Buick Introduces the New 2021 Encore GX Sport Touring

For General Motors (GM), the Buick brand has produced the Encore for its entry-level luxury segment for about a decade since its first production model in 2012. Buick has been selling premium-looking vehicles at affordable price points for consumers that desire practicality and a hint of luxury in a harmonious combination. Although not above GM’s more luxurious Cadillac brand, the Buick brand has access to a wider demographic of consumers by positioning itself between Chevrolet and Cadillac. This happy medium is an attractive offering to the type of buyer that has a budget but still craves for that hint of American luxury that can be found on higher-end vehicles, like the Escalade for example. For 2021, Buick is offering a sport-touring package for the Encore Essence, Buick’s top-level trim for their compact SUV in an effort to add more flavor to their line-up. Buick has decided to add extra exterior design cues to the Encore in the hope of capturing a younger consumer demographic to gain market share from its competitors in the compact SUV segment and they are well on their way to accomplishing that goal for the 2021 model year.

Looking at the Exterior

At first glance, the Encore GX equipped with the $650 sport-touring package will immediately stand out from the lower trims. This is due to the attractive exterior design cues that the sport-touring package offers such as a more prominent aggressive grille and muscular body contouring. In addition, the GX comes standard with LED headlights and taillights which will give the SUV a premium complexion at night. If you opt for the sport-touring package, you will get red accents on the grille, 18-inch wheels, and a sporty rear diffuser for added aesthetic appeal. The sport-touring package for the Encore GX will lean more to a younger audience and the older individual who seeks to have a little more flavor in their ride. 

For a more general understanding of the available trim levels for the Encore, here are the trim levels and standard features for 2021 according to Buick:

Preferred: Entry Level

• Buick Driver Confidence
• Buick QuietTuning™ Technology
• 18” Aluminum Wheels
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto™
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• 8” Diagonal Buick Infotainment System

Select: Mid-Tier

• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto™
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• Heated Driver and Front Passenger Seats
• Remote Vehicle Starter System
• Automatic Dual-Zone Climate Control

Essence: Top Trim

• Leather-Appointed Seating
• LED Headlamps and Taillamps
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto™
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• Heated, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Air Ionizer
• 120-Volt Outlet, Rear of Center Console

Optional Sport Touring Package: $650 Upgrade

• Body-color rocker moldings
• Bodyside body-color moldings
• Custom grille with Red accents
• 18″ Medium Android High Gloss wheels with Dark Android High Gloss inserts
• Front and rear Sport bumpers with Red accents
• Sporting Touring badge

Inside the Cabin

For its starting price of $24,200, the Encore GX is surprisingly spacious and refined with premium interior materials like genuine leather and an eight-inch touchscreen while incorporating soft-touch plastics rather well to keep the price point down. With the luxury-inspired Essence trim, heated seats, and dual-zone climate controls are standard, including a head-up display that will showcase information like speed, a rearview camera mirror, and power-adjustable seats.

Engine Performance

Buick has taken a unique approach when it comes to engine design, by incorporating turbocharged three-cylinder engines as the strategy moving forward. Two engine types will be offered in the Encore GX, a 1.2 L which is capable of 137 hp, and an optional 1.3 L that outputs 155 hp, and both are powered by a CVT nine-speed automatic transmission with the option of front or all-wheel-drive capability. Since the engine displacement of the Buick Encore is so small, the SUV is geared more toward fuel efficiency rather than full-blown performance, so if fuel economy is the number one priority on your list, the Buick Encore could be a perfect fit for you.

Fuel Economy

The EPA estimates that Buick’s three-cylinder engines are capable of achieving up to 32 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in the city. For the consumer looking to get a fuel-efficient vehicle, a Buick Encore GX is a great option. Most families today are looking for an SUV that is fuel-efficient, so the Buick Encore GX can make a great choice, whether you decide to go with the sport-touring package or not, all Buick Encores come standard with 13.2-gallon fuel tanks, and depending on the amount of driving you are doing, fuel range estimates can be between 370 to 400 miles.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX Right for You?

Buick is known for its affordable appeal and entry-luxury aesthetics that give Buick cars their subtle, refined look. Buick Encore GX models come with quality crafted interiors and very intuitive infotainment systems that make Encores an attractive choice for the family or the young individual. Buicks sit in the middle of affordability and luxury that isn’t over the top, and if you are looking for a small SUV that won’t break the bank, for the family or city commute, a Buick Encore GX can be the perfect vehicle for you, in addition, if you opt for the sport-touring package, you can add a little extra style to your driving. For more information on Buick Encore GX models, you can contact us at Southern Buick GMC Lynnhaven, and take a look at our inventory for amazing deals and discounts you don’t want to miss. Call us today!

Image Source: Buick