2026 Buick Encore GX: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2026 Buick Encore GX has no major changes. It carries over the three-trim lineup, engines, styling, safety features, and cabin technology from 2025.
About the 2026 Buick Encore GX
1st generation Encore GX (2020-present), third model year after the 2024 refresh that introduced the new front-end design, larger screen layout, the Avenir trim, and the reworked Sport Touring trim.
Buick positions the Encore GX as a small SUV with a more upscale feel than many mainstream rivals. Its core appeal is practical luxury in a compact footprint: a quiet cabin, a large standard touchscreen, flexible cargo space, standard driver-assistance features, and available AWD. It sits above the Envista as the more traditional and more versatile Buick subcompact SUV for shoppers who want city-friendly size without giving up comfort or usefulness.
The Preferred is the practical, polished entry trim, with an 11-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a standard safety suite. Sport Touring adds bolder black exterior details and a stronger standard engine, while Avenir focuses on comfort with leather seating, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control.
2026 Buick Encore GX specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3-Cyl, ECOTEC, Turbo, 1.3 Liter | 3-Cyl, ECOTEC, Turbo, 1.3 Liter / 3-Cyl, ECOTEC, Turbo, 1.2 Liter | 3-Cyl, ECOTEC, Turbo, 1.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT | Automatic, CVT | Automatic, CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 29 mpg | 29–30 mpg | 29 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 155 hp | 137–155 hp | 155 hp |
| Torque | 174 lb-ft | 162–174 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 50.2 cu-ft | 50.2 cu-ft | 50.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36 in | 36 in | 36 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||
| Alarm System | |||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||
| Automatic High Beams | |||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Park Assist | |||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| 360 Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| LED Headlights | |||
| LED Tail Lights | |||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||
| Power Driver Seat | |||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||
| Remote Start | |||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2026 Buick Encore GX compared with the 2025 model?
Nothing significant changed for the 2026 Buick Encore GX. The trim lineup, engines, exterior design, safety equipment, and touchscreen system all carry over from 2025.
Was the 2026 Buick Encore GX redesigned?
No, the 2026 Buick Encore GX was not redesigned. It retains the front-end styling, wide screen layout, Avenir trim, and reworked Sport Touring trim introduced in the 2024 refresh.
Did the engines change for the 2026 Buick Encore GX?
No, the 2026 Encore GX has no meaningful engine changes. Preferred models use a 1.2-liter or 1.3-liter turbo engine depending on configuration, while Sport Touring and Avenir models use the 1.3-liter turbo.
Does the 2026 Buick Encore GX still have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, the 2026 Buick Encore GX retains an 11-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the lineup.
Is the 2026 Buick Encore GX meaningfully different from the 2025 model?
No, the 2026 Encore GX is effectively a carryover from 2025. Shoppers comparing the two years should focus on condition, mileage, trim, and equipment rather than expecting a major product update.