Auto NSider | 2022 Buick Encore GX Essence AWD

Yes…Even if you’re one of those folks who can afford a McLaren, I think you’ll agree that sometimes it’s nice to just fly under the radar…but make that flight without giving up any of the comfort, tech and other features that we’ve all come to appreciate.

And that’s pretty much what Buick offers us in their top-of-the-line Encore GX.

Other drivers are probably not going to come up to your side and blip their throttles…challenging you to an impromptu race…nor will they try to peer inside to see if you’re some kind of celeb…or member of the Forbes 500.

Nope.   It’ll just be you and up to four others rolling down the road in comfort…getting mid 20’s to 30 MPG…and enjoying surprisingly decent acceleration from Buick’s little 1.3 liter turbo and 9-speed automatic.

Oh…and you’ll be doing it for somewhere between the mid $20’s and the mid-$30’s.   So how bad is that?

The GX is one step up from the “Most Baby Buick”…the regular (non-GX) Encore.   The GX gives you not only an extra three inches of interior space, but it’s slightly longer wheelbase will give you a better ride.   For the very little difference in price, stretch a little and get the GX.

And as to which Encore GX, as you’d imagine, it all depends upon how much luxury, tech and comfort you need, want, and can afford.

Whichever level of trim that you choose, all Encore GX’s come with a 1.3 liter turbo and a 9-speed automatic.   You might not think that a tiny 1.3 will bring any “game” to your drive, but the Encore GX will keep up with most everything that you encounter on the road…while getting you 29+ Hwy MPGs.

Our top-of-the-line AWD Encore “Essence” came with leather, GM’s Teen Driver system, a Sirius Radio, roof rack, and today’s expected alerts and connectivity.

Then on top of our Essence’ $30,600 base price, our test GX gave us a little over 4K in options which brought Advanced Tech and Comfort Packages with surround vision, a heads-up display, adaptive cruise, voice activation, wireless charging, a rear-view camera + camera washer, rain sensing wipers, “ask-Alexa” connectivity, 18” alloys, a hands-free liftgate, acoustic glass, nav, an ionizer, and more.

So what did our Encore GX Essence lack?

Only the same couple of things that so many of today’s vehicles lack:   A couple of chips.  In our case, Buick gave us a credit as they didn’t have sufficient chips for the heated seats and steering wheel.

Welcome to 2022 😊