First introduced to the North American market at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show last month, the new Buick Encore GX hit the U.S. following a global debut at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show earlier in 2019. Now, we’re getting a look at the fresh crossover offering as it explores stateside roadways beyond the showroom floor.
In fact, our photographers managed to capture two examples of the new Buick Encore GX, one of which was finished in white, and the other of which was finished in red. Neither example appears to be equipped with the Sport Touring Package, which adds a number of unique aesthetic touches such as lower body-color trim and red grille accenting.
For reference, the new Buick Encore GX rides on GM’s VSS-F vehicle set platform, and slots in between the “regular” Buick Encore and the Buick Envision with regard to the Buick model cadence. This in-between sizing essentially makes the Encore GX a “subcompact-plus” model – that is, bigger than a standard subcompact B-segment CUV, but smaller than a C-segment compact crossover.
The Buick Encore GX has two engines on offer, both of which are turbocharged inline three-cylinders. The lineup includes the 1.2L LIH and the 1.3L L3T. Output from the 1.2L LIH is rated at 137 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, while the 1.3L L3T produces 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. While the LIH is exclusively mated to the MRG continuously variable transmission, the L3T comes with the MRG for FWD models, and the GM nine-speed automatic for AWD models.
U.S. models also come standard with a variety of active safety tech features, such as Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam headlamps with automatic high/low beams.
To note, the new Buick Encore GX will be sold in both the North American and Chinese market.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Buick Encore news, Buick news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
It looks fine, but it could be anything. Very generic.
I really like the look of the Encore GX. It’s not an exciting car but one I would enjoy owning.
the new mazda cx30 costs less, has a 4(not 3) cylinder engine with 50HP more, and looks better inside/out.
gm’s marketing people will have to earn their keep with this one.
@steve:
Either you, like me, are a Mazda sales person or you are a Mazda fan of sorts. Either way, your bias towards Mazda is quite obvious if not misguided.
I actually drove the new CX30 yesterday. Have you driven one yet? So a couple things: First, may I ask where you have seen the pricing on the new Encore GX? I have not seen any pricing as of today, so how can you say the CX30 is cheaper? Second, although you are 100% correct in that the CX30 has more HP, that doesn’t always translate into what may be better. My 2018 Encore has the lower HP 1.4L (with less HP and torque than both the new 1.2 and 1.3L) and in real world driving it is better than the rather fuel-thirsty 2.5L in the Mazda. Lastly, you say the CX30 is better looking both inside and out than the GX. That is an opinion correct? Although I think the CX30 is better looking than many others out there, IMO it is not better looking than the GX. Especially on the inside and the huge black plastic panels (nearly 1/3 of the side of the car) on the CX30 do nothing to give it an upscale look. I will say that I certainly liked the drive of the CX30, but it has a long way to go to match up against this new Encore GX.
car and driver has the encore gx will start at $25K.
https://www.caranddriver.com/buick/encore-gx
that is $3K more for a 3 cylinder tubo-charged engine pumping out only 137HP. for $25K i think consumers expect more. and when it comes to reliability, i’ll take a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder over a 3 cylinder turbo any day.
i haven’t driven the cx30. i read what the auto journalists are saying and reporting. i haven’t read one bad review. it takes the excellent mazda 3 and jacks it up a few inches to give the public what it wants.
as far as looks, that is my opinion. i love the mazda kodo design. it is jaguar-esque. the interior is audi-esque.
as far as buicks, they are basically re-skinned chevys with a sprinkle of chrome and a nicer interior. and with the departure of opel, that will be even more true.
i’m not in the auto business. but i am thinking of throwing a few bucks mazda’s way and investing. i think their great engineering/design will pay off.
inevitably, there will be a comparison that will involve the cx30 and encore. i would be eager to bet anyone that the cx30 comes out on top. would you say the same about the encore?
I would find it difficult to believe that the Buick would start $5,000 higher than the Chevrolet cousin. Chevrolet has announced the Trailblazer will start at $19,995. But let’s wait and see what the Encore GX does start at. And the CX30 lowest price model starts at $22,990. So it wouldn’t be 3K more.
