Buick has given the Encore GX a mid-cycle refresh, introducing sportier and high-end trim levels for the 2024 model year. The Encore GX, Buick’s new entry-level vehicle, has become the brand’s segment volume leader after the base-model Encore went out of production in November 2023. The vehicle’s styling is more premium and has been updated with cosmetic changes and a better infotainment system.
The interior also received an update with a new Virtual Cockpit System and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2024 Buick Encore GX also becomes the first production model to adopt some of the styling cues of the Buick Wildcat EV concept, and the first Buick to wear the new tri-colored and illuminated tri-shield logo.
The Encore GX’s carryover engines are the standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder and the Avenir’s and ST’s 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, which have been tuned to improve fuel economy slightly. The vehicle is set to be available in North America at the end of May 2023.
Buick’s new entry-level model
Buick’s latest offering is the 2024 Encore GX, which gets a mid-cycle refresh, new sportier and high-end trim levels, and a price drop. The model became the segment’s volume leader in its first year, as the more affordable base model, Encore, went out of production. The new entry-level model has been updated with cosmetic changes and a better infotainment system, making it an attractive business model for the company. Pricing for the new Encore GX starts at $26,895, which is $300 less than the outgoing model, in a bid to make it an affordable option in a world where there are fewer choices costing less than $30,000.
Exterior and Interior Updates
The Encore GX has undergone a refreshing update, including some of the styling cues of the Buick Wildcat EV concept. The new model has a new front end with high-mounted LED headlights, a forward-leaning shark nose, and a new tri-colored and illuminated tri-shield logo. The interior has been updated with a new Virtual Cockpit System, which gives the driver an 8.0-inch display and an 11.0-inch center screen. The ambience has also been given a bump from a new quilting pattern on the seats, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been added.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Subcompact SUV |
| Base Price | $26,895 |
| Engine | 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder (127 hp, 162 lb-ft) |
| 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder (155 hp, 174 lb-ft) | |
| Transmission | Front-wheel drive with CVT or all-wheel drive with 9-speed AT |
| Fuel Economy | Front-wheel drive: 31/29/30 mpg city/highway/combined |
| All-wheel drive: 29/26/27 mpg city/highway/combined | |
| Infotainment System | 8.0-inch driver display and 11.0-inch center touchscreen |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | |
| Interior | New quilting pattern on seats |
| Virtual Cockpit System with configurable display | |
| Exterior | New front-end design with low mouth and high-mounted headlights |
| Illuminated tri-shield logo and full LED taillights | |
| Avenir and ST trims with unique styling features | |
| Safety | Automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more |
Engine and Fuel Economy
The 2024 Buick Encore GX’s carryover engines are the standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder and the Avenir’s and ST’s 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, which have been tuned to improve fuel economy slightly. The front-wheel-drive models use a CVT, while the all-wheel-drive versions have a nine-speed automatic transmission. The front-drive Encore GX will get an estimated 31/29/30 mpg city/highway/combined, while the AWD will likely get 29/26/27 mpg.
Trim Levels
The Encore GX offers two new trim levels for the 2024 model year: the Encore Avenir and the Encore GX ST. The Avenir boasts body-color moldings and mirror caps, a chrome mesh grille, and exclusive pearl-nickel finish wheels. The ST has 18- and 19-inch blacked-out wheels, gloss black bumpers, an optional black roof package, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. The new range introduces a new hue, Ocean Blue, headlining a selection of youthful colors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2024 Buick Encore GX subcompact crossover is an update to the popular Encore lineup, which includes a refresh, new trim levels, and reduced pricing. While there aren’t any major changes under the hood, the Encore GX retains its standard 1.2-liter and 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engines, although they have been tuned for slightly better fuel economy. The most significant upgrades are in the exterior styling, with the new front end, full LED taillights, and the adoption of the Buick Wildcat EV concept styling cues.
Inside, the Encore GX features the new Virtual Cockpit System, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a new quilting pattern on the seats. The infotainment system now has an 8.0-inch display and an 11.0-inch center screen, both under a single piece of glass in a new instrument panel.
The Encore GX lineup now includes a new Avenir trim level with body-color moldings and mirror caps, chrome mesh grille, and exclusive pearl-nickel finish wheels. The Encore GX ST trim features blacked-out wheels, gloss black bumpers, and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
Overall, the 2024 Buick Encore GX subcompact crossover is a stylish and practical SUV that offers a good balance of fuel efficiency, performance, and features at a reasonable price point. It’s an attractive option for those looking for a small SUV with a premium feel, and with the new updates and trims, it’s even more appealing.