2022 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its stylish design, which stood in stark contrast to the original Encore, often referred to as "the shoe" by GM insiders. The Encore GX had well-proportioned lines and came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence. Buyers could opt for the racy-looking Sport Touring (ST) package across all trims. The SUV offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter for FWD and a 1.3-liter available for both FWD and AWD. Pricing ranged from $24,200 to $30,600, with our test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine, priced at $35,065 after options and destination charges. Despite its high price, Buick offered significant discounts for GM customers and attractive lease deals for non-GM owners.

The interior of the 2021 Encore GX provided expected quality for a small SUV, though it wasn't as refined as the exterior. The analog gauges were hard to read, and the head-up display (HUD) vibrated on anything but smooth pavement. The cabin had some visibility issues with the fuel gauge indicator lights in direct sunlight. Overall, the Encore GX's interior lacked the refinement expected for its price, especially compared to its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Trailblazer.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX shared a strong family resemblance with the original Encore, featuring Buick's trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length made it look less stubby. The SUV was particularly attractive with the optional Sport Touring (ST) appearance package, which added body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge. New for 2022 were extra-cost exterior paint options, including Cinnabar Metallic, Sapphire Metallic, Sunset Glow Metallic, and Rosewood Metallic.

Inside, the 2022 Encore GX had a five-passenger cabin with soft-touch materials and minimal hard plastic. Cloth seats were standard on base models, while leather seats were standard on the top Essence trim. Our test vehicle featured heated seats in Whisper Beige leather with Ebony accents, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and straightforward controls and instrumentation. The rotary toggles embedded in the steering wheel spokes were a minor inconvenience, but overall, the interior was user-friendly and attractive.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm, providing adequate acceleration for the 3,000-lb. SUV. The more powerful 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 hp at 5,600 rpm and 174 lb-ft of torque at just 1,600 rpm. The 1.3-liter engine was available with both FWD and AWD, while the 1.2-liter was limited to FWD. The FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Despite the turbocharged engines, the 2021 Encore GX's driving experience was described as adequate. The FWD test car's ride quality was inconsistent, feeling brittle over poorly maintained roads and bouncy over bumps. Buick's QuietTuning efforts were not entirely successful, as the cabin was not particularly quiet. The Encore GX handled well on winding roads, but its overall lack of refinement was noticeable, especially given its premium-brand positioning. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX also offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter unit producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine making 155 hp. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter was standard on the top Essence trim and available as an option on the lower trims. FWD was standard across all trims, with AWD available as an option. FWD models used a CVT, while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT in the 2022 Encore GX provided a capable powertrain, though it was a bit buzzy and harsh. The engine stop/start feature was somewhat annoying, but it could be overridden. The ride quality was not as settled as expected from a Buick, and the cabin was noisier than anticipated. Despite Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technologies, noise, vibration, and harshness levels were intrusive. The CVT, however, did not drone, which was a positive aspect. The 2022 Encore GX handled well on gravel driveways and dirt patches, but it was not designed for off-roading.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position with supportive front seats, though they lacked lateral bolstering. The test vehicle featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and a low, flat seat cushion. The rear seatback was reclined at an odd angle, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The test vehicle had a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its small size, provided a comfortable and easy-to-live-with interior. Ingress and egress were effortless, and the controls were clearly marked and legible. The elevated ride height offered excellent visibility, aided by the optional rear camera mirror. Front-seat headroom and legroom were more than adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. The cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Encore GX could accommodate items up to eight feet in length with the front passenger seat and rear seats folded flat. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, with an adjustable maximum height for easier access.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence came equipped with an infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Buick Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls. The test vehicle also had a navigation system, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera, thanks to the Advanced Technology Package. Wireless smartphone charging was included in the optional Convenience Package. Despite the added packages, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response, impressive voice recognition, and a simple interface.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered decent tech for the price, with a standard Buick infotainment system featuring an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, Buick Connected Services with a built-in WiFi hotspot, front and rear USB ports, OnStar telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A navigation system was available on Select and Essence trims, along with built-in Amazon Alexa capability. The test vehicle had a basic audio system, despite its tech-related options. The Advanced Technology package added HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a memory card receptacle. The Convenience package included automatic parking assist with braking, wireless phone charging, a rear camera mirror and washer, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The infotainment system was intuitive and user-friendly, with easy Bluetooth pairing and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on the Preferred trim and standard on Select and Essence trims. Adaptive cruise control was available, along with Teen Driver technology and a Tire Fill Alert system. The adaptive cruise control's stop-and-go function required manual resumption after a few seconds, and finding the right distance-management setting was challenging. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested it.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX also came standard with several driver assistance features, including Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system. The Encore GX performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection, frontal and side crash protection, and four stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded the 2022 Encore GX "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The top Essence trim received an "Acceptable" rating for its LED headlights, while the Preferred and Select trims received a "Marginal" rating for their halogen headlights. The Encore GX earned "Superior" ratings for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.