The 2024 Buick Encore GX Gets Stylish Updates Inside and Out

The small Encore crossover has been Buick’s best-selling car for years now. The 2024 Encore GX (the smaller non-GX model is discontinued) gets the brand’s new face from the Wildcat concept vehicle, a new instrument panel and the reimagined Tri-Shield logo. Is this enough to temp buyers away from mainstream competitors like Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V or Kia Seltos (or even spendy rigs like Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA or Volvo XC 40)? Tom Voelk checks out a mid-level trim Sport Touring model with the popular option packages.
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).
00:00 Intro
1:10 Competitors
1:43 Pricing
2:32 Powertrain
3:31 Performance
4:34 Ride + Handling
5:50 Fuel Efficiency
6:33 Cargo
7:52 Interior
9:18 Back Seat
10:30 Red Light Green Light
11:29 Summary
12:29 Epilogue
13:20 Before I Go
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[@ericmotion4488]

Buick should make hatches because this looks a hatchback that sits high. Now, that would appeal to the youths.💯

[@ccroy2001]

I wish gasoline hybrids were the new default engine. Rather than makers staying all gas then pure electric. I like the Encore but I don't think I can go back to lower mpg and more maintenance compared to my hybrid.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yup, but GM is going all in on EVs, no hybrids.

[@SueUTube]

​@@DrivenCarReviewsso dumb. Hybrids make more sense.

[@fist003]

from the front view, the tapered roof made it looked taller and a bit out of proportion. great review as usual Tom.

[@fvvfvbbbb]

Great review as always. I am seeing discounts of 6K to 7K on the 2023 model. Seems like a great deal now. Actually prefer its looks over the 2024 refresh.

[@brocklanders6969]

I'm already seeing $3500 discounts on the 2024s.

[@johnbuckingham6895]

I much prefer the front end of the 2023 (the original design) to this rather unfortunate revamp. Perhaps had Buick/GM not grafted the new face (which looks much more appropriate on the Envista) onto the rest of the old body but did a complete restyle, the 2024 Encore GX grille design would work much better.

[@calebwoods9358]

Hey Tom, this video looks especially gorgeous. Did you get a new camera or are you editing your footage differently than before?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Same cam and workflow. Sometimes the light just hits right.

[@AllStars2525]

Great review! You hit all the stuff we in the audience needs to know. I was just about to buy a Crosstrek, but I think the upgrades on the Encore GX are much better.

[@georgeg.7124]

Nice review!

[@robbeason]

Great review. Thanks Tom. What the heck is the business case for making these things?! Rental fleets?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Best selling vehicle Buick makes. Lowered its demographic by 5 years. That’s a good business model to follow.

[@OldThomMerton]

I have to say that I dislike the 'big-mouth shark' grill on the new generation . . . Otherwise I love this vehicle. That first Gen is my favorite of the sub-compact/tweener range SUVs with the Corolla Cross and the new Seltos generation as the runner-ups. We have so many of them over here on the other side of WA state that I literally parked one day next to an Encore GX . . . only to have a second GX immediately park on my other side. Great video as usual, Tom.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

It's Buicks most popular vehicle so there's that.

[@lgbunbury]

I just I can’t get excited about Buick… Never have, never will. Great Review though!

[@Paul-cx4gm]

The color looks good anyway.

[@JCourts2k23]

Weve had one for a couple weeks, Preferred, 1.3, and has the power liftgate. Like you said, sticker says 30 mpg, i havent figured it out the old fashion way, but the display never shows that, ive got it as high as 34.9 on a highway trip, but driving around town the display, is always showing much lower than 30, ive seen it show down to 18 something, but i dont think that can be right.

[@jackhaen]

😀 I have the 2024 Buick Encore ST and it does indeed have a power tailgate. Not much else though.

[@GigaTodd]

Great car. Mine is black. 👍

[@barryw9473]

Tom, thanks for review. Can’t this thing at least have a hybrid drivetrain? Such a disappointment. Where is the PHEV or full BEV? It sells BEVs in China, right?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Buick EVs are coming. Probably fall of 2024. GM doesn't do hybrids, it believes in EVs.

