Text by Tom Appel
2025 Buick Encore GX Avenir
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Color: Ociean Blue
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 157
Real-world fuel economy: 27.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | C+ |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B+ |
| Tall Guy | A- |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 155-horsepower 1.3-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbo 3-cylinder |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 26/28/27 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $33,100 (not including $1295 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Avenir Technology Package ($1395), Avenir Convenience Package ($1195)
Price as tested: $37,085
Pros and Cons
The great: Comfortable and refined
The good: Fuel efficient, upscale feel
The not so good: Engine coarse at low speed
Review
While Buick’s compact Envision and midsize Enclave crossovers remain true to the brand’s mainstream luxury mission, a couple of new models are shaking things up at the bottom end of the lineup. New for the 2024 model year, the subcompact Envista has surprised consumers, melding strong dollar value with surprisingly uplevel comfort, style, and practicality. And, though no larger, the Encore GX crossover—updated for 2024–takes things up a notch, adding features and equipment to the menu, though at a still reasonable price.
Buick Sales
For 2024, the two entry-level Buicks combined for more than 100,000 sales, suggesting that the American consumer is looking more for affordable comfort and luxury, than for power and sportiness. The Buick brand, enjoying a renaissance of sorts, saw sales improve nearly ten percent for 2024. An all-new Enclave should keep the momentum rolling in 2025.
Envista versus Encore GX
While the Envista is designed to hit a lower starting price point, it is actually the larger of the two small Buicks—though not by much. The Envista rides on a longer wheelbase than the Encore, affording a little more rear-seat legroom. However, the Encore GX sits higher, and provides somewhat more rear-seat headroom, and more cargo space aft of the rear seat. The most-significant difference between the two models comes down to the powertrain options. The Envista is offered only with a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine and front-wheel drive, while the Encore can be had with a punchier 1.3-liter engine and AWD.
Prices and Trim Levels
Both are otherwise very much Buicks, featuring quiet and classy cabins, and impressive-for-the-class ride quality. And, we’ll say this now, if one of these rides is on your test-drive list, be sure and check out the other as well.
Base prices for the Envista range from $23,995 to $29,695, and for the Encore GX the run from $27,295 to $34,395.
Trim levels for both models ascend through the entry Preferred, midlevel Sport Touring, and luxury-oriented Avenir.
Having recently spent time with an Envista, Consumer Guide turned its attention to the Encore GX. We recently spent a week behind the wheel of an Ocean Blue Encore GX Avenir with both the Avenir Convenience Package and the Avenir Technology Package. Including destination, our loaded Encore came to $37,085.
Cabin
Getting into and out of the Encore GX is simple enough. Class-typical ride height means sliding into the Buick is easy enough, and the large door openings—front and rear—simplify the process. And though the Encore cabin is a little tighter than that of the Envista, there is still plenty of 4-adult space, providing front-row occupants don’t adjust their seats fully aft.
The dash/console design is simple and modern, with a single, contiguous panel serving as both the infotainment touchscreen and the instrument panel. Screen icons are large and easy to identify at a glance, and touch inputs are responded to instantly. We are surprised to find a classic, old-school, mechanical gear selector in a recently redesigned vehicle, but have no complaints regarding its operation.
Quietness
And, in classic Buick tradition, the Encore GX is among the quietest vehicles in its size class, mainstream or luxury. Listening to music, or having a conversation, at elevated highway speeds is no problem. The engine isn’t especially quiet, though. More on that below.
Engines
Buick seems reluctant to identify the engines offered in the Encore GX as 3-cylinder mills, preferring to make note of the displacement, instead. In reality, both available powerplants serve up sufficient power, and even a little extra. Front-wheel-drive versions of the Preferred trim level are powered by turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine rated at 137 horsepower. This is the only engine offered in the Envista. All other Encore variants are fitted a 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cyinder engine mated to either a CVT-style automatic transmission, or a 9-speed auto. Front-drive models (1.2 or 1.3) come with the CVT, AWD models the 9-speed.
Power and Performance
Apart from some course noise during low-speed acceleration, and some throb at idle, the 1.3-liter engine does a nice job of propelling the Encore around in traffic, and even has a sufficient reserve of power for reasonably spirited highway passing and merging activity.
Ride and Handling
Where the Encore truly shines, however, is in ride quality. The little Buick is nicely isolated from the road, and is rarely upset by even larger surface imperfections. Indeed, the Encore GX is among the best riding small crossovers at any price point. Handling is decent, too, though we’d stop just shy of suggesting that the Encore is truly sporty. Sporty enough, perhaps.
Value
We found regular commuting in the Encore GX Avenir to be a pleasant experience. The available 7-speaker Bose-brand audio setup sounds better than most audio systems in this class, and the overall refinement helps make the daily slog easier. With AWD and a larger engine, we didn’t match our test Envista’s thrifty 30+ mpg performance, but our observed 28 mpg still feels frugal to us.
We’re quite impressed by both of Buicks little crossovers, and expect we’ll soon see more of them on the road. For consumers looking more for comfort than performance from a subcompact crossover, Buick’s foray downmarket is good news. As we appreciate the extra power and foul-weather traction afforded by the Encore GX, we lean slightly toward that model. But, again, be sure and test drive both, there’s a lot here to like.
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2025 Buick Encore GX Avenir Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
