What sets the Buick Encore apart from its Encore GX sibling

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When Buick expanded its crossover lineup last year, as so many manufacturers are doing at an ever-escalating rate, it did so by taking the existing entry-level Encore and adding “GX” to the end of the name — voila! The Encore GX. If you’re confused, you’re not alone. These two crossovers do play in very similar sandboxes and the base pricing is not too far removed ($1,100) but there are some key differences, not the least of which is age.

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The Encore arrived in 2013, and while it has been nipped and tucked over the years to keep it in touch with a rapidly shifting market, it is showing its age. The Encore GX debuted as a new model last year. This shows up in the exterior styling — Encore wears Buick’s outgoing design; the Encore GX wears the new, which brings it more in line with the rest of Buick’s crossover lineup.

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The other key differences start with the lineup. Encore arrives as the Preferred model with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD); the Encore GX has the same Preferred starting point and drive options, but grows to include the AWD Select and Essence models.

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Beneath the bright work, Encore rides on GM’s Gamma 2 platform, which it shares with the Chevrolet Trax and Tracker. The Encore GX rides on the GM’s VSS-F platform, which it shares with the Chevrolet Trailblazer. This means there is a size differential — the Encore GX rides on a 2,596-millimetre wheelbase, 41 mm longer than Encore. Likewise, GX is 78 mm longer and 33 mm wider, but it’s also 29 mm lower, which means it has 17 mm less headroom than Encore. Surprisingly, there’s little difference between the two in the amount of legroom front or rear.

In terms of cargo space, the Encore GX has 665 litres with the seats upright; and 1,422L with them folded flat. The Encore has 532 L seats up and 1,371 L when folded, which is 133 L and 51 L less, respectively.

Bigger differences are found in the powertrains. The Encore and Encore GX are offered in both FWD and AWD models. At $2,000, taking AWD in either of the Preferred models is a no-brainer. The systems are slightly different — the Encore’s system is working all the time; the GX has the option to switch to front-drive, which helps fuel economy.

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The Encore features a 1.4L turbo-four that pushes 155 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm through a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers a run to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds for both the FWD and AWD models. The economy penalty for driving all four wheels works out to an average of 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres, so it’s really not worth fretting over.

The Encore GX front-driver arrives with a 1.2L turbo-three that fires 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm through a continuously variable transmission. The larger 1.3L turbo-three found in the AWD models makes 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. It works with a better nine-speed automatic transmission. This combination is faster, cutting the run to 100 km/h to 9.3 seconds, which is 0.5 seconds quicker than the front-driver’s time. The kicker is the extra performance and AWD ability arrive with a very small fuel economy penalty.

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Both versions of Encore deliver what one expects of Buick — a quiet, civilized ride. There is plenty of insulation and isolation, so the highway ride is commendably quiet. Both also control body roll nicely, although the overarching sense is comfort takes precedence in the end. Both also offer a light, but accurate, steering feel and a tidy 11.2-metres turning circle.

As with the exterior look, the interior differences between these two is all about style. The Encore’s cabin uses GM’s old designed-by-committee theme; the Encore GX is clean and modern in its execution. The other key difference is Encore has a seven-inch infotainment screen that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GX counters with a larger eight-inch screen that works wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it is available with navigation in the up-level models along with a Bose sound system in the top Essence.

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There’s also a difference in the level of standard safety equipment. The Encore GX arrives with a low-speed forward collision system with pedestrian detection and auto-braking; lane-departure warning with keep assist; and Teen Driver, a system that allows the owner to monitor a teen’s driving habits. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on all but the base Preferred model where it is a $995 option. Ironically, the latter is standard on the Encore Preferred, but the rest are optional and part of the Safety Package II package ($1,095).

The Encore Preferred starts at $24,998; all-wheel-drive adds $2,000. The Encore GX Preferred starts at $26,098 with the same premium for AWD. It rises to $30,098 for the Select and $32,598 for the Essence.