2023 Buick Encore GX SUV

There are a total of three trims available for the 2023 Buick Encore GX - Preferred, Select and Essence. However, there are two drivetrains, FWD and AWD available for each of the trims and two distinct engine sizes of 1.2L and 1.3L offer a lot of variation for the model. The prices change according to the choice of your trim, engine size, and the drivetrain, and the Preferred trim with a 1.2L engine with an FWD is considered the base trim in this case. Each trim comes with a lot of features like cloth or leather upholstery, heated seats, and a steering wheel as well as an attractive infotainment unit. 

Packages

• Buick Interior Protection Package
• Road Trip Package
• Trailering Package
• Active Lifestyle Package
• Appearance Package
• Cold Weather Comfort Package
• Safety Package II
• Black Roof Package
• Hands-Free Power Liftgate Package
• Sport Touring Package
• Convenience Package
• Advanced Technology Package

We Recommend

There are several options to choose from while purchasing the 2023 Buick Encore GX but to make it easier for you, we recommend the Select trim with 1.3L engine and an AWD drivetrain. It has all the necessary features and a slightly advantageous engine and drivetrain. For the packages, however, the Appearance Package and Safety Package II can be great additions but you can choose according to your necessities and preferences as well. 

Release Date

The 2023 Buick Encore GX went into production back in Spring 2022 and it is already available in the US market with different build options and specific price tags. 

The 2023 Buick Encore GX does not possess a punchy engine to boast about power and torque output but it certainly has satisfactory acceleration. The 1.2L turbocharged I-3 engine is only capable of generating a power of 137 hp and it offers a maximum torque of 162 lb.-ft. The FWD drivetrain coupled with a 1-speed CVT offers smooth riding and swift shifting of gears. The acceleration of the Buick SUV might not seem very impressive in the competitive market but it does the job for the Encore GX. The time taken to complete a one-quarter mile is around 17 seconds and it is not a prime example for an SUV either. The higher trims with bigger engines and AWD are able to provide comparatively better power and performance but they also come with higher price tags. 

The competitors in the engine segment have different engines and the largest one is equipped by Kia Seltos which has a 2.0L naturally aspirated I-4. The Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, has a 1.6L turbocharged I-4 that offers the best power and torque output in the market. The Hyundai also has the best 0 to 60 MPH acceleration and takes the least time to cover a quarter mile. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has a naturally aspirated I-3 engine but it is capable of offering the joint top speed figure with the Kona Limited SUV. 

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling experience from the Buick Encore GX is satisfactory despite its smaller engine size. The 1.2L and the 1.3L turbocharged engine produced less power and torque compared to many rivals but the subcompact SUV comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT ensures that the gear transmission is smooth and the driver has effective control of the speed of the vehicle. The optional AWD also offers better riding performance on rough terrains and braking efficiency allows improved control as well. The MacPherson Strut suspension in the front and the Compound Crank suspension in the rear ensure that the riding is smooth for the passenger irrespective of the road the SUV is being driven on. The front and back shock absorbers and the anti-roll bars play a significant role in maintaining the stability of the Buick Encore GX. 

Braking Performance

The braking performance is equally substandard like the power output of the engine which makes sense because the 2023 Buick SUV does not crave dynamic braking abilities. The Encore GX implements electrically powered disc brakes in all its wheels and at the same time, the anti-lock braking system is included. The curb weight of the car is 3025 lbs which is pretty low for an SUV and the brake rotors are sufficient in this case. Automatic emergency braking and pedestrian braking facilities are also available in packages that can improve the braking and safety aspects of the subcompact SUV. 

The Hyundai Kona comes with the heaviest body of 3,161 lbs but the rest of the competitors are only slightly lighter. However, the Kona Limited SUV brings the largest brake rotors to justify its braking capabilities. The Chevy Trailblazer has slightly smaller brake rotors but the lowest curb weight of the SUV makes it certain that the Trailblazer ACTIV has better braking efficiency. The braking distance evidently states so as it takes only 121 ft for the Chevrolet to reach from 60 MPH to a complete stop compared to the Hyundai’s 129 ft. 

