Little triples like this are often rough by nature, and Buick's 1.3-liter is no exception. The nine-speed transmission operates smoothly and seamlessly, and with the engine's full torque punch coming on strong at just 1,600 rpm, there's plenty of low-end power for scooting around town. Regardless of engine, front-wheel-drive models use a continuously variable transmission, but the 1.3/AWD pairing gets a nine-speed automatic. I can't speak to the smaller 1.2-liter I3 and its 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, as my South Korea-built Sport Touring tester has the larger 1.3, which brings 155 hp and 174 lb-ft to the party. Front-wheel drive is standard, and if you want all-wheel drive, you're forced into getting the larger inline-three. The Encore GX is available with either a 1.2-liter or 1.3-liter I3 engine, both of which are turbocharged. Buick maintains it's a premium brand, and its larger vehicles are actually quite nice inside - even the smaller Encore can be decidedly more plush - but the GX's interior is no better (or in some cases, worse) than what you'll find in non-luxury competitors like the Hyundai Kona or Specific items like the turn signal and windshield wiper stalks are the same low-rent parts General Motors has been using for years, and the rest of the controls are all just kind of meh. And even the more upscale-looking materials on the dashboard feel weirdly rubbery. If something looks like cheap plastic, it is cheap plastic. Don't forget the $25,095 Encore GX (including $995 for destination) is based on the $19,995 Trailblazer, and it doesn't take long to find evidence of those budget roots. Stepping inside reveals a handsome, nicely organized cabin, although the closer you look, the more flaws you find. Still, you're likely better off skipping this package and saving some money I think the Encore GX is just as attractive with its standard gray exterior trim. I could absolutely do without the red stuff, but the rest of the Sport Touring getup is actually rather nice. The version you see here wears Sport Touring duds - a $1,100 package that adds body-colored side moldings, unique bumpers and a whole bunch of red accents in the grille. The GX is certainly more handsome than the little potato that is the Encore, with standard 18-inch wheels and LED headlights.
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