The 2026 Buick Encore GX introduces only a handful of modest changes and updates from the previous year as a second-year follow-up to the mid-cycle refresh debuted in 2024. Prices for all trim levels dropped by $100 for the 2026 model year.
Now GM Authority has learned the exact reason for the 2026Â Buick Encore GX’s reduced price – the spare tire kit has been dropped from the list of standard features.
Specifically, for the 2026Â Buick Encore GX the spare wheel and tire (RPO code ZDC), which includes a mechanical jack and tools, will no longer be fitted as standard. Instead, all trim levels of the compact Tri-Shield brand crossover will be equipped with a tire inflator kit (RPO code KTI).
However, buyers can still choose the 16-inch compact spare tire as a factory-installed standalone option, which comes with a mechanical jack and tools for $195. This is tagged with the same RPO code as the previously standard feature and can be ordered on the entry-level Preferred trim, the Sport Touring and the range-topping Avenir trim level.
The 2026 Encore GX also gets a minor change to the available palette of exterior colors. The previously available Cinnabar Metallic (color code GFM) is being retired for 2026, while a new paint color, Brilliant Red (color code GAS), is added to the lineup of hues as an indirect replacement.
For motivation the 2026 Buick Encore GX cradles one of a pair of powerplant choices under the hood. Standard fare consists of the turbocharged 1.2L I3 LBP engine developing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Flex-fuel capability is offered by the LBP engine thanks to its E85 fuel compatibility. Optional is the turbocharged 1.3L I3 L3T engine cranking out 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, offering more power but unable to use E85 fuel.
The GM VSS-F vehicle set provides structure to the compact crossover under the body panels. Start of regular production (SORP) is expected to kick off on April 1st, 2025 at the GM Bupyeong plant in South Korea.
Comments
All to save $100 and then charge $250 or more to put it back.. They couldn’t have possibly found something not safety-related to delete and that’s beyond pathetic.
I just got home from taking my Dad to a dealership to purchase probably his last car. He wanted the Envista, but because of this type of nickel and diming plus non-GM owners get $3k off he said no. He owns 2 GM vehicles which will probably be his last. He ended up buying a 2024 Jeep Compass.
Loyalty is a one-way street. So many older customers, like my Dad too, are extremely loyal to GM but I’ve never seen any indication that GM reciprocates and is loyal to them. Instead they’re always dropping and discontinuing the products those folks love in pursuit of somebody else’s customers.
I’ve had many conversations with my father about how GM no longer makes that. It seems once he’s accepted that fact and set his sights on something else within the GM stable, they drop that too. He has plenty of money but literally nothing to buy. I’ve never understood what’s so wrong with building a car older buyers would love. They don’t want an SUV or a CT5 Blackwing V.
The great decline at Cadillac happened in large part because they ceased trying to make their buyers happy and began to focus instead on wooing BMW’s buyers who mostly just ignored them and kept buying Bimmers. They ended up losing greatly with that strategy. Now the few Caddy V buyers who might be loyal are being abandoned in pursuit of Elon Musk’s buyers. They never stop being stupid.
Envista doesn’t have $3k offer. Another Buick does. They have conquest and loyalty offers. You just have to have good timing.
That non-GM discount is the biggest slap in the face. Loyalty is hard to build, and evidently easy to loose. There should at least be a loyalty discount, maybe one that accumulates as well, like 1K off first GM, 2K 2nd etc. I’m not GM loyal as much as I love the fact GM’s are easy to repair and keep on the road.
Jeep Compass? That’s going yo work out well lol!
What is with GM’s longstanding hate of the spare tire?
Yes cuts and blowouts are rare, but still happen enough that I won’t be without an actual spare.
Winning with Simplicity!
AKA decontenting.
My daily driver of 13 years had no spare until 6 months ago. I had 2 blow outs in the last year and a half.
That takes the definition of a beater to a whole new level! Kahoots!
Another Dumb case of stupidity So increase stock holders But screw the buyer for more money …
Let’s look at this rationally.
#1 flats are rare Today. Tires will get nails etc snd slow leak at best.
#2 the cars are given compressors test can easily get you where you need to go.
#3 The tire is at least an option as many vehicles including non GM do not even offer a spare option.
#4 Most people would not be able to get the tire off anyways with Todsy hub centric wheels as the stick to the hub and often take a dead blow hammer to remove.
#5 3/4 of you don’t even have enough sir in the spares you have to use them safely as it it. Most spares I check over the years never had enough air.
There are much greater things to go off on vs this deal.
Once again lower case gm gets crooked and greedy.