IN A NUTSHELL:














Well, it’s now been 18 months since my 2021 Encore GX has been delivered (January 2021), so I’m doing an update.

Unlike my past threads on this subject, I’m including the price-sticker with this one, since I did not post it before. I purposely left out the part with the VIN and scan-codes for privacy reasons, and so they couldn’t be hacked.

I don’t have a lot of miles on it, for a number of reasons, as I just don’t drive as much as I once did, and don’t take long trips because of health reasons and things I need to do every day around the house. I’m driving about 5000 miles a year now. Also, I don’t do as many vehicle-reviews as in the past…they ate up a lot of miles on my previous vehicles going around looking at those vehicles.

No major breakdowns, mishaps, or accidents (yet). The AWD actuator hardware failed on the day the vehicle was delivered……they fixed that at the dealership before I even drove it home the first day, and I covered that in an earlier thread. There was a recall to replace the tire-jack……(GM apparently found out the hard way they couldn’t use cheap plastic jacks LOL)….and it was replaced with a proper metal jack. I had one of the original Kumho tires replaced when a large bolt-head imbedded itself on the edge of the tread where a patch or plug wouldn’t work (I’m certain that the bolt entered on the dealer’s property, but could prove it, and had to eat the new tire, though they gave me a discount on it)



PLUSSES:

For my current driving needs/style, arguably the best automotive $$$$$ I have ever spent, although I’m not entirely satisfied with the small but surprisingly peppy turbo-three cylinder….IMO this vehicle should have gotten a N/A four. The Three shakes a little on initial start-up, and has a audible gruff-noise at low RPMs (torque-peak of 177 Ft-Lbs. is at only 1500 RPM, which is why it is responsive at low RPMs), but, otherwise, runs smoothly for a three and does benefit at least some from Buick’s famous Quiet Tuning.

The 9T40 9-speed transmission in the GX, so far, is ultra-smooth in the Buick tradition, and so far has avoided the cold-weather first-second gear gear problem and the hot-temperature mid-range shift-hiccup flare that developed in the larger 9T60 version of the same transmission that was used in my former LaCrosse. Some of those earlier 9T60s in Buicks and other GM products had an undersized valve-plate….and my car had the luck of he draw.

Absolutely LOVE the maneuverability and ease of parking, Athough I also use the overhead/360-camera to help backing in and out of parking spaces. That was one of the main reasons I got this vehicle…..the Lacrosse was ultra-comfortable, but somewhat too bulky and unmanuverable for much of the driving I currently do….and I found that out the hard way one day with concrete curbs in a parking lot. It is also a lot easier getting in and out of a vehicle like this with the drivers’ seat more or less at butt-level…..gone are the days when I could fling myself up and down easily into low-slung vehicles.

I get compliments on the Cinnamon/Bronze color and two-tone white/black interior wherever I go…I think I made the right choice on that when I ordered it. I’m currently going over the whole vehicle, a little each day at a time, with Scratch-Out and wax, except for Sundays, which I believe is a day of rest.

Consumer Reports and J.D. Power both give this vehicle a pretty good repair/reliability rating, except for the brakes, which I’ll get to below.

Utility is also good, although given its small size, it doesn’t have a huge cargo area by SUV or crossover standards. Still, enough for my needs. And the right front passenger seat folds down so long narrow items as long as eight feet can be carried inside….an excellent design on GM’s part, and also shared wth the brother Chevy Trailblazer.

I like the fact that I can use 87-octane regular gas even with the turbo, although regular now runs around $5 or so in my area…I’d hate to have to use $6+ Premium gas. And GM now requires synthetic of for most of its vehicles (even non-turbos)….so that, of course, drives up the price of oil changes.

And, though not of the vehicle itself, I also like the fact that American-market versions of the GX are built in Korea, with Korean Unionized labor. I’m a firm supporter of automotive unions, and believe in decent wages, benefits, and pensions, even if it drives up the price of the vehicle. To pay slave-wages in an industry like this (or any industry, for that matter), is IMO, morally wrong….but Chinese-market versions of he GX are built that way, in a Chinese plant. The South Koreans, unlike the Chinese, are also our economic and political allies. I don't agree with the....... "We have to screw our employees because that's just Business and Competitiveness" argument.

