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Buick Encore GX
SlashGear says the Encore was Buick's best-selling vehicle from 2015 to 2020, but in 2022 Buick announced that year would be the Encore's last, after the subcompact SUV category became competitive enough that only the most popular models tend to survive, including Buick's own Encore GX. Automotivize says Buick quietly discontinued the regular Encore with very little notice or fanfare, while the Encore GX, which came out for the 2020 model year as a sibling of the Encore, is still available, meaning a used Encore is now the only way to get Buick's original entry-level crossover. SlashGear says when the Encore launched in 2013 it was seen as a curious and unique vehicle that fulfilled America's desire for a smaller SUV that was still roomy, capable and premium, while maintaining a low price point.
From best-seller to discontinued
SlashGear (opens in a new tab) says the Encore was Buick's best-selling vehicle from 2015 to 2020, but in 2022 Buick announced that it would be the last year of the Encore, as the subcompact SUV category became competitive enough that only the most popular models tend to survive, including Buick's own Encore GX. In 2020, Buick sold over 44,800 Encore models, showing buyers were split between the Encore and the newer Encore GX in its first year.
A quiet exit, with the GX left standing
Automotivize (opens in a new tab) says the Encore GX is still available, but Buick quietly discontinued the regular Encore with very little notice or fanfare, after the Encore GX came out for the 2020 model year as a sibling of the Encore. It says a used Buick Encore is the only option left for buyers who want Buick's original entry-level crossover.
What the Encore represented
SlashGear (opens in a new tab) says when the Encore came out in 2013, it was seen as a curious and unique vehicle that fulfilled America's desire for a smaller SUV that was still roomy, capable, and premium, while maintaining a low price point.
Questions buyers ask
Is the Buick Encore discontinued?
Yes — SlashGear (opens in a new tab) says 2022 was its last model year.
What replaced the Buick Encore?
Automotivize (opens in a new tab) says the Encore GX, its sibling since 2020, remains in Buick's lineup.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Buick Encore GX is built around 1.2L turbo three-cylinder or 1.3L turbo three-cylinder, rated at 137 / 155 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 Encore GX seats 5 and is a Subcompact SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2025 Encore GX.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Buick Encore GX
The 1.2L engine and CVT are standard on FWD models; the 1.3L upgrade pairs with a nine-speed automatic and is required for all-wheel drive.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Buick Encore GX model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Buick Encore | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Buick Encore GX | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Buick Encore GX.
The Buick Encore GX is a subcompact crossover SUV built by General Motors starting in 2019. Like the smaller Encore and the related Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Encore GX is manufactured by GM Korea. In China, it is manufactured by the SAIC-GM joint venture.
- Safety
- The 2021 model year Encore GX was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS. Unlike the Trailblazer, it did not receive the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award, as the lower two trims of the Encore GX used halogen reflectors headlights received a Marginal rating.
- Awards
- News & World Report ranked the Buick Encore GX at No. 5 on its list of Best Subcompact SUVs for 2022, giving it a score of 8.1 out of 10.
- Powertrain
- The first, a 1.2-liter, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 137 hp (139 PS; 102 kW) and 162 lb⋅ft torque, is standard on front-wheel-drive models with a CVT.
Source: Buick Encore GX (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Buick Encore GX at a glance
- Production
- 2019–present (South Korea), 2019–2025 (China)
- Model years
- 2020–present (North America)
- Assembly
- South Korea: Bupyeong District, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon (GM Korea), China: Yantai, Shandong (SAIC-GM)
- Class
- Subcompact crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
- Platform
- GM VSS-F (9BUB)
- Transmission
- 9-speed Automatic transmission, automatic (AWD), Continuously variable transmission, CVT (FWD)
- Wheelbase
- 2595 mm
- Length
- 4354 mm
- Width
- 1813 mm
- Height
- 1629 mm
- Related models
- Chevrolet Trailblazer (crossover)
- Designer
- Design Leadership (2020): Ryan Vaughan & Roberto Rempel, Design Leadership: (2024): Bob Boniface, Hun-gil Lee
- Also called
- Buick Encore (Mexico), Buick Encore Plus (China, 2023–2025)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Buick Encore GX overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)
- August 2026, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image. Consequence: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- November 2023, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving. Consequence: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Buick Encore GX, most often about electrical system (6), power train (3), unknown or other (3).
