2025 Buick Encore GX

Retaining Buick’s premium position, located somewhere between mainstream and luxury, the 2025 Buick Encore GX is the brand’s entry-level model. Quality materials and attention to detail are Buick hallmarks, as are quiet passenger spaces and cutting-edge technology. We like the Encore GX’s fuel economy and overall value story, too.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of subcompact SUVs, including the Encore GX.

Buick didn’t overtax itself, enhancing the Encore GX for 2025. It did adapt the base 1.2-liter engine to accept E85 fuel. Adding bright chrome lug nuts to the wheels is another small step forward. Otherwise, Aquamarine Blue Metallic paint has replaced Sunrise Red Metallic on the exterior color palette.

Buick’s “nicer than mainstream, cheaper than luxury” approach means some rivals cost less and others are more expensive. The Lexus UX hybrid could be a luxury contender, with pricing around $37,000, and will enjoy much better resale values than the Encore GX. Alternatively, consider something mainstream but quite high quality, like the Mazda CX-30, at around $26,000. If an Encore GX is too small, the compact Buick Envision starts in the high-$30,000s.

Before buying a new Encore GX subcompact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should pay. Resale values of the Encore GX are below average. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

There are no real mechanical differences between this and previous model years of the Encore GX. It has a comfortable ride quality and a quiet cabin, considering its size and price. But anyone seeking a thrill or two should look elsewhere.

Neither engine could be described as powerful. Horsepower ratings are 137 or 155. But the more muscular version delivers the best of its thrust at low engine speeds, which is great for driving away from the lights or moving into that gap in the traffic. This is also the one engine that can be paired with all-wheel drive (AWD). Most competitors have base engines delivering between 120 hp and 165 hp. The outlier is the sporty Mazda CX-30 with 191 hp.

Fuel Economy

No matter which engine, the Encore delivers 30 mpg in mixed city-and-highway driving. This is better than average for non-hybrids in the subcompact SUV segment. The Nissan Kicks leads in this area with 33 mpg, while the Honda HR-V is toward the bottom of the group at 28 mpg. Opting for AWD drops the Encore GX’s combined mileage to 27 mpg.

The Encore’s passenger cabin features an 8-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, which are standard across the lineup.

Soft-touch plastics up front — harder, cheaper plastics in the back. That’s how Buick does its almost-luxury thing. It’s logical since the quality perceived by the driver/owner is evident, and accommodating rear passengers may be a rare occurrence. Still, we’ve found pieces like the glove box to feel a little cheap, even in the top trim.

There’s sufficient space for average-sized adults in the back, which isn’t bad for a kind-of-subcompact SUV like the 2025 Encore GX. And headroom isn’t affected to any great degree by adding the optional sunroof.

The rear seats split and fold in the usual 60/40 manner. Behind them is a decent-sized luggage area. The Avenir trim’s front passenger seat folds down (optional in the other trims), so a longer object (like an 8-foot surfboard) can fit diagonally.

For context, the Encore GX provides 36 inches of rear legroom, which is about average for the segment. Behind the backseat, the Encore GX offers 23.5 cubic feet of space, which jumps to 50.2 cubic feet with the second row folded. These numbers are also in line with competitors.

What is there to say? The lines of the Encore GX are chiseled and contemporary. We think it looks good, but it doesn’t stand out.

Active noise cancellation
Buick’s QuietTuning is part of the reason the 2025 Encore GX’s cabin is so quiet. It helps create a more luxurious ambiance. It’s standard equipment on all trims.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Standard across the 2025 Encore GX range, cable-free phone integration is simply a nice convenience. Wi-Fi is also included. We don’t need no stinkin’ cables.

Hands-free tailgate operation
Optional in the top two trims, this feature is always helpful when your hands are full.

All-wheel drive
Every version of the new Encore GX is eligible for all-wheel drive (AWD), which also means choosing the slightly more powerful engine, but that’s no bad thing. All-wheel drive brings extra confidence in rough weather.

Heated Seats and Steering Wheel
The Avenir trim comes standard with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Technology package
Available exclusively with the top Avenir trim, this includes adaptive cruise control, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera system.

Both engines available in the 2025 Encore GX are turbocharged 3-cylinder units. The base version has a displacement of 1.2 liters and makes 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. This engine is only available with front-wheel drive (FWD).

A turbocharged 1.3-liter engine is also available, which is mandatory if all-wheel drive is selected. This one produces 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque.

When paired with front-wheel drive, the two engines have almost no difference in fuel economy. Regular gasoline is fine with any Encore GX.

Front-drive versions have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while those with all-wheel drive employ a 9-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing ability is 1,000 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Buick’s new-vehicle warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These durations are typical among mainstream automakers. The first service is also complimentary.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded its top 5-Star overall rating to the Encore GX. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Encore GX its highest score of Good in the three crash tests it has performed.