How Big Is Each Small Buick SUV?

Photo Source/Copyright: Buick

Not everybody needs three rows and a turning circle like a cruise ship. Many shoppers want something they can thread through a packed grocery lot, park on a narrow city street, and still feel a little pampered inside. That’s the lane Buick’s two smallest crossovers were built for.

There are two of them, and they aren’t twins. The Envista and the Encore GX share a platform, yet they go about the job in noticeably different ways. Here’s how to tell which small Buick SUV belongs in your driveway.

How Small Is Small?

Size gets slippery here. Measure bumper to bumper, and the Envista is the bigger vehicle, nearly a foot longer than the Encore GX. Stand next to them, though, and the GX sits taller, with a boxier roof that pays off the second you open the liftgate. One’s long and low; the other’s short and upright. Neither will make parallel parking feel like a driving-test flashback.

Envista: Long, Low, and Easy on the Wallet

The Envista is Buick’s entry ticket, starting under $25,000 MSRP (excluding destination fee). Its fastback roofline looks like it wandered over from a pricier showroom, and the cabin backs that up with a wide-screen dash layout and QuietTuning sound deadening.

It’s front-wheel drive (FWD) only, trimming weight and cost. Pair it with good all-season tires, and it handles a soggy commute just fine.

• Engine: 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder, 137 horsepower / 162 pound-feet of torque
• Transmission: Six-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (FWD) only

Encore GX: Taller, Roomier, and Built for Weather

Spend a little more and the Encore GX opens doors the Envista keeps shut. The big one is available all-wheel drive (AWD), which matters if your winters involve a snow shovel and a little prayer. The upright shape swallows noticeably more gear, so the weekend haul to the hardware store doesn’t turn into a guessing game of what will fit.

Under the hood, the stronger 1.3-liter turbo is standard, while the smaller 1.2-liter has been phased out. Pricing starts under $27,000 MSRP (excluding destination fee).

• Engine: 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder, 155 horsepower / 174 pound-feet of torque
• Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with FWD or nine-speed automatic with AWD
• Drivetrain: FWD or available AWD

So, Which One Fits Your Driveway?

Mostly city miles, solo trips, and a budget to keep in check? The Envista makes sense. Its longer wheelbase also gives rear-seat riders more legroom than the exterior suggests.

Snow belt driver? Dog that travels in a crate? Weekend trips with real luggage? That’s Encore GX territory. The upright roof adds rear headroom, and the taller body makes loading a child seat less of a back workout.

Drive both back to back. The difference shows up in a few minutes, mostly in how you sit and how the cargo floor looks with your gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Envista offer all-wheel drive?

A: No. Every Envista is front-wheel drive. Shoppers who want AWD should look at the Encore GX.

Q: Which small Buick has more cargo space?

A: The Encore GX wins clearly: 50.2 cubic feet with seats folded versus the Envista’s 42.0.

Q: Is a three-cylinder engine enough for highway driving?

A: For daily commuting and road trips, yes. Both engines pull well at low revs. It isn’t a drag racer, and it never pretends to be.

Test Drive Both

Reading spec sheets only gets you so far. Come see the Envista and Encore GX in person, sit in both, fold the seats, and schedule a test drive this week to see which one earns a spot in your garage.