![]() ![]() The head-up display is a bit weird since it’s one of those where a small screen flips up when you start the car. Adaptive cruise control is an option, checked in my tester, and is part of the Advanced Technology Package ($1,790) that also includes surround-view cameras, head-up display and navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration is available.Īl Encore GX’s come standard with a suite of driver-assistance systems including forward-collision warning with pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning. It’s very easy to use, has large easy to read icons and has fast response times. What’s also good is the multimedia tech since every GX comes standard with Buick’s excellent and easy-to-use infotainment system, in that aforementioned 8-inch touch screen. The interior is a mixed bag with some hard plastics below knee level The dash looks good too, it’s a nice design with an integrated touch screen and nicely sculptured surfaces. The good news is Buick has sculpted out eh center console on the driver’s side to prevent your knee from chafing said hard plastic. Interior quality is a bit of a mixed bag, with soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and front door panel but lower down below knee level, hard plastic resides. The front seats are supportive and comfortable offer power adjustment all round except for the seat back adjustment on the passenger side, which is manual. With more wheelbase to play with the GX adds more shoulder room front and rear, as well as more legroom in both front and back, it doesn’t feel small. Small engines, especially ones with odd numbers of cylinders can be somewhat harsh and not as well balanced as an even number cylinder count, however, Buick uses its QuietTuning™ technology to good effect here by using triple sealed doors and acoustic laminated glass which block and reduce unwanted noise in the cabin. ![]() On the freeway the Encore GX feels like it will cruise all day, it’s easily able to sit at high speeds without wandering out of lane and will deliver 32 mpg in driven with restraint. The Encore’s suspension has no trouble soaking up the bumps on San Diego’s acne ridden roads and the brakes are solid and but easy to modulate. Push on to higher speeds and the chassis feels well sorted it does a great job of keeping the car very stable and will take turns at pretty good speeds with little body roll. In stop start traffic the Buick is easy to drive, has power to dart into gaps in traffic and it’s light steering is great. The key here is drivability, I’ve driven cars with more power and less torque and come away dissatisfied with the overall power delivery. Driven within the torque band though the GX is quite zippy and the CVT does a respectable job of helping the car off the line. To get the best out this engine you need to use the 177 ft-lbs of torque since there’s not much go in the upper rev range. Better than expected since based on raw numbers my expectations were quite low. ![]()
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