If you find the regular Buick Encore too small, you might consider stepping up to the 2023 Buick Encore GX. The five-passenger SUV is more modern and slightly larger, and you can choose between a turbocharged 1.3L or 1.3L three-cylinder engine.

But what else does it offer? And is the vehicle worth the wait? This guide will take you through all you need to know regarding the 2023 Buick Encore GX and its GX package.

Buick Encore GX Quick Specs

Here’s a specs overview for the 2023 Encore GX:

• Base engine size – 1.2 L
• Cylinders – Inline 3
• Torque – 162 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm
• Valves – 12
• Cam – Double overhead cam (DOHC)
• Base engine type – Gas
• Horsepower – hp at 5,000 rpm
• Valve timing – Variable
• Engine – Turbocharged, 1.3
• Drivetrain – All-Wheel Drive
• Passenger Capacity – 5
• Passenger Doors – 4
• EPA Class – Small Sport Utility Vehicle
• Body Style – Sport Utility
• Transmission – 9-speed automatic, Gen 1, 9T4X

What’s New in the 2023 Buick Encore GX

Contrary to popular belief, the 2023 Encore Encore GX isn’t a trim level of the brand’s micro SUV model. Rather, it’s a stand-alone model that replaces the bite-size Encore as one of today’s luxurious and spacious subcompact SUVs.

This new GX offers more internal space and cargo room, alongside remarkable design and proportions that you can only place against the Volvo or Lexus.

Overall, there aren’t many significant changes or new features. But the 2023 Encore GX fills a specific niche.

2023 Buick Encore GX Trim Levels

You have three different flavors of the 2023 Encore GX to choose from:

Essence

• LED head and tail lamps
• Leather-appointed seats
• Air ionizer
• Leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel
• 120V outlet behind the center console

This top-tier Encore trim starts at $30,500 and offers a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, genuine leather upholstery, a 120V power outlet, and a universal garage door opener.

Its Convenience package adds wireless device charging, park assist, rain-sensing wipers, and a rear parking mirror. The Experience Buick package also adds unique 18” wheels and a panoramic moonroof. Finally, you may go for the Advanced Technology package that includes navigation, satellite radio, adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, surround-view parking camera, a head-up display, and an SD card reader.

Preferred

 

• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Buick Driver Confidence
• 8-inch Diagonal Buick Infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Buick QuietTuning Technology

Starting at $25,900, the base Preferred model stands out with its healthy assortment of driver assistance and standard tech features. Standard capabilities include synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, an 8-inch touch screen, proximity keyless entry, a WiFi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system.

The ride’s driver assistance features include forward automatic emergency braking, collision warning, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, Teen Driver, and a distance indicator. But if you’re looking for more high-end fine points, try the mid-tier Select trim.

Select

• Remote Start
• Heated front seats
• 10-way power driver seat
• Automatic dual-zone climate control
• 18-inch aluminum wheels (machined) with hints of High-Gloss Dark Android

Starting at $27,300, the Encore GX Select offers all the capabilities inside the Cold Weather Comfort Package alongside automatic climate control. You may go for the Safety Package to add rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and lane change assist. It also comes with a hands-free power liftgate.

Notably, each trim comes with an all-wheel drive (AWD) or front-wheel drive (FWD), but the AWD is optional.

Front-wheel drive Select and Preferred trims have a turbocharged 1.2L engine (three-cylinder) producing 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, Essence comes with a slightly larger 155 horsepower 1.3L engine with 174 lb-ft of torque. The engine is also available for the FWD Select trim.

The two engine varieties pair with a CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) unless you shift to the AWD option. Finally, every trim in the Encore GX family has a more potent engine, AWD, and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Preferred trim scores high on tech, but it still feels basic. On the other hand, Encore Essence is far too costly for what you’ll get, but Encore Select can be a reasonable compromise. Select has a slightly higher price tag than Preferred, but it adds blind-spot monitoring, dual-zone automatic cruise control, remote start, and heated front seats.

2023 Buick Encore Exterior

• Signature grille
• Roof rails
• Premium lighting
• Exclusive GX wheels
• Encore GX rear profile

The 2023 Encore GX is incredibly stylish, with a striking exterior that cuts an impressive figure wherever you go. Its forward-facing signature grille gives it an unmistakable appearance, and the integrated roof rails let you carry all your gear. The ride also features window surround bumpers, chrome door handles, and privacy glass.