[@barryw9473]

@@DrivenCarReviewsI hope you are right about GM’s beliefs. It’s Ultium execution is pretty lackluster so far.

[@jorgealvarez3917]

Thanks!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thanks man! Much appreciated.

[@JCourts2k23]

I think they could have definetly made the rear seats slide back, and the back recline some, plenty of room

[@BTC909]

If you don't need AWD or a powered liftgate get a Trax.

[@yinyangthang]

Power liftgate is an option on the ST.

[@xanth987]

i tested a gx with turbo and while it was interesting. def better than the last time i was ever in a buick. but the only thing that seemed to bug the hell out of me was the angle of the dash. that slightly angled backward slide. i did enjoy having a prindle shifter again.

[@DannerBanks]

Dang this car is beautiful

[@mrtonysantos]

the ADR @1:27 was smooth

[@DevPack]

Kinda nice actually

[@susanrymes4386]

Front seats unusually narrow on the GX.

[@davidhale9672]

We have the Bose upgrade in our Bolt... meh is a very accurate description. Hard to imagine what the base speakers provide for punch. Bose jumped the shark years ago.

[@fvvfvbbbb]

We have a Bolt EUV with the base stereo. I have to say it sounds pretty good when listening to my mp3s. What source are you listening to?

[@davidhale9672]

@@fvvfvbbbb lossless ALAC mostly. The source music is fine. I was hoping for more punch and bass with the upgrade. Otherwise, we love our Bolt

[@fvvfvbbbb]

@@davidhale9672 sorry to hear.

[@mirceaisaila1454]

Is this Buick Encore based on the european Opel Mokka (first generation)?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Not sure what the current gen Mokka is built on these days since the sale of Opel. But at the very least they used to be the same car.

[@juanitomaxxcarnaje3877]

If you do not need all wheel drive all the time why would you want it? The fact that this vehicle has part time all wheel drive with the driver selectable switch is incredible. You’re saving gas and you’re saving wear and tear on your tires when the flakes start the fall, you can quickly get into all wheel drive and get to where you need to be.

[@corysekine-pettite1783]

I don't see such an expensive and low-powered vehicle having any sort of success here.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

In the past I would point out that GM typically prices its vehicles high so that when you walk into the dealership, they can automatically give you a "screaming deal" by dropping the price 4 grand. These days it's a little tricky with the supply chain and all but I see that coming back as more cars fill up dealer lots.

[@jean-bernardjoly5920]

And average mpg !

[@cornbread70s4]

Agreed! Thumbs down Buick

[@HackHunter1835]

@5:16 Those are Lexus headlight design only mounted upside down. It kind of works for me. The Buick brand will always be near and dear to my heart.

[@itsamilkshake]

I don't think I've seen a new car with a full on antenna in a while.

[@Justcashout]

A lot of new cars have them what you mean???

[@itsamilkshake]

@@Justcashout usually they have those little sharkfins

[@Cerby1979]

Encore replaced by the Envista

[@petemuellner1231]

I'm thinking rental car fleets

[@therealcdnuser]

This looks surprisingly similar to the 23’ Hyundai Kona EV.

[@citibear57]

This 'little Buick' will still sell, as long as there are older seniors who are loyal to the Buick brand. I just became a senior, but I would not consider a Buick. I have ridden in a lot of taxis that are Toyota hybrids, and those seem to be a better vehicle overall (quality, resale value, etc). On the topic of GM, I agree that they are stepping up their game. I have bought three brand-new Chevys in my lifetime, with the last two being awful. I must say that GM is using better paint (?) than in the past, and new GMs look great!

[@TinLeadHammer]

0:20 - 30p converted to 24p? In every four frames there are three small movements and one large jump. Does not look good, especially with a fast shutter speed. Too much stutter.

[@Hazdazos]

The single biggest disappointment for this vehicle is the lack of color in that interior. We are all so bloody sick and tired of black on black on black interiors. Offer white or tan or red seats. That one change alone would dramatically improve the look of the interior. It's design is fine, it's simply the color that is so dull.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Also available in Whisper Beige so there's that.