Year by year
The Buick Encore GX across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Buick Encore | 27–30 | $2,150–$2,400 | 3 | 5 stars | ||
| 2025 Buick Encore GX | 27–30 | $2,100–$2,300 | 3 | 0 | 5 stars | |
| 2024 Buick Encore | 27–30 | $2,100–$2,300 | 3 | 0 | 5 stars | |
| 2023 Buick Encore | 27–30 | $2,100–$2,300 | 3 | 0 | 5 stars | |
| 2022 Buick Encore | 26–30 | $2,100–$2,400 | 5 | 8 | 5 stars | |
| 2021 Buick Encore | 26–31 | $2,000–$2,400 | 7 | 9 | 5 stars | |
| 2020 Buick Encore | 26–31 | $2,000–$2,400 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Buick Encore | 26–28 | $2,250–$2,400 | 4 | 2 | 84 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Buick Encore | 27–30 | $2,100–$2,300 | 4 | 74 | 5 stars | |
| 2017 Buick Encore | 27–30 | $2,100–$2,300 | 4 | 2 | 89 | 5 stars |
| 2016 Buick Encore | 26–30 | $2,100–$2,400 | 4 | 2 | 79 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Buick Encore | 26–28 | $2,250–$2,400 | 2 | 4 | 124 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Buick Encore GX, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | Labels: Encore GX FWD FFV | |||
| 2024 to 2025 | Engines: 1.2L 3-cyl SIDI; FFV; Fuels: Gasoline or E85 | Engines: 1.2L 3-cyl SIDI | ||
| 2022 to 2023 | 5 to 3 | 28.0 to 28.5 | Labels: Encore AWD, Encore FWD; Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (S6) | |
| 2021 to 2022 | 7 to 5 | 28.5 to 28.0 | Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 to 2021 | 5 to 7 | Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI | ||
| 2019 to 2020 | 4 to 5 | 27.0 to 28.5 | Labels: Encore FWD, Encore GX AWD, Encore GX FWD; Engines: 1.2L 3-cyl SIDI, 1.3L 3-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 9-spd | Labels: Encore; Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI |
| 2018 to 2019 | 28.5 to 27.0 | Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start | ||
| 2016 to 2017 | 28.0 to 28.5 | Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | 2 to 4 | 27.0 to 28.0 | Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI |
Buying used
What the Buick Encore GX recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | seats (critical fasteners); power train (automatic transmission) | None |
| 2019 | 2 | air bags; power train (automatic transmission) | None |
| 2017 | 2 | air bags (frontal) | None |
| 2016 | 2 | air bags (frontal) | None |
| 2015 | 4 | steering (electric power assist system); equipment (other); air bags (frontal) | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 175 | 36% | 2016 (40) |
| unknown or other | 66 | 14% | 2015 (15) |
| electrical system | 63 | 13% | 2015 (30) |
| air bags | 59 | 12% | 2015 (16) |
| power train | 59 | 12% | 2015 (11) |
| service brakes | 52 | 11% | 2015 (21) |
Trim by trim
Every 2022 Buick Encore GX trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred | FWD | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 155 | 177 | 3,237 | – | 27 | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2022 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Buick Encore GX model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 155 | 3,237 | – | 14 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 155 | 3,237 | – | 14 |
| 2020 | 4 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 138 | 3,237 | – | 14 |
| 2019 | 4 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 138 | 3,237 | – | 14 |
| 2018 | 6 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 138 | 3,237 | – | 14 |
| 2017 | 6 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 138 | 3,237 | – | 14 |
| 2016 | 5 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 138–153 | 3,237 | – | 14 |
| 2015 | 4 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 138 | 3,190 | – | 14 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Buick Encore GX.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0W-20 (4.2 qt) 1.2L L3 Gas Engine; 0W-20 (4.8 qt) 1.3L L3 Gas Engine | – | 100 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2022 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2021 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 5W-30 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2019 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2018 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2017 | 5W-30 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2016 | 5W-30 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Buick Encore GX: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 8 | ||
| 2021 | 9 | ||
| 2020 | 2 | 19 | seats, powertrain |
| 2019 | 2 | 84 | airbags, powertrain |
| 2018 | 74 | ||
| 2017 | 2 | 89 | airbags |
| 2016 | 2 | 79 | airbags |
| 2015 | 4 | 124 | airbags, equipment, steering |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Buick Encore GX?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Buick Encore GX model year: recall counts across the 5 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about 2.4 recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Buick Encore GX by model year?
2020: seats, powertrain. 2019: airbags, powertrain. 2017: airbags. 2016: airbags. 2015: airbags, equipment, steering.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering, Transmission and drivetrain.
Compared with
Models this Buick Encore GX is most often compared with.
Nearest Buick models
Other Buick models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 Encore GX come in?
The 2025 Buick Encore GX (subcompact SUV) comes in 3 trims: Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir.
Q02What are the 2025 Encore GX trims?
The 2025 Buick Encore GX trims are Preferred, Sport Touring, Avenir, listed from the entry Preferred up to the top Avenir.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 Encore GX use?
The 2025 Buick Encore GX is built around 1.2L turbo three-cylinder or 1.3L turbo three-cylinder, rated at 137 / 155 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 Encore GX have?
The 2025 Buick Encore GX is rated at 137 / 155 horsepower (1.2L turbo three-cylinder or 1.3L turbo three-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 Encore GX?
The 2025 Buick Encore GX is offered with FWD / AWD.