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What do our experts think of the 2023 Buick Encore GX? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s new for the 2023 Buick Encore GX?
The 2023 Buick Encore GX is still in its first generation. For this year it gets a new paint color called Moon Greystone Metallic and continues to include two engine choices and either FWD or AWD.
2023 Buick Encore GX – media.buick.com | Shop 2023 Buick Encore GX on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Very fuel efficient
Above average tech
Large cargo space
Weak engines
Loud interior
Pricey
Give us more power
2023 Encore GX Specs
- 137 horsepower from base engine
- 162 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 23.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 50.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Available 360-degree HD camera
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- 4-year limited warranty
2023 Buick Encore GX Powertrain
The 2023 Buick Encore comes with front wheel drive but AWD is available on all three trims. The bottom two trims come with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine It develops 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. A larger 1.3-liter engine makes 155 hp and is available on the mid-level Select trim and standard on the top-level Essence trim. Both engines feed power to the wheels via a continuously variable transmission and neither powertrain is particularly satisfying.
137 hp is one of the smallest figures available in the US market. It and the 155 hp engine are just too weak to do much more than move the Encore GX around the world at a drab pace. Sprinting from 0-60 mph takes nearly 10 full seconds. It would be great to see Buick use the 1.5-liter engine from the old Encore or even a traditional automatic with real gears to add a bit of engagement. At the same time, we’re not sure that it would have the same efficiency then.
2023 Buick Encore GX Fuel Economy & MPG
The Encore GX might not have inspiring powertrains but it’s certainly very fuel efficient. The 1.2-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Go for the 1.3-liter engine and you’ll get up to 29 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. Adding AWD and those figures drop to 26 and 29 respectively.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Despite a relatively short roof line, the Encore GX offers solid passenger space including decent headroom and legroom for both rows of seats. Sadly, the seats themselves are somewhat stiff which takes away from the vehicle’s luxury aspirations. The cabin itself looks surprisingly posh though and that’s great news because it has serious competition in the sub-compact crossover game.
We love the climate control system which is powerful and quiet. Sadly, the cabin itself isn’t nearly as quiet as we expected it would be. The small engines both make a lot of noise and despite ‘active noise cancellation’ as a standard feature, the Encore GX allows noise from the tires and the outside world in quite readily.
There are features we love though. Cargo space is copious. With both rows installed, there are more than 23 cubic feet of space behind them. Drop those seats and you’ll have more than 50 cubes to fill with gear and cargo. That’s not wildly far from the larger Buick Envision.
Entertainment & Technology
The Encore gets an 8-inch infotainment system at the core of its technology center. It’s large for a vehicle of this size and it’s one of the best to use too. We like how fast it is and how easy it is to use. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity are standard features as well for those who prefer them. The six-speaker sound system is surprisingly good too.
Those who want more tech can get it in the form of a digital rearview mirror, a heads-up display, and a high-def 360-degree camera system. Additionally, Buick offers a quartet of USB power points and a household-style charger too. The optional integrated navigation system is fast and easy to use as well. The Encore is one of the most impressive cars in the segment in terms of technology.
Safety Features
Buick imbues the Encore GX with standard driver aids like lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and forward collision mitigation. Those who want more features like parking sensors, adaptive cruise, or more will have to pay extra for it. The Encore GX scored five stars in NHTSA crash testing. It’s also a Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS.
2023 Buick Encore GX Trims & Pricing
Preferred – $27,195
The base model of the Encore GX comes with 18-inch wheels, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, active noise cancellation, heated mirrors, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, both cloth and faux leather upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, six speakers, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Safety equipment includes lane-departure mitigation, automatic high beams, and forward collision mitigation. Buyers can add a safety package that includes adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. They can also add heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and remote start with a Cold Weather package.
Select – $28,595
The mid-level trim of the Encore GX gets a rear armrest, dual-zone automatic climate control, roof rails, and the features of the Cold Weather package.
Essence – $31,795
The top trim gets leather upholstery, a household-style power outlet, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED headlights, an in-cabin air ionizer, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and driver’s seat memory settings.
Buyers can also add a heads-up display, a 360-degree HD camera, and integrated navigation with the Advanced Tech package. The Convenience package gets an automated parking system, automatic wipers, and a rearview camera integrated into the rearview mirror.
Warranties
Buick offers an above average warranty package with the Encore GX. It includes a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty. The very first maintenance visit is covered as well.
What we think
2023 Buick Encore GX – buick.com | Shop 2023 Buick Encore GX on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Buick Encore GX is one of the most luxurious sub-compact SUVs on the market. At the same time, it’s under-powered and not as quiet or comfortable as we’d like for the cash. On top of that, a number of rivals offer better value. To that end we’d suggest interested buyers either look for great new car incentives or even a used Buick Encore before picking one up at full price.
