2022 Buick Encore GX

The subcompact crossover SUV market is a hotly contested one, and it can be challenging to stand out from a crowd that includes the likes of the Lexus UX and Toyota C-HR, but the 2022 Buick Encore GX manages to do just that. This cute little crossover might not be as premium as some, but it makes up for that with competitive pricing and solid practicality. The only engine option on offer for 2022 is a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder unit that produces 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft, which it sends to the front or all four wheels. The value for money proposition of the Encore GX is great, and we love its easy-to-use infotainment system - but with a rather lackluster engine and bland interior, is it enough to really make a name for itself?

The Encore GX is a cute little crossover SUV and shares some of its genes with the standard Encore. The GX does, however, bring a few more aggressive styling features to the table. The Preferred, which represents the entry point into the lineup, offers standard exterior features such as 18-inch Bright Silver painted alloy wheels, auto on/off halogen headlights, deep-tinted windows, LED daytime running lamps, and heated power outside mirrors. Higher up in the range, the Select and Essence come with roof-mounted side rails and some variety in terms of wheel designs. The Essence adds premium features such as LED headlights and taillights, chrome-accented bumpers, and black carbon metallic bodyside moldings.

Classified as a subcompact crossover SUV, the Encore GX has similar dimensions to the Toyota C-HR. Set over a 102.2-inch wheelbase, it's 171.4 inches long. Excluding the side mirrors, the GX is 71.4 inches in width and stands 64.1 inches tall. The track is 61.1 inches wide in the front and 61.9 inches in the rear.

The Encore GX most certainly won't be hitting any hardcore offroad trails, but with 7.5 inches of ground clearance, it won't get caught up on parking lot curbs. The new Buick Encore GX weighs between 3,025 and 3,273 pounds, with the heaviest configuration being the Essence 1.3-liter AWD.

The latest Encore GX's exterior design is certainly eye-catching, and Buick offers the crossover with a range of attractive exterior paint colors that highlight its compact size; there are also some more mature options for an older crowd. With a total of eight colors on offer, Summit White is the only no-cost option. New owners can choose from metallic paints such as Ebony Twilight and Satin Steel, at an extra cost of $495. New paint colors joining these metallics this year are Cinnabar, Sapphire, Sunset Glow, and Rosewood. White Frost Tricoat will set you back an additional $1,095. We'd go with Sunset Glow or Sapphire. Dark Moon Blue, Black Currant, Burnished Bronze, Chili Red, and Deep Azure have all been discontinued.

Buick did not set out to break Nurburgring records with the Encore GX. Instead, it aimed to offer enough poke to make the GX an efficient and capable city car that can handle the occasional road trip. Buick offers the Encore GX with one engine choice this year - a 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbo with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This engine sends its power to the front wheels via a CVT transmission or all fours via a nine-speed automatic. Last year's smaller 137-hp 1.2-liter engine has been discontinued. The Encore feels nippy around town and offers enough go to keep up with traffic. Unfortunately, the GX doesn't have a massively impressive towing capacity and will only handle 1,000 pounds. 0-60 times are of little importance here but expect a sub-ten-second run. With standard AWD on certain trims, the Encore GX will make a handy companion in wet and cold climates, however.

Under the hood of the 2022 Encore GX, you'll find a small-capacity turbocharged engine that focuses on efficiency over outright performance. Buick was so serious about efficiency that it even lobbed off a piston. The engine is a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. With a minuscule turbocharger strapped to three cylinders, throttle response is good, and turbo lag almost non-existent. It feels well suited to the open road, and its low-down torque delivery is impressive for a little three-cylinder. Unfortunately, the CVT transmission feels dated and continuously hunts for the right ratio. We prefer the traditional nine-speed automatic which is available only with AWD.

Cars in this category tend to focus on agility and ease of driving in tight spaces. The Encore GX follows this theory with surprising effectiveness: it feels nimble when driving through packed city streets, and its light steering makes it easy to park in smaller spaces, although we did notice that its turning circle is not as tight as some would like. The most surprising characteristic of the Encore GX is that you can have a little fun with it when you're up to speed, even though it's not naturally very engaging: it's highly entertaining to use momentum driving when pushing through the corners, and the slight amount of body roll on display is entirely acceptable for a relatively high-riding crossover SUV. Another positive characteristic of the Encore GX's driving dynamics is that with so little power on offer, wheelspin is rarely an issue, especially in AWD guise, boosting driver confidence.

The Encore's budget-friendly suspension setup does have a few faults, however: the rear torsion beam setup can cause a bouncy ride for those in the back when navigating uneven terrain. Braking performance is good, and we didn't experience significant brake fade after extensive testing.

