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Buick Encore GX Makes Its North American Debut In LA

The Buick Encore GX has made its North American debut at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show after first being shown at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year.

We’ve already covered the Encore GX and its various features quite extensively, however General Motors has released some new information on the subcompact crossover in LA. The automaker has provided fuel economy estimates for both the 1.2-liter base engine and optional 1.3-liter engine, with the turbocharged three cylinders both returning 31 mpg combined per GM’s own estimate.

As a reminder, the turbocharged 1.2-liter LIH three-cylinder is rated at 137 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque and will be mated to a CVT automatic in the Encore GX. Meanwhile, the turbocharged 1.3-liter L3T three-cylinder, meanwhile, will be paired to the CVT in front-wheel-drive models and the GM nine-speed automatic in all-wheel-drive models. The 1.3-liter engine is good for 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The 31-mpg fuel economy estimate is likely for front front-wheel-drive models only, though GM did not specify.

Additionally, GM has confirmed the Buick Encore GX will go on sale at U.S. Buick dealers in early 2020. Pricing has not yet been announced and will be released closer to the vehicle’s arrival at dealers.

A number of active safety features will also come standard on all U.S.-spec Encore GX models, including Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Brake, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator and IntelliBeam headlamps with automatic adjusting high and low beams.

The Buick Encore GX rides on GM’s VSS-F platform and slots in between the Buick Encore and Buick Envision in the brand’s portfolio. This makes it a “subcompact-plus” entry, as it is larger than a typical subcompact B-segment CUV like the Encore, but smaller than a C-segment compact crossover like the Envision.

“Premium SUV buyers are looking for features that fit their lifestyle priorities, and Buick is giving customers more segment choices with our new Encore GX,” said Buick brand boss Duncan Aldred. “As we look to the future of Buick, and customer demand trends, our four-SUV portfolio puts us in a strong competitive position across the most popular SUV segments.”

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. If you replaced the Buick logo a with Bow Tie….You couldn’t tell the difference in traffic.

    Reply
    1. Do you say that with Toyota, Ford, and Volks Wagon also?

      Reply
  2. Where is this one assembled?

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    1. South Korea

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    2. Korea, same basic vehicle as the Chev Trailblazer. The Chev version will list for just under $20,000 for the smaller 1.2 liter engine and only a CVT transmission. Actually i like it as it’s bigger than the Chev Trax, which is odd looking IMO. The 1.5 liter 4 cylinder turbo as was used in other GM vehicles has about the same power as the optional 3 cylinder engine with 1.3 liters. It will sell better than the Trax, because it doesn’t look chopped off at the backside.

      Reply
      1. I wasn’t aware that the Trax will have a version of the GX? The Trax though not my cup of tea is a good looking vehicle otherwise as sales dictates!

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  3. At the very least , why not an updated 1.5 T from the Malibu as a range topping powerplant?

    Reply
    1. Possibly because its frame structure would not allow?

      Reply
  4. I read that there are a lot of problems with the Enclave & complaints from consumers! That’s too bad because I was thinking about it for our next vehicle.

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  5. We had a 2019 one of these as a rental and frankly don’t get the appeal. The 138hp 1.4 was noisy and sluggish, especially on the highway with our feet often buried into the floorboard to keep pace with traffic on any kind of hill. The rear hatch area is useless without the rear seats folded down but when you do that front seat legroom diminishes. The cheap driver seat only flop down armrest looks like an afterthought and the center storage is very lacking. The ride was good and handling kind of top heavy feeling and frankly its kind of ugly.

    This new one seems to correct the styling some and hopefully the interior is better but i’m having serious doubts on the base 137 hp 3 banger for both power and NVH characteristics. Guess we are just fans of larger sized vehicles.

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  6. nope not for me is a foreign car not built by AMERICAN workers

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  7. Wondering where pricing will end up on this. Currently, a full loaded AWD Encore has an MSRP of over $35k, which is absurd. Obviously, nobody pays that with GM’s “XX% off MSRP” fire sales, but it’s still ridiculous that it’s priced so high in the first place.

    Also, while I think it’s handsome, it could be anything. Like the rest of Buick’s lineup, with the possible exception of the Enclave, there is nothing that sets it apart as a Buick.

    Reply
  8. Beautiful car inside and out, Buick’s interiors are looking more premium than before. This is going to sell well. And I think this will be my next car, either this or the new TrailBlazer. I used to drive a Trax but it is too narrow for my taste while the Equinox I currently drive is nice but I don’t need all that space. Good on GM from providing more options in the CUV market.

    Reply
  9. If this car would appear on roads in Germany, people would at first sight as a new Opel.

    The front displays the same features which Opel presented several months ago as their new design language: the compass, as they called it.

    A horizontal line formed by these bars looking like hockey bats, and a vertical one formed by the sharp center fold or crease on the hood which extends to below the grille.

    Only on second look people will discover that there is no lightning in the circle at the cross’ center, but 3 shields.

    Reply

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