Last, also pleased with the low insurance prices from GEICO….lower than with my former Lacrosse, though the Lacrosse was a older vehicle.





MINUSES:

I’ve already described my preference for a N/A four (such as GM’s EcoTec Fours) over the Turbo Three…..but that was obviously not a deal-breaker. This engine, IMO, was not designed for the American market..it was obviously aimed at the Buick-loving Chinese.

The brakes, over time, developed a noticeable squeak when first used several times after sitting for a time….even only a few minutes of rest. This usually goes away after hitting the pedal a few times (or pressing the pedal more firmly) It is NOT the caliper/rotor scrape-noise you sometimes hear when damp or wet rotors get a film of rust after sitting…Buick uses a special manufacturing-process where the steel rotors resist rust. There was a TSB (not a recall, as safety is not involved) on the 2020 GX models for this from customer complaints, but it is not a serious problem, and, given the fact that the Brake-Pad-Wear-Indicators still show 93% front-pad and 92% rear-pad life still left, I decided not to have them replaced or major brake-work done under the TSB…..the pads the factory put on are obviously going to last a long time, squeak or no squeak. Who knows?…the replacement pads under the TSB may not squeak, but wear out overnight.

​​​​​​​Gas mileage could be better for a small turbo three, even with AWD. I average in the low-mid-20s around town, which is only marginally better then I got with the much larger (but FWD) V6 in the Lacrosse. I get over 30, though, at highway cruise speeds. The AWD has a switch that disconnects it....except when in the snow, I only use the AWD a few minutes once a week or so to keep the mechanicals and hardware lubricated. Before, I didn't use the engine idle start-stop system much (which also has an off-swatch, although you have to press it every time you drive the vehicle. But I now use a little more, because of the high price of gas. Still, I wish GM had included a set-it-once switch, but I understand the EPA wouldn't allow it.

You have to wait between 15-30 seconds after a cold or lukewarm start for the 1600-RPM fast-idle to come down to normal (around 1000) before shifting into gear........otherwise, the drivetrain seems to want to tug too much as you slowly start up, and you have to ride the brakes.

I’ve also had a few glitches with the electronics in the video-screen, which a recall on (at dealer-expense) for a re-progamming helped, but may not have entirely eliminated.

Other than that, a very useful, reliable and enjoyable vehicle……I’m WELL-pleased overall and have no desire to replace it anytime soon, although I’d consider a new Encore GX replacement if GM did a plug-in hybrid version, as we don’t have a recharging facility for pure EVs in our condo townhouse development.

And, as Always, Happy Vehicle-Ownership.

MM

 

Certainly a pleasant read, and nice to hear of an update on your car and yourself. Notice much less posting lately, so hopefully you are hanging in there.
I like the styling of your model, and the color combo is impressive. Surprised about the 26/29 mpg rating though. My 311 hp RWD IS350 is rated 20/28, and I am averaging 28.2 mpg's with a mostly city driving mix. I go out of my way to get those numbers, but still think it's above average. Curious why a three cylinder can't muster better numbers...

 

because it has to work pretty hard to haul around the cuv.

mmarshall - thanks for the update... car really seems like a great choice for you.

 

Boy that must be disappointing. That's what my BMW 328 xDrive gets with 240 HP, and I don't drive with a light foot. Unfortunate.

How are you liking the light colored interior? Is it holding up, or is it hard to keep clean?

 

In fairness, most of my driving encounters a lot of heavy traffic, stoplights, stop signs, stop-and-go, speed bumps, and a few hills here and there....that will definitely lower your averages. I get much better on the road at cruise-speeds....substantially above 30, despite the EPA-29-Highway figure.

Oh, with me, no problem. I'm single, don't have kids, pets, am careful when carrying things, and don't eat or smoke in the vehicle. The driver's footwell and floormat gets dirty, particularly in bad weather, but I vacuum and clean them periodically....the others stay generally clean, with very little vacuuming required.