The car’s dramatic tail lamps enhance its visual style and add to its fluid design. It also has signature LED daytime headlamps and quality 18-inch aluminum wheels.

The 2023 Encore GX is available in the following colors:

• Cinnabar Metallic
• Moonstone Gray Metallic
• Gloss
• Sapphire Metallic
• Ebony Twilight Metallic
• White Frost Tricoat
• Sunset Glow Metallic
• Rosewood Metallic

2023 Buick Encore Interior

• Spacious center console
• Cargo floor
• Quiettuningtm technology
• Climate control
• Available heated steering wheel
• Available heated front seat

The 2023 Encore GX has exceptional amenities for the ultimate comfort as you tackle the road. Its front seats are power adjustable with a significant adjustment range, but they can confine someone with a wider body. The rear seat is for two people, and the rear doors are excellent for a smaller crossover.

The car’s rear setback has about 24 cubic feet of space, which can double where necessary. Additionally, you can fold the right front seat flat to accommodate longer stuff.

While Buick uses the vehicle’s small size optimally to deliver excellent cargo space, it’s hard to overlook the underwhelming front seat comfort. Most drivers don’t like the firm padding, while others require additional lateral support. Finally, the car’s three-cylinder engine is particularly vocal, and tire sounds are noticeable at highway speeds.

Performance and Fuel Economy

• 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder engine
• 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque
• 9-speed automatic transmission
• 29/32 mpg city/highway for the 1.3L engine
•  29/31 mpg city/highway for the 1.2L engine

The 2023 Encore GX has a 1.3-L turbocharged three-cylinder engine that delivers 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. A highly responsive CVT is available for FWD models, while the AWD cars come with a 9-speed automatic transmission that can hit 0 to 60 in 9.3 seconds. A base model Encore GX with FWD comes with a turbo three 137-hp engine under the hood that can deliver 162 lb-ft of torque.

The 2023 Encore GX has decent fuel economy. The 1.3L engine has a 29/32 mpg city/highway rating, while its 1.2L counterpart is 29/31 mpg. However, this isn’t much different from smaller SUVs with comparable power. On the other hand, AWD cars have a 26/29 mpg rating.

2023 Buick Encore Tech

• Wireless Apple CarPlay® compatibility
• Wireless Android Auto™ compatibility
• Head-up display
• Rear camera mirror
• Wireless smartphone charging
• WiFi hotspot

Tech-on-display execution and breadth make the 2023 Encore GX stand out. The ride comes with one of the best-in-class audio systems with excellent sound quality. You’ll also like the navigation system’s predictive text that lets you get the right destination with even incomplete searches.

The ride also has four USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 120V outlet to keep your devices fully charged. It also has an available head-up display and is compatible with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety Ratings and Features

• Lane keep assist
• Automated high beams
• Automatic emergency braking
• Digital rearview mirror

The 2023 Encore GX has safety as one of its strong points. It’s a safe pick with excellent standard spec elevate and IIHS safety scores. The GX line boasts a five-star NHTSA rating, but the new model year is yet to be reviewed.

Buick combines a range of safety features in this ride, including lane-keeping assist, automated high beams, and automatic emergency braking. You also get rarities like a digital rearview mirror and a 360-degree camera system. Each safety feature is perfectly executed, and the voice command system is worth applause.

Beat The Crowd with The 2023 Encore GX Sport Touring

The 2023 GX is anonymously styled, but you have the opportunity to stand out from the crowd with the Sport Touring Package, which includes:

• Body-color rocker moldings
• Bodyside body-color moldings
• Red rear and front protective bumper moldings
• Custom grille with Red accents
• 18-inch Medium Android High Gloss wheels
• Rear and front sport bumpers with Sport Touring badge and Red accents

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Buick Encore GX good on gas?

Encore GX’s new model year (2023) starts slightly under $26,000. However, the Select trim level offers a broader range of niceties from under $27,000.

Where is the 2023 Buick Encore GX made?

This elegant ride is made in South Korea.

Is the new Encore GX fuel-efficient?

It can be. FWD trims have a 29/31 mpg city/highway rating, 30 combined. On the other hand, the 1.3L engine tops the rating at 29/32/ mpg. These are good enough numbers.