If you’ve been looking for a Buick SUV, you may have come across the Buick Encore GX. A slightly larger version of the compact Encore, the Encore GX falls short of the Buick Envision’s luxury standards. However, it’s pretty popular in its own right for adding winning amenities to top off the smooth handling ride. Additionally, it’s pretty affordable too for a vehicle in its segment. However, if you’re looking for the most luxurious version of the Encore GX, you may need to save up.

The Buick Encore GX’s lower trims

If you’re looking for affordability, you’ll be well-served by the Buick Encore GX Select, which starts at $25,995. While it handles quite well, the engine is a little underpowered. The Select comes with a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-3 engine that produces just 155 horsepower. It comes with FWD and a CVT transmission, but the powertrain isn’t as refined as some of its competitors.

However, you will still find a bit more legroom than the Encore and a respectable amount of cargo space for a vehicle in this segment. There are 23.5 cubic feet behind the second row, though that grows to 50.2 cubic feet when you drop that row down. The Buick Pressroom also provides many standard features that aren’t always standard on comparable vehicles. These include an 8-inch touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless push-button start, and noise cancellation.

If you prefer a more traditional automatic transmission, get the Encore GX Preferred, which comes with a nine-speed automatic and AWD. It also adds dual-zone climate control, built-in navigation, and remote start for a starting MSRP of $27,395.

The Encore GX Essence trim level

For all the bells and whistles, you’ll want the Buick Encore GX Essence trim, which starts at $29,995. That price doesn’t include any options. However, what comes standard with the Essence may be enough.

The Encore GX’s top trim comes with FWD, though AWD is optional. It also features a leather interior, power and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a rearview auto-dimming mirror, and a cabin humidity sensor.

As with the Preferred trim, advanced safety features, like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, and a rear vision camera are standard. Additionally, if you have a few thousand more to spend, you can outfit your Essence with some packages and options that will make for an even more pleasurable driving experience.

Accessorizing the Buick Encore GX Essence

The Buick Encore GX Essence will come in white unless you outfit it with a premium color. For $495, you can drive off the lot with an Ebony Twilight Metallic, Sapphire Metallic, or Sunset Glow Metallic SUV. If those colors don’t suit your fancy, there are five others to choose from.

Buick also offers numerous packages that can further enhance your Encore GX Essence. If car tech is your thing, you may want to opt for the Advanced Technology Package. For an additional $1,935, you can add adaptive cruise control, rear parking assistance, built-in navigation, and a head-up display.

For $695, you can buy the Sport Touring package, which comes with body-color rocker and bodyside moldings, a custom accented grille, 18″ Medium Android High Gloss wheels with chrome inserts, and accented front and rear bumpers. Or you can purchase the 18″ wheels as part of the Experience Buick Package – which also comes with a panoramic moonroof – for $1,500.

Prepping the Essence trim for off-road adventures

If you’re looking for trailering capabilities for your Buick Encore GX, you’ll want to opt for the $775 Active Lifestyle Package, which comes with a trailer hitch bezel, harness, trailer hitch, and cargo tray. Or, you can do without the cargo tray and spend just $650 on the Trailering Package, which comes with everything else.

If you plan on hauling cargo or equipment, consider the $495 Buick Interior Protection Package, which comes with an integrated cargo liner, all-weather floor liners, and a sports pedal kit. You can also swap out the cargo tray and sport pedals for roof rails and buy the Road trip Package for $475. Additionally, you can add a hands-free power liftgate for $595.

An Essence trim level model in a premium color with the Advanced Technology, Sport Touring, Experience Buick, Active Lifestyle, and Buick Interior Package add-ons, as well as the power liftgate, will take you up to $36,910. That price for all of these amenities makes a fully loaded 2022 Buick Encore GX Essence quite a bargain.