 

Yes, I've got some sleep disorders and occasional high blood pressure. My health is otherwise generally good, and I'm very careful about what I eat, to try and maintain it. Also spend more time with my church. A new APAP machine is on order for me to help the apnea, but they are currently very hard to get, have a months-long backlog, and I am still waiting for mine.




See my reply to tex2670, above.

 

It certainly works harder than a V6, but still, I'm not a lead-foot....in fact, usually the opposite. But it is noted that IMO a N/A four would probably be more suited to this vehicle. I think that GM only used that turbo three, because, to cut costs, they didn't have to develop two different sets of drivetrains for the Chinese and American markets. What IS odd, though, is why they have two different turbo-threes...a 1.2L and 1.3L....and two different automatics, a CVT and 9-speed, depending on FWD/AWD. I suspect the 1.2L will probably soon be dropped if not already done so.

After many decades of driving sedans, coupes, and an Outback, it was clearly time for something else. Might be odd considering the way I used to post, but time and circumstances change. I'm also a little older and wiser......and not obsessed any more with the big American luxury-car sedans of the 60s and 70s. (I'll leave that world to Steve and his S-560 LOL)

 

Nice car mmarshal.
I'm a big fan of Buick Encore styling and trim and almost bought a slightly used one a few years ago.
It doesn't look as big as an RX350 but maybe a NX size maybe.

 

I really love that color combo, nice car!

I would invariably blow the engine on one of these if I owned one since I would play the game of how much boost can it take. There is just something about those small factory turbo engines that compels me you know? Like can we get 250hp/L out of it?

 

Is the 1.3L turbo have high pressure fuel delivery with direct fuel injection?
Just wondering if carbon build up is a concern.
Seems like a lot of HP out f a 1.3L for stock product offering.

I thought the Buick Encore I looked at a few years ago was a V-6 but maybe it was an NA 4 banger, I forget.
All I remember is wife fell in love with the style and interior.
I believe it was a 2012 and that was a few years ago, would've pulled the trigger but couldn't get them down to a price I thought was fair for both of us.

 

I still love the color combo of your Buick!

 

Thanks . It is also my favorite of the subcompact crossovers in the American market.


Don't confuse the Encore with the Encore GX (what I have). Two completely different vehicles, despite a common root-name. They don't even use same platform. The older Encore, in production for almost 10 years, will probably be dropped soon, and its Chinese-market replacement will not be sold in the U.S. That will leave the existing GX as the entry-level Buick in the U.S.



It's roughly between the UX and NX in size....much smaller than the RX.

I considered a UX, BTW, when I was shopping, but chose the Encore GX for several reasons.

 

Thanks. I get a number of nice comments on that combo, even from complete strangers, like at the gas station or in parking lots.

 

As far as I know, it has DI....many newer engines do. And, of course, any turbo adds pressure, when it is in operation.



Usually not at the low mileage on my engine. I also use Tier-1 fuels (mostly Shell) which contain good detergent-additives to keep the engine clean.



It made the Wards 10-Best engines list.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/09...ines-for-2021/


It was an N/A four. In the Buick SUV/crossover lineup, V6s are limited to the big Enclave. The Encore, Encore GX, and Envision all use turbo threes or N/A or turbo fours.

 

Thanks. Like I told others, I get a lot of compliments on that. I grew up back in the days when new vehicles were not all painted like Funeral Homes or in Neutral colors, and interior/exterior colors were actually cheerful and pleasant to look at.

To be fair, though, some of today's metallic gray and Titanium colors can look pretty nice......good examples, IMO, are GM's Pepperdust, Lexus's Atomic Silver, and the Metallic Titanium that Audi and Chrysler once used. These have been discontinued, I think, except for the Atomic Silver. My former LaCrosse was in Pepperdust.......a light metallic smoke-gray with tiny imbedded gold-flake particles that stood out in the sunlight.

You would probably blow the engine on an 800 HP Dodge Hellcat LOL.

(just kidding)