The 2022 Buick Encore GX will represent the third production year of the current generation and therefore, we are pretty sure that there won’t be too many updates. Practically, the biggest novelty will be the addition of new color options, four of them. Other than that, we could see some minor tweaks in terms of features and equipment groups. The rest of the vehicle will remain untouched.
All this means that you may count on a good-looking small crossover, which has several good things to offer. We like the fact that it offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Also, it offers surprisingly composed handling, as well as a pretty decent list of standard equipment. On the other side, the main complaints go to low-rent materials on the inside, as well as on not particularly intuitive infotainment system. The powertrain is okay, though we would like to see something more engaging.
Considering that there are no bigger changes to come, we presume that the 2022 Buick Encore GX will hit the market sometime late in the year.
2022 Buick Encore GX Redesign
As we’ve just mentioned, the 2022 Buick Encore GX won’t come with too many novelties. Practically, the only major changes will come in terms of colors in the offer. We are about to see four new finishes – Cinnabar Metallic, Sapphire Metallic, Sunset Glow Metallic and Rosewood Metallic. On the other side, the overall styling is about to remain the same. We are talking about a model that has been around for just a couple of years, so it still looks pretty fresh and attractive.
The mechanical aspect of the vehicle won’t change either. This model rides on a new VSS platform and shares most of the parts with Chevy Trailblazer. The chassis and suspension setup is pretty good and the overall driving experience is surprisingly good. Still, keep in mind that the setup is on a sporty side, so ride can be rough sometimes, especially on pawn roads.
Interior
This aspect won’t bring any bigger changes, so you may count on a familiar cabin layout. The overall quality is good, but we would expect a little bit more for this price tag. That particularly refers to the second row, which is full of hard plastics and other cheap materials. On the other side, things are much better at the front, where you may count on nice materials, attractive color schemes and very good overall quality.
Considering that we are talking about a subcompact crossover, the amount of interior space is surprisingly generous. The front row is very comfortable, while the rear seats also accommodate adults. Behind them, you will find 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold them down and you get over 50 cubes, which is pretty good for the class.
Features
Novelties in this aspect are always possible, but we don’t expect too many of them in the 2022 Buick Encore GX. The current model already stands pretty well in this aspect. It comes standard with goodies like keyless entry, automatic climate control, an 8-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, four USB ports, and Bluetooth. Additionally, you can get options like a moonroof, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, HD Radio, premium audio system wireless charging etc.
When it comes to safety features, all models come standard with a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and the following distance indicator. You can pay extra for things like blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane change alert, parallel park assist, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera system, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.
2022 Buick Encore GX Engines
The 2022 Buick Encore GX will continue with two engines in the offer, both turbocharged and with three cylinders. Base models use a smaller 1.2-liter unit, which is good for about 137 horsepower. On the other side, the optional 1.3-liter unit is good for about 155 horsepower. It offers more power and also comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission. On the other side, the base engine uses CVT to send power to wheels. Front-wheel drive is standard, while models with the 1.3-liter engine are also available with AWD.
When it comes to fuel economy, both engines offer similar ratings. The base engine returns around 28 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. On the other side, the bigger engine returns 29 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
2022 Buick Encore GX Release Date and Price
Considering that there are no bigger changes to happen, we are pretty sure that the 2022 Buick Encore GX won’t hit the market before the last quarter of the year. Base models should go around 25.000 dollars. Some of the key competitors are models like Nissan Rogue Sport, Mazda CX-30, Mini Countryman etc.