2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 model year marks a turning point in the Buick Legacy.  Following the overwhelming consumer demand for crossovers and SUVs, Buick has cut cars from its catalog. There are no more Regals or LaCrosses. In their place, the automaker offers four utility vehicles: Enclave, Envision, Encore GX and Encore. 

The Encore GX debuted for the 2019 model year as a slightly larger sibling to Buick’s smallest crossover, the standard non-GX Encore. Though they (somewhat confusingly) share a name and several styling elements, they are built on different platforms. The Encore GX is 3-inches longer, 1.3-inches wider and rides on a wheelbase 1.6-inches longer. Now in its third year on the market, the GX gets modest updates that include standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, standard SiriusXM satellite radio and the addition of adaptive cruise control to the optional Preferred-trim Safety Package.

Buick offers the 2021 Encore GX in three trims: Preferred ($25,395), Select ($26,995) and Essence ($30,290), all including a $1,495 destination fee but exclusive of any rebates or dealer incentives.

Two turbocharged three-cylinder engines are available for 2021. The standard engine is a 1.2-liter unit rated at 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The available 1.3-liter three-cylinder is a highly recommended $395 upgrade. It develops 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. All front-drive models get a continuously variable transmission, while models equipped with all-wheel drive (a $2000 upgrade) come with a nine-speed automatic gearbox in place of the CVT.

Even with the Encore GX’s modest curb weight—3,273 pounds in its heaviest configuration—neither three-cylinder engine generates enough power to get the crossover moving with any true gusto. The larger 1.3-liter unit develops decent power down low, useful for city driving and darting in and out of traffic. Reaching highway speeds—and passing once there—requires some patience. Neither will win awards for refinement, but Buick’s use of sound-deadening takes the edges off, and the untrained ear will be oblivious.

Opting for all-wheel drive brings the nine-speed automatic transmission, which is a much more pleasant gearbox overall. Continuously variable transmissions have a well-earned reputation for displaying a given engine’s harshest characteristics; it’s not too severe in the Encore GX, but the optional automatic transmission sidesteps it all together.

The Buick’s ride is, well, Buick-like. That means cushy most of the time, but significant road imperfections make themselves known inside the passenger compartment. But unlike the brand’s land-yachts from the previous century, that harshness is a byproduct of a chassis that delivers a modicum of control. And while tight, twisty backroads may not be its forte, it tracks well, and body roll is surprisingly absent. Braking and steering are predictable and solid but unremarkable. 

Fuel economy numbers for front-wheel drive models with the 1.2-liter engine land at 28 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg combined. Front-drive GX models with the larger 1.3-liter engine return 30 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined. Top-of-the-line models with both the larger engine and all-wheel drive are the thirstiest of the bunch, at 26 mpg during city driving, 29 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined.

The GX’s cabin is quiet, roomy and comfortable for a tiny car, and the front passenger seat can fold near-flat for transporting long items, a neat detail. That said, initial impressions indicate build and materials on par with mainstream crossovers such as the Kia Seltos, but not as far north as the premium-brand offerings from Europe and Asia. Even the base Preferred trim carries enough equipment inside for it to feel worth the money. The standard cloth and leatherette upholstery are soft and plush and remain comfortable for long-haul drives. 

Looking at the Encore GX from the outside, it’s tempting to think that the cabin would be cramped, but there’s more than enough room for four adults to ride comfortably. The front seats are deep and supportive, and the GX’s tall roof means there’s plenty of headroom. The back bench seat is flat and could use more padding, but head and legroom are nearly as generous as they are in front.

The Cargo area is also surprising, the Encore GX offering 23.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a total of 50.2 cubic feet with rear seats folded. The smaller Encore comes in at 18.8 and 48.4 cubes, respectively; the boxy Kia Seltos, in comparison, offers 26 and 62 cubic feet despite measuring less than an inch longer than the Encore GX’s 171.4-inch overall length. 

With the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment, the GX has become a tech standout in the subcompact crossover space. Even the base audio system offers high-quality, and Buick’s rock-solid sound insulation helps the stereo deliver clear sound at any volume. The standard eight-inch infotainment touchscreen is the right size for the GX’s interior, and its position high in the center stack makes it easily visible and usable from either front seat. General Motors’ infotainment software has improved dramatically in recent years, and Buick’s system has benefitted from that progress. It’s colorful, responsive, and easy to use when the vehicle is in motion for reduced distraction and time spent without eyes on the road.

A decent list of standard advanced driver aids makes its way into the Encore GX line for 2021. Standard kit includes lane keep assist with lane departure warning, LED daytime running lamps, forward collision warning, a following distance indicator system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a rearview camera and GM’s OnStar Connected Services suite. In addition, several other features are available, including rear cross-traffic alerts, an HD surround-view camera system, parking sensors, blind spot monitors and more. 

Even with all that gear, the Encore GX missed out on a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The safety organization rated the Buick Good in all crash-test categories except for small overlap front passenger side crashworthiness, where it earned an Acceptable score. The GX’s headlights were rated Marginal, and vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention was scored as Basic when the vehicle is equipped with optional safety tech. It did receive an overall five-star rating from the NHSTA, scoring five stars in all criteria except for rollover protection, where it earned a four-star rating.