Buick Encore GX Preferred, Sport Touring & More

The trim names changed with the 2024 refresh. Earlier models used Preferred, Select, and Essence. Since the refresh, the lineup has used Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir, with Preferred remaining the entry trim.

Preferred is the core entry trim across the Encore GX’s run. On newer models, it includes an 11-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, cloth and synthetic leather seating, and Buick’s standard safety suite.

Select is the comfort-focused middle trim used before the 2024 refresh. It builds on Preferred with features such as dual-zone automatic climate control and a 10-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lower-back support.

Essence is the top trim from the pre-refresh years. It combines the stronger 1.3-liter turbo engine with leather-appointed seating, dual-zone climate control, upgraded lighting, and an in-vehicle air ionizer.

No. Since the 2024 refresh, Sport Touring has mainly been the style-focused trim. It adds the stronger standard engine, a black mesh grille, dark exterior accents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and distinctive seat details rather than a full performance makeover.

Avenir is the comfort-focused top trim introduced with the 2024 refresh. It adds perforated leather-appointed front seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, power seat adjustment, dual-zone climate control, and distinctive bright exterior trim.

Select adds meaningful daily comfort over Preferred on pre-refresh models. Its key upgrades include dual-zone automatic climate control and a 10-way power driver’s seat with power-adjustable lower-back support.

Essence adds the more premium treatment. Compared with Select, it brings leather-appointed seating, the stronger 1.3-liter turbo engine as standard, upgraded LED lighting, and an in-vehicle air ionizer.

Sport Touring is the bolder-looking step above Preferred on newer models. It adds the stronger 1.3-liter turbo engine, gloss-black exterior details, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and synthetic leather seats with blue accents and ST logos.

Sport Touring emphasizes appearance, while Avenir emphasizes comfort. On newer models, ST uses black exterior accents and sporty cabin details. Avenir adds leather-appointed seating, heated features, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and bright exterior trim.

Preferred is the straightforward choice. It keeps the Encore GX’s compact size, flexible rear seat, phone connectivity, and standard safety features without the appearance upgrades of Sport Touring or the extra comfort equipment of Avenir.

Select is the natural fit among pre-refresh models. It adds dual-zone climate control and more driver-seat adjustment while retaining cloth-and-synthetic-leather seating rather than stepping up to the leather-appointed Essence cabin.

Avenir has the most comfort-focused equipment in the newer lineup. Its defining features include perforated leather-appointed front seats, heating for the front seats and steering wheel, power seat adjustment, and dual-zone climate control.

No. Pre-refresh models generally use an 8-inch touchscreen, while models from the 2024 refresh onward use an 11-inch touchscreen across the trim lineup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard across all trims for 2021.