Buick Encore GX Sales Remain Mid-Pack During Q4 2022

Buick Encore GX sales decreased in the United States but increased in Canada during the fourth quarter of 2022.

Buick Encore GX Sales - Q4 2022 - United States

In the United States, Buick Encore GX deliveries totaled 9,052 units in Q4 2022, a decrease of about 10 percent compared to 10,068 units sold in Q4 2021.

During the complete 2022 calendar year, Encore GX sales decreased about 53 percent to 33,348 units.

Buick Encore GX Sales - Q4 2022 - Canada

In Canada, Buick Encore GX deliveries totaled 1,510 units in Q4 2022, an increase of about 31 percent compared to 1,152 units sold in Q4 2021.

During the complete 2022 calendar year, Encore GX sales decreased about 27 percent to 5,091 units.

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

Buick Encore GX sales during the fourth quarter of 2022 placed the premium marque’s entry mid-pack among 20 models in the mainstream subcompact crossover segment when ranked by sales volume. The Honda HR-V took the top spot despite a 28 percent drop in sales to 22,861 units, while the Jeep Compass placed second with a nine percent bump to 19,209 units. The Toyota Corolla Cross took third with a 166 percent jump to 19,145 units. The Chevy Trailblazer (see running Chevy Trailblazer sales), the Encore GX’s corporate cousin and VSS-F platform mate, maintained fourth place with a 17 percent bump to 18,956 units, and the Hyundai Kona moved up to fifth with a four percent slide to 18,314 units.

The Buick Encore GX, the Trailblazer’s platform mate, maintained 11^th place with a 10 percent slip to 9,052 units. The Chevy Trax (see running Chevy Trax sales), the Trailblazer’s corporate cousin and second Chevy entry,  placed 13^th with a 268 percent jump to 4,715 units. The Buick Encore (see running Buick Encore sales), the Trax’s platform mate and the second entry from Buick, placed 18^th with a 209 percent jump to 2,487 units.

Note that Buick fields two entries in this segment, the Encore GX and Encore. The two crossovers are mechanically not related despite carrying the same base name. In fact, the Buick Encore GX slots between the “regular” Buick Encore and Buick Envision in the brand’s vehicle lineup.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q4 2022 - United States

From a segment share standpoint, the Encore GX maintained a five percent share. The HR-V held an 11 percent segment share, down four percentage points year-over-year, while the Compass posted a 10 percent share, up one percentage point. The Corolla Cross also earned a 10 percent share, up seven percentage points, while the Trailblazer posted a nine percent share, up one percentage point. The Kona maintained a nine percent share. Other GM models in the segment fared as follows: the Trax earned a two percent share, down one percentage point, and the Encore held a mere one percent share, up from nil.

The four GM vehicles in the mainstream subcompact crossover segment, the Buick Encore and Encore GX along with the Chevy Trax and Trailblazer, accounted for a cumulative 35,210 deliveries. That was good for a 17 percent segment share, keeping The General in second place in the segment from an overall volume standpoint.

Sales Numbers - GM Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q4 2022 - USA

By comparison, the three Stellantis rivals – the Jeep Compass, Jeep Renegade, and Fiat 500X – saw a cumulative 23,100 deliveries for a combined 12 percent segment share to maintain third place overall.

Sales Numbers - Stellantis Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q4 2022 - USA

Toyota’s Corolla Cross and C-HR saw a combined 20,973 deliveries for an 11 percent segment share for fourth overall.

Sales Numbers - Toyota Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q4 2022 - USA

Meanwhile, Hyundai – with the Kona and Venue – and Kia – with the Seltos, Niro, and Soul – saw a cumulative 62,740 deliveries, which account for a combined 32 percent segment share, commanding nearly a third of all segment sales and the top spot.

Sales Numbers - Hyundai and Kia Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers (With Soul) - Q4 2022 - USA

However, a strong argument can be made that the Kia Soul is not part of the segment in question, but rather competes one segment below based on its size and price point. Removing the Soul from the Hyundai-Kia total nets 49,365 deliveries for a combined 25 percent segment share for a quarter of all segment sales, still at the top.