We no longer live in the 70’s and technology is with the smaller engines with turbo. The fact that Mazda, being the company of Zoom, Zoom doesn’t offer a turbo unless you pony up well over $30,000 for a vehicle is a little old fashioned. Usable power is better than just a number. But I will hold my opinion on the new 3 cyl. engines until I drive them. As I stated, I have driven a cx30 yesterday and it does drive very well.
The Mazda is attractive. I just think they missed the boat by a large amount when deciding to go with so much cheap black plastic on the sides and bumpers. It is my opinion that the Buick looks much better on both outside and inside (yes, I spend a long time at the Buick display at the LA auto show). Making the old worn-out comment that the Buick is nothing more than a tarted up Chevy needs to be updated. So a Lexus is nothing more than a tarted up Toyota. Acura a tarted up Honda. Infiniti a tarted up Nissan. At least Mazda has been it’s own for quite some time, but I’m sure Toyota’s merger/infusion into Mazda will make them less unique. I hope not, but I am not a fan of what Toyota does!
Lastly, I hope they do a direct comparison of several vehicles including the CX30 and Encore GX. And yes, based on my experience with Buick and my Encore, I do feel it will come out the winner. But who knows.
right, the cx30 starts at $21900 but including destination, it is $22990. so the difference is about $2000 or 10%.
simple question, with their current lineups, has buick ever beaten mazda in a comparison? i doubt it. car and driver has the cx5 and cx9 as the best suv’s in their respective categories for 2019-2020.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g27257734/best-suvs/
from the reviews, the black cladding on the cx30 has been the main knock on it. it is a bit thick and a valid criticism but i don’t think it is a deal breaker.
the toyota joint venture(not merger) doesn’t mean they’ll be co-developing products like the z4/supra anytime soon. the factory will be on-line in 2021 so obviously there won’t be any dna mixing between the two companies immediately but who knows what will happen 5,10 years from now.
yes, a lot of acuras are basically re-skinned hondas and that why that brand is in the dumps. however, the latest rdx has been a success because it is truly more than a really nice cr-v. i think acura has learned their lesson and going forward their new products will be a lot more compelling.
lexus may be re-skinned toyotas but they do an excellent job differentiating their lines because customers are willing to pay a nice premium.
mazda is going up market at least in design and not price. and as far as i’m concerned, they’ve already passed buick. if buick wants to consider itself a premium brand, it shouldn’t be stuffing 3 cylinder engines in their vehicles.
So Steve, you are certainly a Mazda/Japanese brand fan. Got it. I sold Honda’s for 12 years along side Buick’s and I will never buy a Honda. Buick is a far better brand than Honda and if you look at the real data (not some comparison by a car magazine) from JD Power or others, you will see how well Buick does. Mazda is not even close to where Buick is at and I’ll stand by that 100%. I’ve sold them both. I’ve driven thousands of miles in brand new Mazda’s and they are not a Buick. I’ve owned this 2018 Encore for 2 years and flawless, unlike the many Mazda’s I sell that come back in for one issue after another (again, look at JD Power for a better understanding). I and my family back in IL have owned many
Buick’s over the years, never any big issues and seldom any small ones. Buick has and does do a great job of making their brand vehicles stand out well above most Chevrolet models that are similar. I’ll stop there however, because you are an import person who must live and die by the sword. It’s like arguing with a drunk, you will never win.
Let’s hope Toyota doesn’t bastardize Mazda! The main thing that has kept Mazda in a good place is that they have not been eating the Honda/Toyota cheapening down cookies. Although not a merger, Toyota may be getting too much into the Mazda heads and that’s not good.
Lastly, I will address your comment about if Buick has ever beaten Mazda in a comparison. Funny you bring that up. In numerous Mazda training programs put on my Mazda, they have compared to numerous other import brands. Yet, they never place a GM or Chrysler or Ford product in there. They won’t because they know they won’t win over something such as a Buick. I’ve been there and spoken with them and they are too arrogant to think they compare to something as lowly as a GM product. But I would put any Buick up against any Mazda any day and I know that in a fair and impartial comparison that Buick would win hands down.
yeah sure. enjoy your 3 cylinders.
lol. JFB.
Looks handsome. Definitely will be a big hit for Buick.