[@Hazdazos]

@DrivenCarReviews I watch a lot of reviews on a bunch of channels and it always seems like the domestic brands do a terrible job at getting the most interesting models/colors/trim packages out in front of reviewers to test out. Those are the models you guys photographic and record video of. It should be the most photographic, eye-catching version of a car, and yet time and again Ford, GM and Chrysler usually only give you guys boring exterior paint colors and bland black/grey interior colors. I like to try to root for the domestics as much as possible, but damn is it ever hard when they themselves can't put their best foot forward. I'm shocked that this Buick wasn't some boring silver exterior paint color, I guess. Upvote on your fair and honest reviews.

[@ELP1125]

That huge antenna tho 🥴

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I can think of 100 cars that have the exact same shark fin. Including two of mine. Some cars now have two.

[@xray111xxx]

It is a nice car, but not a great car. Safe, conservative, and right mostly for the times. I would still take a Toyota over this. But my Buick is stepping up. I think their full electrics will be the cars to buy.

[@jsundberg5542]

what did you do with all that toilet paper?😊

[@yurkshirelad]

As with all Buicks I've test driven, the interior looks cheaper than Buick wants you to believe.

[@jonathankleinow2073]

I don't trust the wet timing belt design in these enginges and Ford's 3-cyl. EcoBoost. Check out the teardown video "I Do Cars" did on an EcoBoost to see why. I did see a video yesterday on Honda's version of the HR-V for Europe, the ZR-V, and it adds a lot of premium features that I wish they'd bring to the Honda/Acura lineup in the States.

[@brocklanders6969]

The 1.3L has timing chain.

[@southshore0007]

Good review, but at 39k for the top A trim it just simply overpriced 😏

[@arevee9429]

A new Encore too expensive? No problem - wait a year or two, and buy one second-hand, and save lots. GM car values drop like a rock.

[@adammarkowitz7944]

No worries! Next year there will be a 1.4 Liter with 2 additional horsepower, and an 11 speed transmission. Although the vehicle will seat six, don't plan on driving with 6 people in the car. Just sit and enjoy the lovely interior. Then, if you'd like to drive, ask 3 of your friends to take the bus.

[@rdm925]

Although I like the overall design and it has a little more space, the Mazda CX-30 is a better, more reliable and premium car and a better value for the money!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I tend to shy away from reliability because it's not a cut and dried thing (though if a brand is consistently at the bottom of the list I'll flag it). Buick has been in the "most reliable" category for years FWIW. Typically it's in the top five on many lists and normally ahead of Mazda.

[@rdm925]

@@DrivenCarReviews , Thanks for the reply. For a domestic brand my favorite is Buick. I'm not convinced about the 3 cylinder engine though. As an owner of several Mazda's they have been very reliable and I prefer Mazda as a brand.

[@fvvfvbbbb]

I wish Mazda would ease up in the plastic cladding over the wheel wells. Also have to be careful about getting in and out of it. The lower roof line tends to mean you can hit your head...😢

[@jiggity76]

Buicks new face...along with a lot of other new GM models is terrible looking. It's face reminds me of Deadpool's. Totally ok for him, just don't want my car to look like that. It's headlights are also in the wrong place and that color is horrid as well. Love Tom Voelk's videos though, he always has such great information and fantastic entertainment video editing.

[@jeffer1101]

The only premium thing about this is the price. It's a cheap car, with a budget powertrain that's made in Korea (despite the new patriotic red, white and blue badge). I like premium small vehicles as I don't personally need something big, and typically smaller vehicles are often saddled with cheaper interiors (hard plastics, etc) and budget powertrain, audio and features. So I like to see new premium offerings in this class, but the only thing I like about it is the exterior design and paint colour. I built an Avenir with some nice options and it is $44, 105. That's a lot of money for a cheap car with a nice jacket. For comparison's sake, a Kia Sportage Hybrid is $46,433. Uses half the fuel, is slightly larger to give a bit more cabin space, has a more premium interior space and is fully featured. While I personally wouldn't get the Sportage Hybrid, it's a FAR better vehicle for comparable money.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

As much as I (kinda) agree with you, it's my opinion that many of entry-level premium brand vehicles aren't quite as upmarket as they might be at the prices being charge. The engines are more coarse that one would expect, and materials not up to S-Class or Q7 levels. Watch my GLB or EQB video where I point that out. I feel the mainstream brands offer the same for much less (other than a prestige logo). Not sure how you got $44K, fully loaded with expensive paint I got $41K.

