The smallest Buick ever is now a little bit bigger.
Well, except for what's under its hood, where you'll find the smallest engine ever put in a Buick. Just three-cylinder and 1.2 liters. There are motorcycles with more engine.
But there is an option to buy a bigger engine. And the Encore GX comes standard with more passenger and cargo room than the Encore without the GX.
Buick continues to sell both Encores, on the theory that one size might not fit all.
What It Is
The Encore GX is the slightly larger version — the encore — of the just-Encore.
Both are compact-sized crossovers with very compact engines. But the Encore GX's engines (there are two of them) are even more so.
Instead of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, there are either of two turbocharged three-cylinder engines to pick from.
Prices start at $24,200 for the base Preferred trim, which comes with a turbocharged 1.2-liter, three-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive.
All-wheel drive is available optionally.
So equipped, the MSRP is $26,700.
A top-of-the-line Essence trim with a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder (and AWD) stickers for $30,600. This trim also comes with leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and the option to buy an automated parking system.
Or you can still pick the other Encore, if you prefer a bigger (1.4-liter) engine and a bit less room for passengers and cargo.
Prices for that Encore start at $24,600.
What's New
The 1.3-liter engine that was formerly optional in the top-of-the-line Essence trim is now standard with that trim.
What's Good
Smaller engine gets bigger gas mileage.
Encore GX is roomier than the just-Encore ... and costs a bit less, too.
AWD is available with the standard engine.
What's Not So Good
Mileage gains aren't big with either engine.
Bigger engine is only available in the higher (and pricier) trims.
This Buick — either of them — could fit inside the trunks of Buicks of once upon a time.
Under The Hood
The other Encore comes standard with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, its small size boosted by a turbo to summon 155 horsepower and 177 foot-pounds of torque at 2,000 RPM.
This engine was, and still is, paired with a six-speed automatic and either FWD (standard) or AWD (optionally available).
The FWD-equipped version carried ( carries ) an EPA rating of 24 city, 32 highway; with AWD, this dips slightly to 23 city, 30 highway.
The Encore GX comes standard with a smaller 1.2-liter engine, also turbocharged. It produces 137 horsepower and 162 foot-pounds of torque at 2,500 RPM, a diminishment in both, for a slight gain in gas mileage to 29 city, 31 highway.
The optional 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine manages to just about equal the output of the other Encore's standard 1.4-liter engine.
You get the same 155 horsepower — and almost the same 174 foot-pounds of torque. You also get a nine-speed automatic transmission in lieu of the otherwise standard continuously variable automatic when you order AWD.
On The Road
1.2 liters and 137 horsepower is not a lot to move even this much Buick.
The optional 1.3-liter engine offers only a slight improvement, getting you to 60 in just over nine seconds.
At The Curb
You almost need a tape measure to tell the difference between the Encore GX and the other (but still available) Encore. They both look essentially the same. But the GX iteration of the Encore is about three inches longer overall than the old version you can still buy.
The slight stretch yields up 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of the GX versus 18.8 cubic feet behind the second row of the just-Encore. Fold the GX's rear seats and the total capacity opens up to 50.2 cubic feet (from 48.4 previously/currently).
You can also fold the front passenger seat flat, greatly increasing the useable potential cargo-carrying space relative to others that lack this feature.
The Rest
In a faint whiff kind of way, there is a scent of the bigness that used to define what a Buick once was.
You also get a few more standard luxury upgrades, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-speaker stereo with satellite radio, Wi-Fi and keyless ignition.
You don't get some other features, such as climate control air conditioning or a power driver's seat, that you kind of expect to be standard in a Buick, unless you move up to the Select or Essence trim.
Buick also limits GPS and other options such as adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree remote-view camera system to the Select and Essence trims, where they are optional.
The Bottom Line
Size still matters ... a little.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
View the Buick Encore GX this week.
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