The fuel economy is definitely one of the most significant areas for the Buick Encore GX as it provides good overall mileage and appreciable range as well. The EPA-certified mileage for the Buick subcompact SUV is 29 MPG which is a great figure in the competitive market. However, the mileage on the highway and eventually the combined mileage is not that good. The 13.2 gallons of fuel capacity is a standard size for a subcompact and it results in a satisfactory range as well. It is worth mentioning that the lower stat in mileage on the highway results in a comparatively lower range as well. The larger engine with the 9-speed automatic transmission is able to offer marginally better fuel efficiency with an EPA-certified mileage of 30 MPG on the city streets. 

All four competitors in the fuel economy segment have the same mileage of 29 MPG in the city but the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos have the highest mileage of 35 MPG on the highways. Even the Chevrolet Trailblazer has a better figure of 33 MPG than the Buick. The fuel capacity of the rivals is the exact same as the Encore GX and it results in having the same city range for all of them. However, the range in highways is different with the highest figure for Kona limited, and the Kia and the Chevy are a little better than the Buick. 

If you are expecting optimum luxury from the 2023 Buick Encore GX, you would be rather disappointed as the SUV focuses more on the practical aspects over grandeur. Some upmarket features can still be found on the interior of the Buick SUV like keyless ignition and entry along with a theft-deterrent electronic system to restrict unauthorized entry making it pretty exclusive at its price range. The 4-way power adjustable front seats and the 2-way adjustable headrests come as standard. The cloth and leatherette upholstery can be upgraded to a full leather version for more comfort. There are a lot of standard features that maintain the practicality of the SUV and yet attempt to provide a significant comfort level for the passengers. The cargo space, on the other hand, is a crucial aspect and the Buick Encore GX offers 23.5 cu.-ft behind the rear seat. 

All the competitors are standard 5-seater SUVs and they have more or less similar space available around the seats. The Kia Seltos comes with the largest space for the head in both rows while the Hyundai Kona has the biggest legroom in the front. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has much better legroom in the second row and figures from the Buick SUV compared to its primary rivals are not disadvantageous. The Kia Seltos has the largest cargo area to offer with 26.6 cu.-ft and the Chevrolet is slightly smaller. The Kona Limited offers the smallest trunk capacity with only 19.2 cu.-ft of area. 

• Cloth/Leather Upholstery
• Keyless Ignition
• 4-way Manual/Power-adjustable front seats
• 2-way adjustable headrest
• Adjustable Steering column
• Cruise control

Infotainment System

The infotainment unit of the Buick SUV is rather small which is acceptable because luxury is not its main focus. The subcompact SUV comes with a lot of standard features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility along with basic Wi-Fi and USB facilities. The infotainment system has an 8-inch diagonal unit with a 4.2-inch multi-color screen. The 6-speaker audio system can be upgraded with a 7-speaker Bose Premium Sound System for enhanced performance. SiriusXM offers a Platinum Plan trial subscription increasing the desirability factor of the car. The Buick Connected Access is an exclusive feature and a great addition to the infotainment system as well. 

• 8" diagonal Buick Infotainment System
• 6-speaker audio system
• SiriusXM Radio with a Platinum Plan trial subscription
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto
• Standard USB and Wi-Fi
• Buick Connected Access

