The new 2024 Buick Encore arrives this spring and it's an important moment for the brand. It's Buick's first vehicle in North America to adopt the its new tri-shield logo, as well as wear the new face of Buick through its front-end styling. It will also be the brand's first vehicle to offer a 19-inch virtual cockpit system and also new for 2024, the brand's most popular vehicle adds the Avenir trim.
The 2024 Encore GX gets an all-new look, starting with the new face of the brand that debuted on the Buick Wildcat EV concept. It pairs an updated grille with the logo, new signature winged LED headlamps.
In the rear, Buick's new tri-shield logo takes center stage on the tailgate. For 2024, new LED taillamps come standard on the updated ST and new Avenir trims. The ST also comes standard with high gloss black front and rear bumpers with an optional Black Roof Package.
Buick says the updated cabin offers soft-touch materials and unique stitching patterns. Avenir and ST logos are stitched into the head restraints on their respective trims, while the ST features a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel.
The Encore GX is also the brand's first model to adopt Buick's new Virtual Cockpit System. It features 19-diagonal inches of high-definition screens under one sheet of glass made up of an 11-inch diagonal infotainment system and a configurable 8-inch diagonal driver cluster screen, both angled towards the driver.
“The Encore GX is the first Buick in North America to sport our revamped interior and new Virtual Cockpit System,” said Boniface. “It’s rare to get such an elevated, tech-forward interior in a vehicle at this starting price. We wanted to uplift every aspect of the Encore GX and put the entire small SUV segment on notice.”
A new multimedia system layout offers standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Wireless phone charging is available.
Buick’s says its QuietTuning system keeps out unwanted road noise from the cabin for a premium driving experience.
The addition of the Avenir trim to the Encore lineup isn't surprising given how popular on the Enclave and Envision. Buick says the Avenir trim is coming off its most successful year yet, commanding approximately a 27 percent and 28 percent adoption rate on the Enclave and Envision, respectively.
On the exterior, the Encore GX Avenir includes a unique grille, unique clear lens LED tail lamps, 19-inch exclusive wheels, chrome front and rear bumpers accents and black carbon metallic body side molding.
Inside, it sports an exclusive Whisper Beige and Jet Black color theme, leather seats, 10-way power driver seat, 8-way power passenger seat, heated steering wheel, air ionizer, rearview auto dim mirror, embroidered Avenir head restraints and Avenir door sills.
The lineup offers two powertrains. A standard 1.2L turbocharged engine delivers 137-horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 1.3L turbocharged engine is also available. It delivers 155-horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Buick says each engine’s turbocharger allows it to provide greater responsiveness and a more engaging drive for customers than a naturally-aspirated engine
AWD is available across all trims, and those models are equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission. FWD models come standard with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
FWD models will offer a GM-estimated 30 mpg (combined), while AWD models will offer a GM-estimated 27 mpg (combined).
The 2024 Encore GX comes standard with the Buick Driver Confidence package. This package includes six active safety and driver assistance technologies such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, IntelliBeam auto high-beams and more.
Additional available safety and tech packages include features such as Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Camera Mirror.
2024 Encore production begins in March with availability this spring. The Encore GX Preferred trim starts at $26,895, with Sport Touring starting at $28,095 and Avenir starting at $33,195. If you'd like to build and order one, you can do that on Buick.com starting in May.
Photo Credit: Buick.