2023 Buick Encore GX: Choosing the Right Trim

The 2023 Buick Encore GX straddles the line between a compact and subcompact crossover SUV, which is only one of its many advantages. Based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Encore GX offers expressive styling, a roomy interior, plus loads of Buick luxury and convenience features. It also provides a choice between two fuel-efficient turbocharged 3-cylinder engines, the larger of which is standard on models equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Price-wise, the Encore GX undercuts luxury competitors like the Audi Q3, Lexus UX, and BMW X1 by thousands of dollars while offering more standard features than the Honda HR-V or Kia Seltos. However, the Encore GX’s Japanese and European rivals still hold the advantage of superior horsepower or having an available hybrid powertrain.

Due to the ongoing microchip shortage, certain Encore GX features such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear parking sensors may be deleted or retrofitted later. Be sure to check with your Buick dealer at the time of purchase.

2023 Buick Encore GX Preferred ($25,900)

The first of three trims, the 2023 Encore GX Preferred offers a nice set of features and options at a very reasonable price. Power for the Preferred comes from a 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder good for 137 horsepower. This engine comes standard on the front-drive model (FWD), featuring a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Opting for the AWD Encore GX adds another $2,000 to the bottom line and includes a 155-hp 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Buick’s selectable AWD includes a button that locks the all-wheel-drive system, so it’s always engaged.

The Preferred rides on big 18-inch alloy wheels and touts such desirable features as proximity key keyless entry and start, active front grille shutter, automatic halogen headlights, LED fog lights, and heated side mirrors. Also standard is a 16-inch compact spare tire, an acoustic laminated windshield, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, and a rear wiper with a washer.

To ensure the safest possible driving experience, the Encore GX Preferred comes standard with Buick’s Driver Confidence package that includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance system warning when you’re driving too close to the vehicle ahead.

Additional safety systems include electronic traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, a rearview monitor, a tire pressure monitor with tire fill alert (which gives visual and audible alerts when inflating a tire to the proper pressure), and Teen Driver that allows you to set limits or alerts on certain features, such as radio volume and speed.

The Preferred features cloth and leatherette upholstery, manual front seat adjustment, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a 4.2-inch color driver information screen, and power windows with driver’s express up/down. Also on the list are single-zone manual climate control and a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with controls for audio, Bluetooth, and cruise control.

Other Preferred features include a dual glovebox, sliding visors with lighted vanity mirrors, and a rear window defogger. Missing from the Encore GX are back seat A/C vents, which are unavailable on any trim.

The Preferred’s infotainment system features an 8-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth streaming audio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Buick Connected Services, and a 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.

The audio system includes an AM/FM radio with six speakers, one USB-A and one USB-C port in front, two rear-seat USB charge ports at the back of the center console, and Active Noise Cancellation that uses the car’s speakers to produce counteracting sound waves to reduce interior noise levels.

Options for the Preferred include the Sport Touring Package that adds remote start, body-color rockers and side moldings, a custom grille, unique 18-inch wheels, and sport bumpers.

The Cold Weather Comfort Package adds heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, and remote vehicle start.

The Safety Package brings a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic detection, and rear park assist, which may be missing from the package due to the ongoing microchip shortage.

Other options include a Trailering Package, a hands-free power liftgate, a panoramic power moonroof, a keyless entry keypad, and a painted black roof.

With the $1,295 destination charge, the 2023 Buick Encore GX Preferred costs $27,195. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, you can expect a monthly payment of about $489. See 2023 Buick Encore GX Preferred models for sale near you

2023 Buick Encore GX Preferred includes:

• Proximity keyless entry and start – With the key fob in your purse or pocket, you need only touch a button on the door handle to lock and unlock the vehicle. Once inside, a push of a button starts the engine.
• Lane-keeping assist – One of the numerous driver aids designed to help keep the Encore GX safe, this system reads the lane markers and warns the driver if the vehicle is about to depart the lane. If the driver fails to respond, the system can even help steer the car back to its intended path.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows wireless connection to an Apple or Android smartphone with access to apps, navigation, music, and message, all via the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen.
• Automatic high-beam headlights – Buick’s IntelliBeam headlights automatically dim the high beams when sensing approaching traffic or activate them when detecting low light situations needing better illumination.

2023 Buick Encore GX Select ($27,300)

The Select offers the option of a 1.3-liter engine on the front-drive model, which is standard when ordering AWD.

Some of the Preferred’s optional features come standard on the Select, such as heated front seats and remote start.

The Select then adds dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, a rear-seat center armrest, and roof-mounted side rails.

Options for the Select trim include the Advanced Technology Package that adds SiriusXM 360L, GPS navigation, adaptive cruise control, HD Surround Vision 360-degree external camera system, rear park assist (may be deleted at production time), and a head-up display.

The Experience Buick Package adds a panoramic glass moonroof and 18-inch wheels with chrome inserts.

With the $1,295 destination charge, the 2023 Buick Encore GX Select costs $28,595. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, you can expect a monthly payment of about $514. See 2023 Buick Encore GX Select models for sale near you

2023 Buick Encore GX Select includes:

• 10-way power driver seat – Allows more selectable positions for better comfort and includes 2-way power lumbar support to help lessen lower back fatigue.
• Blind-spot monitor – The blind-spot monitor alerts the driver to vehicles driving in the vehicle’s blind spot. If it’s unsafe to make a lane change, it will flash a light in the side mirror when the turn signal is activated.
• Dual-zone automatic climate control – This system allows the driver and passenger to select their temperature settings.
• Available HD Surround View monitor  – Uses multiple cameras to create a 360-degree bird’s eye view outside the vehicle, offering nine different scenery views around the Encore GX.

2023 Buick Encore GX Essence ($30,500)

The top-line Essence gets the best of everything the Encore GX offers. Building off the Select, the Essence comes standard with the 1.3-liter engine for FWD and AWD models.

Adding to the Essence theme is a leather interior, a heated steering wheel, LED headlights and taillights, plus an air ionizer and 120-volt outlet. The passenger seat is upgraded to an 8-way power-adjustable unit with 2-way power lumbar, while the driver’s seat gains a memory feature for the seat and side mirrors.

In addition to the available packages mentioned for the Select trim, buyers can further upgrade the Essence with the Convenience Package that adds Automatic Parking Assist with braking, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera mirror with washer, and a wireless charging pad.

Audiophiles will want to upgrade to the Essence trim’s 7-speaker Bose audio system.

With the $1,295 destination charge, the 2023 Buick Encore GX Essence costs $31,795. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, you can expect a monthly payment of about $571. See 2023 Buick Encore GX Essence models for sale near you

2023 Buick Encore GX Essence includes:

• Heated steering wheel – By warming the steering wheel, this feature makes it easy to grip the wheel after a night sitting in sub-freezing temperatures.
• 8-way power passenger seat – Additional adjustments allow the passenger to find a more comfortable position. The seat includes 2-way power lumbar support and a fold-flat feature that creates a longer cargo floor.
• Available Automatic Parking Assist – This clever feature can automatically parallel or perpendicularly park the vehicle with minimal assistance from the driver.
• Available rear camera mirror – Replaces the traditional glass rearview mirror with a monitor and camera setup, showing a view behind the vehicle without passengers or headrests blocking the view.