The pint-sized engine under the hood of the Buick Encore GX might not offer massive amounts of power, but it is efficient, which is an enormous selling point in this corner of the market. According to the EPA, the worst-performing AWD Encore GX will still manage an impressive 26/29/27 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle. The most fuel-efficient is the FWD with the CVT transmission with a rating of 29/32/30 mpg. The Encore GX's 13.2-gallon fuel tank will give it a mixed driving range of around 356 miles in its least efficient guise, with almost 400 miles per tank available for the most frugal option.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at the generous dimensions of the Encore GX's interior and the modern sweeping design of the dashboard. Buick has made extensive use of soft-touch plastics, but we still get a cheap feeling from some of the cabin materials, despite a solid fit and finish. This interior reminds us of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, which is not a bad thing. Standard features are reasonably good, and the higher up one goes in the lineup, more premium features such as leather upholstery and even a head-up display become available. Once seated, visibility is good all-round, and the seating position of the driver is nice and high. You could certainly do worse.

There is enough space for five adults inside the Encore GX. Those in the front get good head and legroom, and despite its compact size, those in the rear can't complain much either. That is except for the middle rear passenger, who will have to endure a hard seating surface and somewhat of a squeeze. Those in the front get manually adjustable seats in the entry-level car. In contrast, mid- and top-level cars get ten-way power-adjustable driver seats and eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seats. The Encore isn't a sports car, but we would have appreciated a bit of added side bolstering, but at least the seats are comfortable, and the seating position in the front is raised for excellent forward visibility.

The base Encore GX is offered with your choice of Ebony upholstered seats in cloth with leatherette inserts and Ebony interior accents, or Whisper Beige with Ebony interior accents. These upholstery options also apply to the mid-level Select trim. The top of the line Essence is offered with the same color schemes but in leather and is also offered with Signet leather with Ebony interior accents. Although there is a leather-wrapped steering wheel from the base trim onwards, the overall feel of the Encore GX's interior is that of a sub-luxury car.

US car buyers in this segment of the market are first and foremost looking for practicality when buying a car, and thankfully the Encore GX offers a lot of it. Despite its diminutive size, the Encore GX still manages to provide a decent 23.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. That is enough space to fit a small disassembled coffee table from Ikea, or both your Labradors. If more dogs or Swedish furniture need transporting, the Encore GX's 60/40 split-folding seats can make way for a total of 50.2 cubic feet of space.

Small items can be stored in the large glovebox and decently-sized door pockets in the front and back. There's also a set of cupholders in the front and a large storage bin behind the gear level. There's a small pocket in front of the armrest, and the armrest itself also includes a shallow tray.

Starting with the base model, the Encore GX offers standard features such as manually adjustable front seats, two USB charging ports, single-zone climate control, a compass display, cruise control, keyless open and start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a noise control system, and a rear vision camera. All models also come standard with driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and auto high-beam assist. The Select adds features such as a ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support and power front passenger seat, a rear center armrest, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, remote start, and a cabin humidity sensor. The top of the range Essence bolsters the list of features with an eight-way power fold-flat front passenger seat with power lumbar support, an Air Ionizer, rearview auto-dimming mirror, Leather-appointed seat trim, a heated steering wheel, an electric auxiliary heater/defroster, memory settings for seat and mirror positions, and a universal home remote. Optional extras include wireless phone charging, rear park assist, and a head-up display.

The infotainment system plays a significant role in the modern automobile, and we're glad to report that the system found inside the Encore GX is one of the best in its price range and class. All models are equipped with an eight-inch touch screen display with Bluetooth streaming audio for music and calling, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, a six-speaker sound system (with an additional amplifier in the AWD model) and a three-month all-access trial to SiriusXM satellite radio. Optional extras on the Select and Essence are a navigation system and a head-up display unit. The menu system is easy to navigate, the display is beautifully crisp, and we love how easily it connects with Amazon Alexa. The Essence also gets an optional seven-speaker Bose sound system, which sounds epic when blasting Age Of Consent by New Order.

Family vehicles are expected to be exceptionally reliable these days, and the Encore GX can proudly hold its head up and claim its reliability. There were two recalls issued for 2021 for this vehicle, relating to a faulty brake booster sensor and an emergency jack that may fracture while it's being used. The second recall carries through to the 2022 model year as well.

Buick will cover the Encore GX with a basic three-year/36,000-mile warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranty, and also throws in one free service.

The IIHS tested the 2022 Encore and found it to offer good side, frontal and rollover protection. The 2021 model's crash performance resulted in a Top Safety Pick+ award. The NHTSA review resulted in a full five stars overall.

Buick has been rather generous when it comes to the number of standard safety features on offer in the Encore GX. All models come equipped with eight airbags, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, and auto high-beam assist. Lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on all models. A head-up display is optional on the top two trims, and automatic parking assist with braking can be had on the Essence.

