The 2025 Buick Encore GX: Refinement on a Budget

Drivers who want to experience refinement from their vehicle but don’t have a luxury car budget may find themselves attracted to the Buick Encore GX. First introduced as a larger variation of the Buick Encore, this subcompact crossover has outlived the original, taking its place in the Buick SUV lineup as an affordable yet sophisticated daily driver. The 2025 edition of the Buick Encore GX is now in our showroom, building on the 2024 refresh to give Twin Cities drivers something beyond the ordinary.

Before you head to our Buick dealership near Minneapolis, you can use our buyer’s guide to determine whether the 2025 Encore GX should be on your list of prospects. We’ll discuss the powertrain, interior, tech, styling, and other highlights of the 2025 model year so you can see how the Encore GX delivers on its promise of a refined vehicle that’s easy on your bank account.

Powertrain and Performance: Efficiency With an Edge

We’ll readily acknowledge that the 2025 Encore GX won’t set the highway on fire. But that’s not the goal of this vehicle—it’s designed to work well for everyday cruising around the Twin Cities but give you a bit of punch when you want it.

As such, the Buick Encore GX has two engine choices. The base Encore GX Preferred trim comes standard with an EcoTec 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. A major change for 2025 is that this engine is now flex-fuel capable. You can use E85 fuel or regular 87 octane, depending on availability and pricing. The Buick Encore GX Sport Touring and Avenir trims have a 1.3L EcoTec engine that bumps output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque (you can also get the Preferred with this power plant).

The powertrain on all trims is front-wheel drive (FWD) with a continuously variable transmission. Both engines get an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined in this configuration, though the 1.2L engine is slightly better in cities. Either way, you enjoy the added roominess and cargo space (more on this later) of a subcompact crossover versus a sedan without burning through your gas budget. Want more traction on rainy days and in snowy Minneapolis winters? Upgrade to available all-wheel drive (AWD) with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Though fuel economy will drop to an estimated 27 MPG combined, it may be worth the trade-off for handling Minnesota weather.

Exterior: Energetic and Outsized Style

As part of the 2024 refresh, Buick overhauled the Encore GX from bumper to bumper. The 2025 model continues this with additional tweaks. We’ll start with the exterior, which is sleeker and more expressive than ever. The modernized bumpers and grille carry over, as do the dazzling wheel designs and useful roof rack side rails. The Preferred and Sport Touring trims have 18-inch aluminum wheels (bright silver on the Preferred, gloss black on the Sport Touring) with all-season tires, while the Avenir makes a supersized statement on 19-inch pearl nickel aluminum rims. Incidentally, the Encore GX was the first Buick to get the new tri-shield emblem on the front.

All three trims come with LED headlights and daytime running lights that give you excellent visibility with contemporary panache. The Sport Touring and Avenir also have LED taillights so no one can miss when you’re turning onto Highway 55 or braking for rush-hour traffic. Chrome lug nuts and wheel locks are now available on every Encore GX, keeping your ride sophisticated while deterring thieves. Do you like to explore the Midwest on the weekend? The Active Lifestyle Package adds a trailer hitch and harness with a 1,000-pound towing capability plus a cargo liner. Add in options like a panoramic moonroof and a hands-free power liftgate to make your cultured subcompact a do-it-all machine.

Interior: Excellent Space and Comfort

What happens when you hop into the 2025 Encore GX? You’re wrapped in coziness, that’s what. The vehicle easily seats five with 40.9 inches of front legroom and 36 inches of rear legroom, comparing well to other subcompacts. An eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is standard on the Avenir and available on the other trims. The same goes for the heated steering wheel and front seats, which will come in handy during the colder months. Choose between beige or black upholstery and sink into worldly leatherette or genuine leather seats. Finally, Buick has made remote start a standard feature across the lineup, and you can get sport-style pedals to feel like a racer.

For a smaller vehicle, the 2025 Buick Encore GX can hold a lot. The regular cargo area is 23.5 cu.ft., and putting the rear seats down increases this to 50.2 cu.ft. You can even get a flat-fold front passenger seat to fit long items like hockey sticks or music stands. A rear cargo net, cover, mat, and organizer are available to help with your payload. With the Road Trip Package, you get all-weather floor liners and cross rails on the roof rack to prepare you for any adventure.

Tech: Great Features With a User-Friendly Design

When updating the Buick Encore GX, onboard technology was a big point of emphasis. You’ll quickly discover how the 2025 Encore GX does everything you’d expect of a larger, more expensive machine. Every Encore GX comes with an 11-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen and an eight-inch instrument display. They are angled toward the driver, which makes the layout more intuitive for finding what you want to use. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB charging ports, six-speaker audio, and Buick QuietTuning active sound deadening are among the standard features.

Want even more goodies? A wireless charging pad, a three-year SiriusXM satellite radio subscription, and a Bose seven-speaker sound system with a subwoofer and amplifier are among the potential upgrades. You’ll hear the notes and words you want to hear in studio quality while blocking out the noise of Minneapolis traffic, meaning a better ride on your terms.

Safety: Feel Confident Wherever You Drive

Trouble can always be around the corner in a busy city, and your vehicle needs to be ready. The 2025 Buick Encore GX is built to protect everyone and everything inside. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the highest possible honor. You’re also getting driver assistance tech that outshines other entry-level SUVs. The standard Buick Driver Confidence suite includes:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• IntelliBeam Automatic High-Beams

A high-definition rear view camera, Rear Seat Reminder, OnStar Basics, the LATCH car seat system, and Teen Driver mode are also part of the basic safety package. For a few more driving aids, you can add Adaptive Cruise Control, HD Surround Vision, and a highway safety kit for quick repairs.

Test Drive the 2025 Encore GX at Snell Buick GMC

The Encore GX is a subcompact crossover for people who want more refinement than a mainstream vehicle but find nameplates like BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz to be out of their price range. This vehicle does everything a Minneapolis resident needs it to—and it does so with flair. It’s backed by Buick’s three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and one free scheduled maintenance visit.

Visit us at Snell Buick GMC to see how the 2025 Encore GX will enhance your day-to-day living and weekend fun. We’ve been serving Twin Cities drivers since 1951, working to exceed expectations every day. From our friendly sales staff to our financing and service centers, you’ll find everything you need to bring home the right vehicle and keep it on the road.

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