Just like the closely related 2021 Chevy Trax, the 2021 Buick Encore subcompact crossover will also do away with its traditional fuel filler cap in favor of a capless setup.
A capless fuel filler system replaces the traditional screw-on cap that many cars featured previously with a small spring-loaded flap in the filler neck. The flap automatically pushes inward when the user goes to insert the fuel nozzle, saving them the trouble of unscrewing a fuel filler cap. The spring-loaded mechanism prevents fumes from evaporating from the fuel tank once the user is done filling up, serving the same purpose as a removable cap.
The majority of GM vehicles now feature capless fuel fill just like the Buick Encore now does, with virtually all of the automaker’s new or redesigned vehicles featuring this design. We imagine it will become more commonplace throughout the industry in the coming years, as capless fuel fill is simpler from a manufacturing standpoint and makes life a little bit easier for vehicle owners. Anyone who has left their gas cap behind on a fuel pump or driven away with it on their roof will be happy to see this feature implemented industry-wide.
The 2021 Buick Encore introduced various minor changes and updates, including the revised turbocharged 1.4L LE2 I4 engine, which replaced the older turbocharged 1.4L LUV four cylinder, as well as the addition of two new exterior colors: Dark Moon Blue Metallic and Cinnabar Metallic. Prices start at $25,795 for the entry-level Essence trim with front-wheel drive, including a $1,195 destination and freight charge. The subcompact crossover is produced alongside the closely related Chevy Trax at the GM Bupyeong plant in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, South Korea.
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Comments
Ok, so I’m confused. Did Buick drop this feature after 2018? My 2018 Encore preferred had the capless system. So either this is wrong reporting or they dropped it after 2018 and are now adding it back in.
I thought perhaps the capless system was only available at a certain trim level in 2018, but you’re right. Capless was standard in 2018. Strange.
Yeah my 2020 Encore has a regular ol’ cap.
Pontoon: Really? Your 2020 does have an actual cap? How strange.
Yep! Regular cap on a plastic tether. It’s a 2020 in the Preferred trim and is the AWD version, if that helps.
My 2019 Encore has the capless system. Are they trying to sell leftovers ?
It may be that the CA emissions models got the capless and Federal got capped. It eliminates the need for a leak monitor with the air pumps and all.
“Anyone who has left their gas cap behind on a fuel pump or driven away with it on their roof will be happy to see this feature implemented industry-wide”…Really, since when the 90’s? Every vehicle I’ve seen in the last 20+ years has a lanyard-retained cap.
My daughter’s Mustang has the capless fuel system, and I can tell you that is the single most trouble-prone item on the vehicle. I’ve heard similar complaints from other over 75K mile vehicle owners. They seem to last just long enough to get through the warranty period then you start getting CES/SES lights, usually right before you were due for annual inspection. A defective fuel cap is soooo easy to replace, wait until you have to replace the entire fuel filler tube assembly THEN tell me how great these capless vehicles are. That $1 GM saved by not having a cap will cost you hundreds, just wait.
I agree. A total POS as far as I am concerned. Damn CFO’s screwing the customer to save a $Dollar! I have it on my ‘18 Grand Sport and have to keep a cloth in back of the exterior door to keep things clean. I have thought about removing the filler pipe and replacing it with a real one that has a cap. It reminds me to hate GM financial every time I get gas.
It’s not saving the cost of the cap, in fact the actual capless valve costs more. Capless eliminates the need under California law to put in a leak detection system that involves a pump that pressurizes the fuel tank that detects a missing cap.
The preferred trim is the base trim,Essence is an upgraded trim usually with a sunroof. Please do some fact checking
I have a capless on my 2019 Camaro and I love it. Can’t say how long it might last. For seniors or anyone else with limited mobility in the fingers and wrist, when arthritis kicks in or tendinosis, turning a gas gap can be bothersome and sometimes very hard to do. If you have gloves on in the winter it is even harder. When you’re young who cares, but whether you like it or not age does creep up on you.
Ford had this in the focus since 2011….
I have a 2021 Buick encore essence that has a gas cap with a tether, they gave me rental that’s a 2019 preferred that has a capless system? I’m confused