Buick isn't the first name that comes to mind when you think of young and hip brands, but the Encore GX aims to change that perception, and we think it might just do it. The standard Encore is a rather forgettable car, but the GX adds just enough attitude and features to make it competitive. The exterior styling is cute and strikes a good balance between city-slicking urbanite and crossover SUV. Inside, the cabin offers a surprisingly large amount of space, and while the materials might not be class-leading, the interior design is pleasing to the eye, and nothing feels as if it will fall apart any time soon. The infotainment system is one of the best we've tested in the segment, and there are quite a number of standard features. On the road, the Encore GX isn't perfect, but it passes as an everyday runabout. The engine isn't a powerhouse but returns good gas mileage. The GX is miles ahead of the standard Encore and is worth a look.

The price of a new Buick Encore GX in the USA will vary according to trim level, engine choice, and which wheels receive power. The cheapest version you can get is the Preferred FWD with an MSRP of $24,200 excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,195. Going for the AWD version adds $2,000 to the asking price. The Select goes on sale for a minimum of $25,600 and goes up to $27,600. The Essence will set you back up to $30,400 when equipped with AWD.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX is sold in three trims, namely Preferred, Select, and Essence. The smaller 1.2-liter engine is dropped for the 2022 model year, so the only engine common to all models is a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-three connected to a CVT transmission on front-wheel-drive models and a nine-speed automatic transmission on AWD models. Standard safety equipment on all models includes automatic headlights with automatic high beams, eight airbags, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, a backup camera, and following-distance assist.

The Preferred comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and LED fog lights. Inside, it has manually adjustable front seats, a noise-control system, a compass display, single-zone climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, keyless access and start, and cruise control. The infotainment system has an eight-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth streaming, and a six-speaker audio system.

The Select trim adds to these features dual-zone climate control, a ten-way electrically adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support, an electrically adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, a cabin humidity sensor, dual-zone climate control, a rear center armrest, and remote start.

The Essence additionally gets memory settings for the front seats and mirror positions, leather upholstery, an eight-way electrically adjustable flat-folding front passenger seat with power lumbar support, a heated steering wheel, a universal home remote, an air ionizer, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Buick offers a bunch of creative appearance packages to make the little Encore GX look even cooler, costing between $395 and $1,100 for upgrades like a black roof or painted bodyside moldings. The base model can be fitted with the Sport Touring Package, which adds body-color rocker moldings, remote start, a custom grille, 18-inch Dark Android alloy wheels, front and rear sport bumpers, and Sporting Touring badges for only $1,100. The base model can also be equipped with the $775 Active Lifestyle Package, which adds a trailer hitch, harness, and bezel, as well as a cargo tray. The Cold Weather Comfort Package adds heated front seats, 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and remote start for $995. A hands-free power liftgate will cost an extra $595.

For the Select, there is a $1,935 Advanced Technology Package, which adds SiriusXM 360L, navigation, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, surround-view camera system, and rear park assist. A panoramic moonroof and high gloss wheels can be added to the top two trims for $1,500 via the Buick Experience Package, or the Sport Touring package can be equipped for body-colored rockers and bodyside molding, custom grille, and unique wheels ($695).

The Essence is offered with nice-to-haves such as the $770 Convenience Package that adds auto wipers, a rear camera mirror with washer, front and rear park assist, automatic parking, and wireless charging, but requires a few additional extras too, meaning a total price change upwards of $3,000.

When picking an Encore GX, we'd suggest the middle-of-the-road Select. This trim level offers the best bang for the buck overall. It offers standard features such as power adjustability on the driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and, with the $200 Safety Package added, lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It also has access to the upgraded infotainment setup with navigation and head-up display via the $1,935 Advanced Technology Package, which we consider a must. We'd have it in FWD guise in Sapphire Metallic, and be happy with the total of just over $29k.

How much difference is there when it comes down to the GX vs the Encore in standard guise, and which one is better? Price-wise there is only $400 differentiating the base models of these two cars, with the GX being the cheaper one. It quickly becomes apparent why the GX is the better choice. In terms of cargo space, the GX has over 50 cubes on offer, which outshines the standard 48.4 cubic feet on the Encore. There are also a few more standard driver assistance features on the GX, including forward collision assist, and a resulting safety rating that is better on the GX. The interior is much the same on both cars, and while there is not much difference under the hood, the Encore's 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four makes a smidge more torque. Fuel economy takes a knock on the Encore as a result of the larger motor. We'd go with the GX.

The Encore GX feels decidedly sub-luxury, so how does it compare to one of the more premium models in this category? With a starting price of around $33k, the Lexus UX is priced way above the Encore GX. The UX is powered by a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that pumps out 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque and doesn't feel any faster or slower than the Encore GX but does have longer legs when it comes to highway cruising. On the road, the Lexus is a much more refined car to drive. The interior is also leagues ahead of the Encore GX, thanks to a fine selection of materials, excellent build quality, and a more mature design. The Lexus also gets superior features on even the base trim, such as dual-zone climate control, LED headlights, and the option of a 10.3-inch multimedia display. The Lexus is the more premium car, but value for money always seals the deal in this class. Please give us the Buick.