The 2022 Buick Encore and Encore GX may have similar monikers, but they’re different enough to appeal to totally different types of drivers. Let’s take a closer look at what you get from each of these subcompact SUVs.
Price & Body Style
The 2022 Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV that represents the entry-level end of the Buick SUV lineup. It starts at $24,600, which is a very fair price for such a handsomely equipped ride.
Although the 2022 Buick Encore GX sounds like it might be a trim level of the regular Encore, it’s actually a completely different SUV. However, it’s also technically a subcompact model. But it’s bigger and more luxurious than its non-GX counterpart. The Encore GX starts at $25,900.
Comfort & Convenience
The Buick Encore is only available as one trim model, the Preferred. Its standard lineup is pretty satisfying, with comfort and convenience features that include:
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Optional moonroof
- Optional blind-spot monitoring
- Optional forward collision warning
With the Buick Encore GX, on the other hand, you get to choose between three trim models: Preferred, Select, and Essence. The Encore GX Preferred model is very similar to the aforementioned model. However, it offers more safety features:
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane-departure mitigation
- Optional adaptive cruise control
- Optional blind-spot monitoring
As you move up the trim levels, the Encore GX offers increasing luxury, with available features that include:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Heated steering wheel
- Head-up display
- Leather upholstery
Power & Performance
The 2022 Buick Encore is available with one engine, a peppy turbocharged three-cylinder engine that gets this small SUV up to speed in no time at all. And all-wheel drive is optional, helping you drive down sloshy trails and sandy beaches without getting stuck.
- Turbocharged 1.4-liter inline three-cylinder engine (155 horsepower, 177 lb-ft of torque)
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Optional all-wheel drive
The Buick Encore GX comes standard with a more efficient, but slightly less powerful three-cylinder engine. However, it also offers the more powerful three-cylinder engine as an option. When you add available all-wheel drive, you also get a modern nine-speed automatic transmission.
- Turbo 1.2L three-cylinder engine (137 hp, 162 lb-ft)
- Optional turbo 1.3L three-cylinder engine (155 hp, 174 lb-ft)
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Nine-speed automatic transmission (all-wheel-drive models)
- Front-wheel drive
- Optional all-wheel drive
Fuel Economy
With its base engine, the 2022 Buick Encore GX is the more efficient SUV, earning up to 30 mpg combined (29 city/32 highway). When equipped with the more powerful three-cylinder engine, which is standard on the Encore and optional for the Encore GX, both models earn up to 27 mpg combined (24/32 mpg).
Choose Your Buick Encore
In the end, choosing between these upscale extra-small crossovers depends on you. The 2022 Buick Encore gives you both the best price and the most powerful engine. On the other hand, you can option the 2022 Buick Encore GX with a longer list of luxuries and safety features, making it the better choice for drivers who crave more of the finer things.