We don’t have flying cars, sadly. What we do have, however, is a slew of new vehicles releasing this year, many of which have exceeded expectations set by fans and critics alike. While rarely on a downward trend, the automotive market is arguably better than it ever has been, and one of the easiest ways to see this for yourself is by looking at the latest releases. One, in particular, has caught our eye, and that’s the 2022 Buick Encore GX.
Certain brand names can be defined with only one word, and in the case of Buick, it’s luxury. This year’s Encore GX may not stray from last year’s set of features, but it’s far beyond what some other manufacturers are currently offering, so it earns a deserved pass this year. With that said, if you’re in the market for a brand new vehicle, this year’s Encore GX is the one for you. We’ve compiled a list of our top five favorite features that you can look forward to when you drive your new vehicle off the lot.
#1 Hands-Free Power Liftgate
Has this ever happened to you? Your hands are full, maybe the bag of groceries is starting to tear from the bottom, but you still have to open the back of your vehicle. If you have, you may know how stressful this can be. Introducing the Hands-Free Power Liftgate, a revolutionary way that we can access the back of our vehicles in times where our hands are full. Buick may not be the company to first introduce this feature, but it’s something that you won’t want to live without once you’ve had it.
Here’s how it works. Vehicles such as the Encore GX utilize a keyfob, which you can just simply consider a regular key. However, as long as you have this keyfob on you, all you’ll have to do is raise your foot under the bumper, and the door will open right up; it’s as simple as that. If you don’t have the keyfob on you, it won’t work, but you won’t be getting far without the keyfob anyways.
#2 QuietTuning Technology
One of our all-time favorite features of the Encore GX is what Buick calls QuietTuning Technology. You know when you’re on the highway, and even when the windows are closed, the sound of the wind is still quite audible? This may not seem like an annoyance right now, but once you experience QuietTuning technology, you’ll understand how tedious this can get. To accomplish this, Buick had to build the interior around it with a mixture of better seals after you shut the door of your vehicle, and the glass has been specially crafted to provide a more quiet ride, even when traveling at high speeds. Combined, the ride will be far more calming.
According to Buick, it’s reasons like this why you should also invest in the Bose premium audio system. One severely complements the other, and even though the six-speaker setup that comes standard with the Encore GX will get the job done, upgrading is highly recommended. The Bose premium audio system has seven speakers, and you may be thinking, “But, that’s only one more speaker.” True, but numbers aren’t everything, and it’s more about the quality of said speakers. There’s no comparison between the standard speakers you get and the luxury of receiving a phenomenal audio system from one of the most revered audio companies in the entire world.
#3 Infotainment Center
It’s impossible for me not to mention the techy side of things for the 2022 Encore GX. Included in every trim level of the Encore GX is an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen that will allow you to access the radio, apps, Bluetooth capability, and so much more. The 2022 Encore GX also includes Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With wireless connectivity, it’s more of a luxury as a majority of vehicles still utilize the older Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which requires a USB connection. Yes, the Encore GX features a USB port, even one of the newer USB-C ports, which allows for faster charging and data transfer if your phone supports it.
With the wireless variant of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, your iPhone or Android phone will serve as an integrated part of the infotainment experience. This allows you to stay in contact with people trying to reach you, access your music libraries or streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music, and even utilize your favorite map apps such as Waze, Google Maps, and more.
#4 Wireless Smartphone Charging
The Buick Encore GX can include a Wireless Charging Pad for your smartphone if it supports the feature, which most modern ones do. There’s nothing to it; all you have to do is lay your smartphone on the pad, and it’ll start charging. Combined with the other features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you won’t have to clutter your interior with cables anymore or even worry about forgetting a cable at home if you only have one. Even in more specific scenarios – for example, having a phone with a broken charging port, which can certainly happen – you can still charge your phone to full capacity. Many vehicles still omit this feature, which becomes even more interesting in a world that’s rapidly switching to wireless technology. We’re ecstatic to see it here, and it makes us hopeful for the future, such as the possibility of a dual charging pad.
#5 Automatic Parking Assist With Braking
The last of our top five features eliminates what many would consider being the most egregious part of driving, parallel parking. Have you ever heard the saying, “The best way to parallel park is to find another place to park”? That saying isn’t for nothing, as parallel parking is annoying, stressful, and dangerous if you’re not careful. Some states still include parallel parking on their tests, causing despair and failures for students taking road tests. By this point, many states have eliminated this tedious task from the test altogether, if that gives you an idea of how annoying and stressful it is.
However, even with all the stress and anxiety it can cause, parallel parking is something that can’t be avoided sometimes. Even those who know how to parallel park will actively avoid it. But no longer is this an issue with Automatic Parking Assist with Braking. Simply press a button, and the vehicle will enter this mode. Of course, the driver is still responsible for shifting into reverse and drive when needed, but the steering is completely autonomous. Automatic Parking Assist includes braking, so your Encore GX will know when to stop, but Buick still advises the driver to use their awareness to prevent any accidents and override the system if needed.
It Doesn’t Stop There
We may have only described our top five features for the Encore GX, but everyone is bound to have their own favorites. The best part is, we haven’t even begun to touch the surface of what this vehicle can offer drivers. The 2022 Encore GX, while light on new features, is leaps and bounds greater than plenty of the competition that we see today. We haven’t even discussed things such as performance, cargo space, and more.
