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.
Overview The Encore GX was revealed alongside the second generation Encore at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It shares the VSS-F platform with the new Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover SUV and its codename is 9BUB. The size of the Encore GX is subcompact-plus, positioned between the subcompact Encore and the compact Envision.
After the discontinuation of the smaller Encore, the Encore GX was the entry-level offering from Buick, until the arrival of the larger but less expensive Envista.
North America In North America, the Encore GX was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2019, and made its debut in early 2020 for the 2020 model year. It is positioned between the smaller Buick Encore and the midsize Buick Envision, but it does not replace the Buick Encore in the North American market. The Encore GX includes several standard safety assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning.
The Encore GX was launched in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence. It also gets a Sport Touring package that adds visual enhancements such as a custom grille with Red accents, sporty front & rear bumpers with Red accents, body-colored mouldings, and exclusive 18-inch wheels, but no mechanical upgrades.
Mexico In Mexico, the Encore GX was launched in February 2020 and is marketed simply as the Encore. It is offered there in Convenience, Leather, and Sport Touring trim levels. The 1.3-liter turbo I3 is the only engine available. The Encore GX replaces the original Encore in Mexico, unlike the US and Canada where both were available up to and including the 2022 model year.
2024 refresh In 2023, Buick unveiled the facelifted Encore GX for the 2024 model year. It adopts Buick's new Pure Design philosophy and corporate emblem. With the 2024 facelift, trim levels have changed now with base Preferred, mid-level ST, and luxury-oriented Avenir. This update included the removal of four notable features previously offered, including; fog lights (due to the new lower placement of the headlights below the turn signal lights on the hood), Head Up Display (HUD) panel, auxiliary audio input jack in the lower dashboard panel, and Automatic Parking Assist.
China On August 18, 2023, Buick unveiled the facelifted Encore for the Chinese market. The refresh brings a new powertrain setup, as well as a change in name from Encore GX to Encore Plus. The Encore Plus gains a new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Inside, the Encore Plus gains a Virtual Cockpit System specific to the Chinese market, consisting of two 10.5-inch display panels, lacking any physical knobs and buttons, along with new brown upholstery.
Encore Plus was removed from the Buick China website in March 2025."Buick Quietly Discontinues Three Crossover Models In China" from GM Authority (May 2, 2025)
Powertrain Two engines are available. The first, a 1.2-liter, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing and torque, is standard on front-wheel-drive models with a CVT. The second, a 1.3-liter, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing and torque, is standard on all-wheel-drive models with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It is also available on Select and Essence trims with FWD and the CVT. For 2024-early 2026 models, the 1.2-liter engine is standard on the Preferred trim with the 1.3-liter engine optional, while Sport Touring and Avenir trims get the 1.3-liter engine as standard. In China, only the 1.3-liter engine is available, with an option of FWD and AWD and a higher output at and of torque.
In early 2026, Buick quietly dropped the 1.2L engine, effectively making the 1.3L engine standard across all trim levels. https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/03/2027-buick-encore-gx-officially-drops-this-engine-choice/
While the new I3 engines are available in several GM models in China, these are the first three-cylinder engines in a GM car in North America since the 2000 Chevrolet Metro.
TypeEngine codeDisplacementPowerTorqueTransmissionLayoutModel yearsGasolineLIH I3 turbocharged @ 5,000 rpm @ 2,500 rpmCVTFWD2020–presentGasolineL3T I3 turbocharged @ 5,600 rpm @ 1,600 rpmCVTFWD9-speed automaticAWDGasolineL3T I3 turbocharged @ 5,600 rpm @ 1,500–4,000 rpmCVTFWD2020–present (China)9-speed automaticAWD
Awards U.S. 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.
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. +IIHS scores (2021)Small overlap front (driver)GoodSmall overlap front (passenger)GoodModerate overlap front (original test)GoodSide (original test)GoodRoof strengthGoodHead restraints and seatsGoodHeadlightsAcceptableMarginalFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperiorFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)SuperiorChild seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useAcceptable
Sales Calendar year United States ChinaCanadaMexico 2020 44,841 17,5825,2141,091202171,247 4,6776,9591,070202233,3489,2685,091724202364,1492,2647,017996202458,2391,4327,526646202557,5287,759443
References
External links
Official website – Encore Plus (China)