2021 Buick Encore GX

History/Overview

The Buick Encore GX is entering its second year, and don't be confused by the name. This isn't the replacement or an upper trim level for the non-GX Encore, it's a completely different model. One that originally launched in China, but offers a larger and more upscale experience when compared with Encore. While not much larger on the outside, it is on the inside, with the GX, short for Grand Crossover, slotting in between the Encore and Envision.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For just its second year, there are no major changes to the Buick Encore GX, though it gains wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Available Trims

The 2021 Buick Encore GX is offered in Preferred, Select, and Essence trim levels. The former is offered with front-drive (sporting a 1.2L turbo-three cylinder with 137 hp and a CVT) while all trims are offered with AWD and a 155 hp 1.3L turbo-three with a nine-speed automatic.

Standard Features

Even the base Preferred trim offers 10-way power driver seat with heating for both front seats and leatherette trim. 18-inch alloys, remote start, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, with an 8.0-inch infotainment system and satellite radio standard. Proximity keyless entry and push-button start come with the package, and driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and high-beam assist.

Select adds lane change and blind spot alerts, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate.

Essence gets full leather seating and a heated steering wheel as well as an air ionizer, LED headlights, and a 120-volt power outlet. The passenger seat gains power adjustment, and there is an auto-dimming rearview mirror and memory settings for the driver's seat.

Key Options

A Safety Package on Preferred adds adaptive cruise, rear park assist, rear cross traffic alerts, and blind zone alerts. Select and Essence offer an Advanced Technology pack with adaptive cruise, navigation, rear park assist, surround-view camera and head-up display and an Experience Buick package with moonroof and special alloys. Select can have a Convenience Package with automatic wipers, wireless charging, and rear camera mirror with washer fitted while all models can have a Sport Touring package that adds a special grille, bodyside mouldings, red trim, and different wheels.

Fuel Economy

Buick currently has only estimates for the 2021 Encore GX FWD, which should return 8.4 L/100 km city, 7.5 highway. Those show a notable improvement over the 2020 model, so the AWD version may similarly improve over the 9.0/8.0 city/highway estimate from last year.

Competition

The Buick Encore GX competes with the likes of the BMW X1 and X2 as well as the Mercedes-Benz GLA. It also fends against the Mazda CX-30 and top-spec versions of the Honda HR-V as it sits in the premium subcompact crossover market.