[@brocklanders6969]

I'm in the market for a new vehicle and specifically sub-compact SUVs. Like you, I don't want/need a large vehicle. These are usually available with large discounts. I'm already seeing $3500 off 2024s MSRP, so I will probably still take a look at it as well as the new Buick Envista. However, I think the Mazda CX-30 is likely going to win the day for me. My Bro In Law has the new Hybrid Tucson and I find it too big.

[@ATRichard]

The Encore GX is definitely more expensive than some competitors and lacks a little refinement for a “premium brand”. But the best way to get into one of these cheap is to go for the Preferred trim with limited options for around $32k and AWD, or to just get an Envista (if you want a cheaper Buick) or an Envision (if you want a more premium feeling Buick, but not an Enclave). I’m also curious how you got 46k for a Sportage Hybrid??? Was it the PHEV? The most expensive Sportage Hybrid I priced was around $41,000 where a PHEV did reach $46,000 with every option and paint checked. I would say that a Sportage would be a better value if you got the right spec of one (EX gas or EX hybrid seem to be the best values).

[@jeffer1101]

@@ATRichard I am not sure where you are located, but I am in Canada so the price I gave is the CAD price here for them.

[@ATRichard]

@@jeffer1101 Ohhh gotcha - I have USD prices. Makes sense now.

[@ajgraham1983]

That frontend is a ripoff of the Urus. The headlights are almost identical except for the taper.

[@cw4623]

Tom doesn't actually review cars, he just advertises for car companies. Literally only ever positive things to say about the cars he reviews. Never criticizes any awful design decisions, etc. Might as well just watch a commercial.

[@jimgarrity2414]

137 hp. 0 to 60 in 5 tries I guess...

[@tedneanderthal7373]

The new Buick styling is bland and does not look sufficiently upscale or distinctive. GM continues to be a brand killer.

[@eden5260]

It is soo Chinese Probably the only place they still sell cars

[@trentbriggs3001]

Front seats only made for skinny people.

[@SGC03]

Oh dear. This looks like it’s come from a far east manufacturers who’s trying to break into the US market. I can feel the interior cheapness from here.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Very nicely screwed together actually. Great paint too.

[@jayczyzyk7607]

Nice reveiw product pure garbage 😢

[@dennisthewalker]

This thing look like an uglier Bolt EUV lol.

[@fvvfvbbbb]

Hey, I love the way my Bolt EUV looks and drives.

[@robertpettigrew3862]

That shot of the vehicle going downhill heading towards the water. You should have left in gear and jumped..more overpriced GM junk.👎👎

[@reserva120]

1960's Buick engineer " 1.2 or1.3Liter?".. you mean the AC compressor!

[@MercilessGuitar151]

Loaded with cheap GM plastics, what a shame. Way over priced for what you get and poor fuel efficiency. GM fails again as usual.

[@stevedolan5065]

Unfortunately, unless you spring for a Mercedes, BMW or something else in that price range all cars are loaded with plastic pieces that looks cheap and don’t last. They tell us it’s about weight and fuel economy…that’s part of it but it’s mostly about $$…imho

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Look at a GLA or Q3 and you'll see much the same type of plastic down below. Fuel efficiency is the same or better than the premium brands. And statistically GM reliability tends to be better.

[@stevedolan5065]

@@DrivenCarReviews I’m not referring to the pieces that cover the bottom of the cars…I’m talking interior stuff, plus outside mirrors…plastic “chrome” trim, grills etc.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@stevedolan5065 True, some materials in premium brand cabins are an upgrade from the Buick, but should be considering the price. The exterior stuff you refer to is much the same. I've spent 20 years wiping cars down for photography and it's not like the grilles and trim are much better. Here and there maybe. The exterior build on the GX was as good as any premium brand. The paint was especially well done.