Some people in Yellowknife might think it’s too much to ask for a small, premium SUV to deliver style, quality, luxury, and urban-friendly performance and fuel economy in a package that won’t break the bank to buy. The 2023 Buick Encore GX is a premium subcompact crossover SUV that begs to differ. The 2023 Encore GX looks great and drives superbly, but it also offers turbocharged performance for drivers and outstanding comfort for all its occupants.
The three trim levels in the 2023 Buick Encore GX lineup perfectly reflect this urban crossover’s practical, functional, premium, and adapted nature. The first model in the family is the Encore GX Preferred, which doesn’t look or feel entry-level even though it’s the only Encore GX trim level that’s front-wheel-drive in its standard specification. All-wheel drive is available for the base model, but the rest of the lineup gets AWD as part of the standard specification.
The next trim level in the centre of the 2023 Encore GX lineup is the Select, and the last model in the family is the range-topping Essence. The Buick website indicates a 2023 Buick Encore GX Sport Touring model is available, which could be easy to mistake as a different model from the Encore GX. However, Sport Touring is an appearance package available for all three trim levels that includes an exclusive ST mesh grille with distinctive, high-gloss black and red inserts, integrated roof rails, 18-inch Medium Android high-gloss wheels, and an available Black Roof Package.
The small footprint of the 2023 Buick Encore GX delivers urban-friendly maneuverability for getting in and out of those tight spaces. Still, shoppers in this segment rightly expect appropriate subcompact fuel efficiency too. Dropping an unnecessarily potent engine under the hood of the Encore GX would be counterproductive, which is why the little Buick SUV features a pair of small-displacement three-cylinder turbo powerplants.
You’ll find a 1.3-litre turbo-three producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood of most Encore GX models, delivering lively performance for a vehicle of these diminutive proportions. However, the entry-level front-drive Preferred model has a 1.2-litre turbo-three standard engine with 137 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque at its disposal. The 1.2 sends its power to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the 1.3 has a standard nine-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels.
The 2023 Buick Encore GX makes the best possible use of every millimetre of its interior dimensions, so many of you will find it surprisingly spacious inside. The cabin is also undeniably premium throughout, with outstanding sound deadening thanks to standard QuietTuning that delivers a comfortable and quiet experience at all times. The most basic versions of the Encore GX feature a standard 10-way power driver seat, air conditioning, cloth with Leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and an outstanding 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The Preferred FWD version of the Encore GX is the most frugal, with fuel economy ratings of 8.0 L/100 km in the city and 7.6 L/100 km on the highway. The extra capability of AWD inevitably means a minor penalty, but the ratings are still impressive at 9.0 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 L/100 km on the highway.
If you’re shopping for a small, economical, and maneuverable SUV for the town that also delivers a genuinely premium experience without breaking the bank, visit Yellowknife Motors and test drive at 2023 Buick Encore GX today at 360 Old Airport Rd, Yellowknife, NWT. Alternatively, call us at (867)-766-5000 for pricing and availability details, and we can schedule an appointment for a time that suits you.
