Buick is the go-to brand for families needing SUVs that provide practicality and luxury. With a wide range of opulent vehicles that have the features busy families need, there is a reason that Buick is so trusted by drivers everywhere. Buick models are very sturdy and are sure to last a long time. This is why you are looking for that perfect model for your family at a used Buick dealership so that you can get the best that Buick offers on an accessible basis.
But which Buick model is the best? With so many different options available, it can take time to narrow it down. When reviewing their lineup, it is clear that Buick has a variety of high-caliber vehicles on display. But if one car will catch people’s eye, it is the Buick Encore, a model that has offered drivers plenty of efficiency, performance, and comfort over the years. Of course, in more recent years, Encore has taken on new life in the form of the Buick Encore GX, which takes the foundations that the standard Buick Encore brings to the table and attempts to offer an even more advanced experience on all fronts.
The decision between these two vehicles is a tough one. The world of used Buick Encore models itself is vast, with plenty to offer drivers who need to tackle busy schedules and lots of versatility over the various vehicle year offerings that have spanned the Encore model’s lifetime. However, newer, more advanced models such as the Encore GX have lots in store on the fronts of technology and innovation, making them excellent choices for those who want to make the most of their SUV’s technology, safety, and comfort features. So, which one is right for you? If you want to find out, look at these two options side-by-side to see which one is right for you.
Performance
Buick vehicles feature performance that is well suited to families, specifically those who live in cities. Therefore, attributes such as efficiency and dexterity are often emphasized in the various models throughout their lineup, and with the Buick Encore, this is especially true. The Buick Encore GX does feature an impressive level of power under the hood, but depending on which iteration of the standard Encore you are looking at, the used model may trump the Encore GX in one way or another. Hence, it is essential to review any given model’s specs carefully.
The standard Buick Encore features a tried-and-true powertrain that has needed little upgrading over the years. However, in recent years, it has made some strides to increase the punch it packs, such as in the 2020 Buick Encore model, which comes fitted with a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces up to 138 horsepower as its standard powertrain. This engine functions in tandem with a 6-speed transmission, making this iteration of the Encore nimble enough for city driving.
The 2023 Buick Encore GX features a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine as its standard powertrain, which produces 137 horsepower. While this may be slightly less powerful than the 2020 Encore model’s power rating, the 2023 Encore GX makes up for this in the fact that it also offers an additional 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine option, which is capable of producing up to 155 horsepower, a definite step up from the 2020 model’s engine. However, the 2023 Encore GX model’s additional engine does, of course, increase the vehicle’s price tag.
Efficiency
One of the ways in which Buick vehicles shine among the competition is in their unbeatable fuel economies. Buick vehicles are designed primarily for driving in urban areas, so they are naturally built to keep drivers on the road for longer, and the Buick Encore and Encore GX models display this attribute particularly well, even among Buick vehicles.
Regarding fuel efficiency, a particular Buick Encore model from previous years that offers the best on this front is the 2016 Buick Encore. This vehicle iteration features a fuel economy that will help city drivers with daily commutes and other activities, achieving up to 25 mpg in cities and 33 mpg on highways. No matter where this version of the Buick Encore is, it will save drivers money and get them where they need to go more effectively than the rest. However, the drawback is that the 2016 model, while efficient, is sure to be significantly less advanced and robust in the way of technology and safety features.
The 2023 Encore GX features a fuel economy that will also serve city drivers in the best way possible, capable of getting up to 29 mpg in cities and 32 mpg on highways. With a substantial increase in efficiency in cities, this model will keep drivers on urban roads longer than the 2016 model and with more advanced technology at their fingertips. Though, as mentioned, this slightly better fuel economy and more advanced technology will surely come at a far steeper cost than a pre-owned model.
Safety
Buick vehicles are built to last a long time, and part of making that happen is giving them the safety features that families need to drive with peace of mind and help ensure that harm does not befall the vehicle or anyone inside. Being the luxury family vehicles they are, the Buick Encore and Encore GX models have traditionally featured some of the most advanced, cutting-edge technology when it comes to safety. Hence, they are sure to keep drivers and passengers as safe as they can be throughout their journeys.
The 2019 Buick Encore features a host of safety features that are still quite advanced, even a few years after the vehicle’s initial release. These safety features include a rear vision camera, which can help you keep tabs on what’s behind you when parking or backing up, a great feature for daily life in the city. This version of the Encore also came standard with a Stabilitrak stability control system with traction control, which helps to keep drivers in command of the vehicle no matter what conditions they may be facing. The 2019 Buick Encore also comes standard with ten airbags, which provide optimal protection in the event of a crash.
Coming standard with the Buick Driver Confidence safety feature suite, the 2023 Buick Encore GX has many safety features that are a cut above the competition on all fronts. These include front pedestrian braking and forward collision alert, which detects potential hazards that may appear in the road ahead, alerting the driver of their presence so that they can avoid potential danger. Automatic emergency braking also works with these features, allowing the Encore GX to apply the brake pressure necessary to side-step accidents in the making. Lane-keeping assist and lane departure warnings also help to keep drivers right where they are supposed to be and alert them if they may be veering off someplace they may not intend to.
Conclusion
Trying to decide between the Buick Encore and the Buick Encore GX is incredibly difficult, especially when considering used models from previous years of the standard Buick Encore model’s production history. Both of these vehicles offer fantastic features that can be of endless utility to families in city areas, and deciding which car fits your specific style and needs can be arduous, especially when they are so similar in many different ways.
Ultimately, the main difference to consider between these two models is pricing. A used Buick Encore will set you back significantly less than a more recent Buick Encore GX, which offers a more heightened experience even when compared to Encore models of the same vehicle year. However, with various versatile features that provide a more advanced and dynamic experience in multiple ways, the Buick Encore GX is a fantastic family vehicle that can help you make the most of any drive you set out on.
Which model is suitable for you? Well, only you can decide that. There is no doubt that these two Buicks are some of the best the brand has to offer, so you can be sure that as long as the vehicle has the term “Encore” in its title, you are getting one of the best vehicles they offer.
