The 2024 Buick Encore GX Isn’t Fooling Anybody

Earlier than I put myself within the newest version of Buick’s Encore compact SUV, all of my analysis revealed that the 125-year-old automaker was shifting in a path of constructing luxurious extra attainable. To Buick, going by way of a rebirth meant bringing options you’d discover on dearer autos to a sub-$40k value level.

That is one thing Buick advertising director Samuel Russell reiterated in our dialog. “It’s about understanding luxurious as a worth equation versus luxurious autos having to price a excessive quantity,” he defined. 

So after I picked up my Encore GX in mid-level ST trim, I naturally had considerably excessive expectations. The extent of my Buick expertise is locked in Americana from the mid-Twentieth century by way of basic rides and a few sedans older family had within the late Nineties and early 2000s. What I ended up realizing was that the methods through which Buick is making an attempt to reinvent itself are skinny sufficient that, sadly, any half-savvy purchaser will see proper by way of them. 

An Exterior Value Mentioning

I’ll say that Buick’s design workforce did a passable job elevating the Encore’s outdoors traces. This isn’t a half-bad small SUV to look over. Whereas the “copper ice metallic” (assume muted orange) paint isn’t for everybody, it did swimsuit this sheet metallic properly. That is the kind of design Ford in all probability needs it had for the EcoSport, given the sq. footage is an identical.

The sliver-thin headlights are interesting, and a gaping mouth grille would allude to the concept that that is one thing greater than an as-tested $35,000 car. For a small footprint, the sightlines are typically good, with no actual blind spot. Buick additionally did a pleasant job of elevating this AWD-equipped model off the bottom simply sufficient to really feel succesful with out venturing into dune buggy territory. 

A Forgettable Inside 

Once I first sat within the Encore GX, what struck me was simply how…non-luxurious every part was. There’s a variety of plastic and usually low cost finishes. The seats are slim and difficult. The infotainment system is extraordinarily fundamental and the middle console has laughably small cup holders. I assumed turning on some music on my preliminary drive house may buffer out a few of the distinction, however even a $500 Bose sound system couldn’t snuff out an unforgivable quantity of highway noise. 

What’s extra, the passenger seat has handbook seat controls and there’s basically no local weather management past normal A/C. Anybody in search of a “luxurious” possibility will definitely discover extra with similarly-priced autos, or one thing costing only a bit extra. 

There have been greater than $5,000 in add-ons in my tester, and the standard and format of the inside simply merely doesn’t warrant that price. It has that immediate “rental automobile” really feel – one thing you’d drive on trip, however not one thing you’d need to spend every day commuting in. 

A Additional Lack of Utility and Oomph

One of many methods I like to check these compact SUVs is by how a lot gear I can get within the again. If it will possibly stow my small highway bike with each wheels on, plus another necessities, I name {that a} win.

The Encore GX couldn’t maintain tempo the place the Honda HR-V I drove earlier within the 12 months excelled. I needed to take away my entrance wheel and that gulped up a lot of the true property. There’s simply not a variety of rear house, even with the seats folded down. Tall drivers needn’t apply right here – you’re higher off with one thing bigger, particularly when you plan to spend any time in any respect within the again seat. 

Though the Encore’s push-button AWD system was able to going up and down some graded gravel, that utility loses all impetus on any kind of common highway. I discovered myself mashing on the pedal to encourage the 137 horsepower because it gurgled as much as freeway speeds. Once more, it’s not that easy, alluring journey you’d anticipate from a marketed “luxurious” model.

Revving that engine additionally loses any net-benefit gasoline mileage in a car that already will get beneath 30 mpg. I seen that I used to be burning by way of gas considerably rapidly – a sense that grows extra stale as glorious hybrid choices emerge throughout the business and on this class.

Misplaced Someplace Between Younger Consumers and an EV Transition 

Underpinning my time with the Encore GX is Buick’s acknowledged ambition to be a fully-electric model by 2030. Russell was fast to notice that Buick participates in 40% of the general auto section (because it doesn’t have all car classes, like a pickup, for instance), however it’s a must to marvel the place a gas-powered small SUV would match right into a future lineup. He stated that the Encore might be a possible entry level for brand spanking new consumers to Buick within the type of both this current gasoline car or a future EV, however nothing has been formally confirmed. 

He’s additionally fast to clarify that Buick has a car lineup for its “broadest viewers in a very long time,” however with competitors fierce within the compact/subcompact SUV class, I’m inclined to assume that the Encore GX is low on the procuring listing. There’s simply merely not sufficient right here and it’s not priced competitively sufficient to warrant a severe look. 

Buick doesn’t actually land anyplace close to the steady: The Mazda MX-30 is extra enjoyable to drive, the Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek have extra general utility and even inside GM’s personal portfolio Chevy and GMC have choices value a glance.

So whereas a wider swath of consumers is perhaps giving Buick a search for now, the Encore actually doesn’t really feel primed to age properly, maybe getting misplaced en path to that hopeful EV transition.