Sales Numbers - Hyundai and Kia Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers (Without Soul) - Q4 2022 - USA

The mainstream subcompact crossover segment contracted three percent to 200,661 units during Q4 2022, meaning Encore GX sales underperformed the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

Buick Encore GX sales again performed poorly year-over-year in a contested and crowded field of 20 entries, which includes four GM models. Past production issues stemming from the ongoing global semiconductor microchip shortage and other supply chain challenges have resulted in limited inventory of the small crossover, thereby negatively impacting sales of the Encore GX, along with many models across The General’s brands.

We expect Encore GX sales to increase as production and subsequent availability allow. This should be made possible as the “regular” Encore and Trax are discontinued and moved out of the GM Bupeyong plant where the Encore GX and Chevrolet Trailblazer are assembled, thereby giving more production capacity for the new models.

About Encore GX

Buick’s diminutive Encore crossover has been dropped after the 2022 model year, but will be indirectly replaced by a whole new model, the first-ever 2024 Buick Envista as the Tri-Shield brand’s new entry-level crossover. It will slot below the refreshed 2024 Buick Encore GX.

The refreshed 2024 Encore GX features a revised exterior design, an updated interior, the Avenir premium trim level (a first for the Encore GX), and new tech headlined by Buick’s Virtual Cockpit system.

Outside, the 2024 Buick Encore GX incorporates fresh styling cues inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV, as well as drawing obvious similarities to the latest Buick Enclave and Buick Envision. The 2024 Encore GX is also the first model in Buick’s North American lineup to adopt the updated Tri-Shield logo design. Winged LED headlamps are standard across the range, while LED taillights are equipped higher in the range. New 18-inch and 19-inch wheel options are on the table.

The 2024-model-year refresh also introduces the new Encore GX Avenir trim level with exclusive design cues, features, and premium materials, including a unique Avenir grille, unique clear LED taillights, unique 19-inch wheels, chrome body accents, and black carbon metallic body side molding. Leather seating is inside, while a 10-way power driver seat, heated steering wheel, and air ionizer back the trim’s luxurious aspirations.

The refreshed 2024 Encore GX also offers the reimagined ST trim for added sporty appeal, incorporating high-gloss black front and rear bumpers, an optional Black Roof Package, and a flat-bottom steering wheel.

Tech highlights for the refreshed model include the brand’s Virtual Cockpit System, with 19 inches of screen real estate via an 11-inch infotainment screen and 8-inch configurable driver cluster screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, while wireless phone charging is optional.

The Buick Driver Confidence package is standard, including many safety features plus Adaptive Cruise Control.

Standard spec under the hood is the familiar turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH gasoline engine, which is rated at 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the available turbocharged 1.3L I3 L3T gasoline engine is rated at 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional, with front-wheel-drive models equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission, and all-wheel-drive models equipped with the GM 9-speed automatic transmission.

Look for the 2024 Buick Encore GX to start rolling off the line next month, hitting dealers this coming spring. Pricing starts at $26,895, including destination freight charge, for the 2024 Buick Encore GX Preferred trim level. Orders will open up in May.

Last July, J.D. Power released results of its 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), ranking major car brands and models based on consumer feedback. It listed the Buick Encore GX as the best small utility, besting the Buick Encore and Ford Bronco Sport.

The Encore GX refresh and upcoming Envista should eventually boost sales for Buick in the mainstream subcompact crossover segment, and similarly for Chevy with the refreshed Trailblazer and next-gen Trax – only as long as GM can build enough units to meet demand. Even now The General places second in the segment from an overall sales volume standpoint, so things already look pretty good and seem like they can only go up from here.

About The Numbers

• All percent change figures compared to Buick Encore GX sales for Q4 2021, unless noted otherwise
• In the United States, there were 78 selling days for Q4 2022 and 78 selling days for Q4 2021
• GM Q4 2022 sales reports:
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