2024 Buick Encore GX Debuts New Brand Design Language, Adds Avenir Trim
New model will arrive in dealerships this spring; uses carryover drivetrains.
Buick celebrated the return of the Canadian International Auto Show early Thursday morning with the global debut of the 2024 Buick Encore GX. Featuring a whole new brand design language, improved cabin tech, and the addition of an Avenir trim.
Since the big news here is that styling direction, we’ll focus on the looks first. AutoGuide had the opportunity to check out the ’24 at GM’s design dome in Detroit a few weeks ago. We saw two models there, including the brilliant blue Avenir you see here as well as a red ST.
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The Encore GX greets viewers with an altogether more expressive face, courtesy of a pair of checkmark-shaped LED headlights. If we’re feeling generous, we can make the comparison to modern McLarens; if not, we can point out the Hyundai Kona similarities. (Though the Kona itself sees a dramatic redo later this year.) But really, the inspiration is Buick’s gorgeous Wildcat EV concept, a dramatic two-door that shares space with the Encore GX on the show floor in Toronto.
SEE ALSO: Buick Wildcat EV Concept Previews Buick’s All-Electric FutureThere’s a more pronounced lip under those headlights, like the bow of a boat. A big chrome-ringed central intake anchors the front-end styling. Move around the back and the taillights are the same basic shape, but with a new three-dimensional element design. They’re red on most trims while the Avenir brings in clear elements.
Citing the immense popularity of the trim on the Enclave and Envision, Buick is adding the Avenir to the Encore GX family. It gets unique 19-inch alloy wheels plus body-colored fenders and side skirts. This particular exterior color is new—and we like it very much, thanks.
Meanwhile, the ST goes for a high-contrast look, with gloss black accents and wheels.
Bigger changes are afoot inside the cabin. Buick has dropped in what it’s calling the Virtual Cockpit System, a single-pane setup that houses two screens: an 11.0-inch central touchscreen and an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster. We were able to briefly fiddle with both and came away impressed with the new touchscreen, which appears to run on a similar OS as the excellent new Chevy Silverado setups. It’s clean, quick to respond, and pairs with both major phone setups wirelessly.
The 8.0-inch screen allows for some good customisation too, especially a minimalist setup, though that thick bezel does look a little funny. There’s more soft-touch materials around, and it’s still a pretty darn spacious cabin for something with such a tiny footprint. For its part, Buick refers to the Encore GX as a compact, not a sub-compact.
We haven’t talked about what’s under the hood yet, because nothing changes there. A pair of turbo three-cylinders pull duty in the Encore GX; a 1.2-liter in front-drive models and a 1.3-liter when hooked up to AWD. You’re looking at 137 horsepower, 162 lb-ft, and a CVT in the former; or 155 hp and 174 lb-ft through a nine-speed auto with the latter.
The 2024 Buick Encore GX begins production in March and should be in dealerships this spring.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
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Looks pretty good, but not like a Buick Those engines are an embarrassment though