Connected Compact Convenience
Buick is in an interesting spot. For the millennial market, it’s hard not to associate the name with the velour-lined plush sedans many of our grandparents drove. The Buick of today doesn’t go down that path, however. Laden with tech and convenience like an onboard WiFi hotspot, it’s clear Buick is making an effort to shed that geriatric association. But is it enough?
The Encore GX isn’t the same thing as the Encore, despite what its name might have you believe. In Buick’s crossover/SUV lineup, it falls right in between the petite Encore and the mid-size Envision. It’s a pretty conventional looking compact crossover, and is one of the rare few vehicles to still feature a portion of amber lenses in the taillights. Not a complaint, mind you. It’s kind of nice to see something different in a segment where differentiating between different offerings from different manufacturers can be a struggle. We also like the chrome accents extending through the front grill and the flying buttress-esque chrome line extending from the A-pillar to the rear.
Inside, the Encore is a nice place to be. The cabin is roomy, well laid out and comfortable. The layout is premium, cleanly designed and easy to navigate. GM’s infotainment system is intuitive and simple enough to understand. We would have liked if the centre armrest could slide forward, or was extended so more than our elbows could reach it. Aside from a few areas with hard plastics, there’s not much to fault on the Encore. We loved the additional creature comforts like built in Amazon Alexa, the wireless charging pad, available onboard WiFi and the ability to pair more than one phone to the car’s Bluetooth system. As a daily commuter, this has a lot to offer. Shell out a little extra and you can get some gems like park assist and a panoramic sunroof too.
Powering the Encore GX is an unusual choice of engine – a 1.3L turbocharged 3-cylinder unit paired to a 9-speed. It’s not exactly a pushover, generating a healthy 155 horses, but it’s not going to kick you back into your seat or give you a thrilling exhaust note. But that said, does one really expect to see that in a compact crossover for daily commuting? A 4-cylinder option would be most welcome – especially since the smaller Encore has one (although it does make less power.) Drivers should expect a degree of torque steer (the vehicle pulling to the left or right on acceleration) but we didn’t find it too intrusive.
So is the Encore GX worth it? If you can look past the image of a velour bench seat with soft suspension, this little crossover makes a compelling case for itself. There’s a lot to like and very little to take away from what is a good package, even if it might be (in some buyers’ eyes) a cylinder short. Where we get a little hung up though – is the price. Starting at just over $26,000, the Encore GX is good value. But shell out for options like those featured on our tester and that cost gets uncomfortably close to $40,000. At that point, you can buy into more powerful and luxurious options from the likes of Audi or Cadillac. Of course, those features are exactly as we said – optional. Even if you don’t shell out all the way, the Encore GX is a strong, smart and stylish contender and shouldn’t be overlooked.
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