The Encore SUV has an exterior that is quite the opposite of the interior as it looks premium and exclusive. The modern and unique design offers a satisfactory road presence and has some excellent features as well. The aggressive front fascia and the stylish headlights give the Buick SUV a great front end. The rear, on the other hand, is subtle and appreciable. The 18-inch alloy wheels look attractive enough and LED daytime running lights are good additions as well. The array of color schemes in its pallet along with the new additions offer great variations for the customers and the overall appearance looks appealing. The well-defined roof rails are practical enough and the standard features like the rain-sensing wipers and rear intermittent wipers serve their purpose efficiently.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is the longest SUV in the competition and it has the biggest figure in height as well. The Hyundai Kona has the smallest length and the lowest ground clearance. The 7.5-inch of ground clearance is the highest for the Buick and the Chevrolet. The Kia Seltos and the Trailblazer have almost the same wheelbase and they are longer than the Buick SUV. Hyundai Kona has a higher curb weight despite its smaller size and the Chevrolet is the lightest even when it has the largest body among the rivals. 

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Powered liftgate
• Heated Mirrors
• Rear Intermittent wipers

The safety aspects of the Buick Encore SUV are not too exclusive but it houses some of the most practical and most important features in this segment. The SUV has achieved five-star ratings in almost all aspects except the roll-over section from the NHTSA authorities. The IIHS has not provided any ratings for the 2023 edition but the previous-year model received excellent scores in all categories including the Top Safety Pick Award. It simply proves how reliable the Buick SUV is and the passengers feel much safer even at high speed. There are some excellent safety features like Forward Collision Alert and Blind-spot monitoring that further improve its safety system. The teen driver system and the OnStar and Buick Connected Services are great additions as well. 

• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning
• Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward Pedestrian Braking System
• OnStar and Buick Connected Services
• Teen driver system

2023 Buick Encore GX Preferred vs. 2023 Hyundai Kona Limited 

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Limited is the stronger competitor here as it houses a slightly bigger engine and offers a much better power output. The acceleration is great and it takes less time for a quarter-mile as well. The braking and handling is quite good for the Hyundai and it has higher fuel economy as well. The interior, however, is not as spacious as the Buick SUV and it certainly has less cargo space. The exterior is stylish but not as attractive as the Buick either. The safety aspects and other important features are there in the Hyundai but it is offered at a higher price which does not make it an easier choice when compared to the Buick Encore GX. 

2023 Buick Encore GX Preferred vs. 2023 Kia Seltos S

The 2023 Kia Seltos S has a bigger engine but the advantage in power output is not too much for the Kia. The 0 to 60 acceleration is slightly better but the maximum torque is lower compared to the Buick. The overall braking efficiency is appreciable and the riding experience is great as well. The fuel economy is better for the Kia as it has higher mileage and range than the Encore GX. The spacious cabin is a huge plus point for the Seltos and it has larger cargo space as well. The exterior is attractive enough and it has a lot of standard and exclusive features in its arsenal. Due to a lower price tag, the Kia Seltos can be opted for instead of the Buick SUV. 

2023 Buick Encore GX Preferred vs. 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV offers an array of features to gain an edge over its competitor and its safety section is almost as impressive as the Buick Encore GX. The Chevrolet, despite having the same engine size and forced induction as the Buick offers slightly better power and torque. The acceleration is almost as good as the Encore GX. The riding experience is considerable and the braking is quite efficient. The fuel economy is only slightly better than the Buick and it has more space available around the seats as well as in the trunk. The Chevrolet has an almost similar price which makes it a better alternative than its rival.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX is definitely a great choice for a subcompact SUV as it comes with a lot of features for both entertainment and safety. However, the focus being more on the important aspects than the entertainment makes it a practical vehicle in the competitive market. The engine performance is not commendable, to be honest, but the ride and handling are definitely appreciable. One can expect all the practical aspects of riding and feel them while driving the Encore GX. The mileage is not too bad but the overall space and trunk capacity might be an issue for the owners. The exterior section comes with a lot of styles and impressive aspects but the safety system is the USP of the Buick SUV. There are other subcompact SUVs in the market that come with better engine performance or more spacious cabins but the practicality of the Buick is unmatched. You can confidently go for the Encore GX for an affordable price but we recommend you also check the competition first before making the decision.