Looking around your local Buick dealer, you’ll find crossovers and SUVs in all shapes and sizes. If you’re looking for something on the more compact end that has a sporty look and feel, you’ll want to check out the Encore GX. Since its debut for the 2020 year, the Encore GX has been praised for its exterior style, luxurious interior, and affordability. For the 2024 model year, it’s clear at first sight that this SUV has a whole new look inside and out. But the changes aren’t only skin deep. If you’re unsure whether to spring for a new model or an older used option, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to dive in and cover everything that’s new for this updated Encore GX.
Exterior Glow-Up
You don’t need to know anything about the auto industry to see that the 2024 Encore GX has a much more modern appearance than the 2023 model. The design team took inspiration from the company’s Wildcat EV concept, so while the Encore GX is fully powered by gasoline, it has a more futuristic facade. The overall exterior is sleeker, with new front and rear bumpers and an updated grille, giving the SUV a more athletic silhouette that stands out from the crowded market of compact crossovers.
Thanks to powerful LED headlamps, the shape of the lights takes up less space on the face. Instead of simple slits, the headlamps have a distinctive winged shape that has plenty of personality. On the Sport Touring and Avenir trims, the taillights are also LED, making them easy to see in all kinds of weather. The front end sports the new Buick logo, with the three shields removed from their old circle and placed directly on the hood instead of in the grille. The exterior design is rounded out with a new set of wheel designs that are eye-catching both in motion and at a standstill with bold geometric designs.
Upgraded Tech
On the inside, even more steps have been taken to update the Encore GX for the modern driver. For instance, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across all trims. That means you don’t have to look around for your USB cord in order to connect your phone to the infotainment system and use apps like maps, music streamers, and messengers through the SUV’s interface. Wireless device charging isn’t standard, but it is available across the trim lineup, giving you the option to go completely cord-free. Also new for this year is a built-in WiFi hotspot, allowing you to access the internet on the go from your laptop or tablet.
Perhaps most excitingly, the 2024 Encore GX is now the first vehicle ever to use Buick’s all-new Virtual Cockpit System. These days, most drivers rely on the screens in their vehicles to give them safety warnings on the road, keep them connected to family, friends, and co-workers while they’re en route, and help them look at various settings and camera views as they adjust their vehicle and park in tricky spaces. When these screens are bigger, everything is easier to see at a glance, and more information can be displayed at once.
To that end, the Virtual Cockpit System uses 19 diagonal inches of high-definition screens to host its new layout. That includes an 11-inch infotainment screen and an 8-inch driver information screen, both of which are angled toward the driver to make them easy to see at a glance. This makes the Encore GX a stand-out in the subcompact SUV segment, which often comes standard with smaller screens that don’t necessarily have the ability to show camera angles in HD.
Redesigned Interior
The cabin doesn’t just have more technology — it has also been upgraded with comfort in mind. There are plenty of soft-touch materials to make the interior feel cozy for the driver and passengers alike. Unique stitching patterns give each trim its own personality, so not all models feel like similar models.
But look and feel aren’t the only things that can affect whether or not you have a good time out on the road. Noise can be a big factor, too, and usually not in a good way. We’ve all been stuck in traffic next to a car that’s blasting its bass with the windows down or had to scream over the sounds of construction just to be heard by backseat passengers. That’s why the Encore GX sports Buick’s QuietTuning system, which uses a combination of ultra-dissipative acoustic materials and active noise cancellation to reduce and absorb — or even fully block — unwanted outside noise.
The Athletic Sport Touring Trim
In the middle of the trim lineup, the new Sport Touring trim is designed for those who think that getting there is half the fun and want to celebrate the sporty nature of driving. This trim has a flat-bottomed steering wheel that makes it easy to get in the mood for a joyride. There are also ST logos stitched into the head restraints, giving the cabin yet another touch of unique flair.
There are gloss-black accents throughout the exterior, like the grille and front fascia, that give the SUV a unique look compared to other trims. To match those accents, it comes with a set of black aluminum wheels that blend into the tires for a unique effect. If you really want to go all-out with the black accents, you can also opt for the Black Roof Package and get yet another point of contrast with your main exterior paint color for a distinct look.
The Avenir Trim Joins the Lineup
At the top end of the trim options, the Encore GX now has an Avenir variant, joining models like the Envision and Enclave in offering this luxurious trim. The Encore GX Avenir has exclusive badging on the exterior plus embroidered headrests on the inside that feature an embroidered Avenir logo. The interior also has leather upholstery throughout and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support.
A cabin air filter keeps the interior fresh and clean, while a flat-folding front-passenger seatback gives you even more options for configuring the interior while transporting cargo. And, of course, this high-end option comes with heated seats as well as a heated steering wheel. Remote Start can also come in handy on cold days, letting you get the heat going from afar before you get into the cabin.
Our Overall Impression
When all put together, the changes made to the Encore GX for this model year make it a much stronger offering in the modern market. The new exterior look is distinctive but also follows cues from the latest generation of vehicles, so it should please drivers looking to keep up with the latest styles. The new trim lineup is streamlined and makes it clear what each model brings to the table, whether that’s affordability, sporty style, or luxury.
While the exterior redesign is probably the most eye-catching upgrade, the new tech inside may be the most significant change. Wireless connectivity is a huge convenience upgrade since nearly all drivers rely on their smartphones for directions, entertainment, or communication on the road. And the new displays make those apps easy to keep track of and control safely. Overall, this makeover is a fitting way to bring this SUV into the 2024 model year. We’ll be interested to see how the model continues to evolve as these new features get tested out in the real world.
