It’s not difficult to find a peppy turbocharged crossover. It’s also not hard to find one that’s affordable. And, there are a plethora of luxury models from all the fancy brands. However, it’s not particularly easy to find all three in one package like the 2025 Buick Encore GX Avenir.
Premium Buick Luxury
It actually shouldn’t surprise you it comes from Buick. The premium GM brand has long been known for building cars with near Cadillac luxury for middle-class prices. The Encore GX Avenir is no different. It’s smaller, sure, but much of the look and feel is shared with vehicles like the Cadillac XT4 and larger Buick Enclave. While built in Korea, there’s a European flair to it as well.
Styling is based on the recent Wildcat concept car and it carries its auto show glitz with esprit. Avenir trim, which is Buick’s version of GMC’s Denali, eschews trite tacked on portholes, but glams it up with a chrome mesh grille, 19” wheels, and roof rack. LED headlamps hide beneath squinty driving lamps while smoked lenses give the rear a sophisticated finish. It’s a sculptural delight, looking fit on its tight footprint. Restyled red, blue, and white Buick logos shine like sculpted chrome ornaments at both ends.
The language of fresh luxury continues inside where the sweeping twin screens for gauges and infotainment appear as glass artwork rising from the contrasting color dash with faux stitching and plasti-carbon trim that have apparently replaced fake wood from Buicks past. Heated front seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate control add comfort. Bose audio fills the cabin from devices connected via USBs, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Charge wirelessly too. Active noise cancellation provides a Buick-quiet ride.
While the Encore GX feels quite upscale from the front seats, the second row is a little tight for full-size adults. Kids will love it, though. Cargo space would be snug with four people away for a week, but split/fold rear seats open a cavern for active college grads, young couples or empty nesters. Everybody stays safe with adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic detection, and a rearview camera mirror also do their parts.
Peppy Turbo Performance
Tucked behind the flashy grin is a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine connected to a 9-speed automatic transmission. It’s a peppy little sprite given 155 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque. Add all-wheel-drive for all-weather capability. Fuel economy rates an acceptable 26/28-MPG city/highway, but digits starting with 3s should be expected. Chalk that up to a tall profile and AWD.
The turbo-three and 9-speed auto work together adeptly to stay in the right rev range for quick exits, but that’s only part of the Encore’s driving experience. It could use a proper four-wheel independent suspension to rival true luxury models, and adding magnetic ride control would be amazing, but there’s little complaint about the compound crank rear suspension that soaks up all but the roughest pavement before doing a little jitter. It’s perfectly pleasant during long-distance touring, eating Interstate for brunch, plus daily sprints to work or shopping.
With the Encore GX Avenir, you can get a stylish crossover that’s athletic, luxurious, and relatively affordable. In fact, the Encore GX starts at a seriously affordable $25,940 and came to just $37,085 optioned like a full-on luxury ride. Competitors include the Acura ZDX, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks, and Lexus NX.
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