Photo: Buick Encore GX by HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. It shows the model, not always this exact version.
Buick · model year 2026
2026 Buick Encore GX FWD
SUV · Front-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Where it places
- 69 Fuel-efficient SUVs
Ordered by combined MPG #69 of 479 - 113 Fuel-efficient small SUVs
Ordered by combined MPG #113 of 521 - 06 Buick cars
Every model year, newest first #6 of 730 - 173 2026 cars and trucks
Every car of that year, A to Z #173 of 1,172 - 280 Gas and hybrid cars by fuel cost
Ordered by fuel a year #280 of 2,158
Against fuel-efficient SUVs
The CarCody take
The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD is a gasoline small SUV with front-wheel drive, a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios. Its EPA rating is 30 MPG combined, with 29 MPG city and 31 MPG highway. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $2,250.
Good to know
- 30 MPG combined EPA rating
- 31 MPG highway economy
- Front-wheel drive
- 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine
- Automatic transmission with variable gear ratios
Watch for
- $2,250 estimated annual fuel cost
- 29 MPG city rating
- 297 grams per mile tailpipe CO2
- Gasoline powertrain
Who it suits. Drivers seeking a small front-wheel-drive SUV Mixed city and highway driving
The Encore GX FWD makes sense for buyers who want a small SUV footprint, front-wheel drive, and predictable gasoline economy. A 30-MPG combined rating keeps city and highway figures close, so neither type of trip dominates the estimate. Budget around $2,250 a year for fuel under the EPA estimate. Its 297 grams-per-mile tailpipe CO2 figure and gasoline powertrain are the main costs beyond the pump bill. Put its combined number next to other SUVs to see whether the balance fits your driving.
What it is
The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD is a gasoline SUV classified by the EPA as a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD. It sends power to the front wheels.
Its engine is a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. An automatic transmission with variable gear ratios handles shifting.
The numbers
The figure to keep is 30 MPG combined. The Encore GX FWD is rated at 29 MPG in city driving and 31 MPG on the highway.
That combined number gives you a single figure for comparing this Buick with other SUVs, including models in the fuel-efficient SUV chart.
What it costs to run
The EPA estimates $2,250 in annual fuel cost for the Encore GX FWD. That is the yearly gasoline-spending figure attached to its EPA rating.
Tailpipe carbon dioxide output is 297 grams per mile.
How it compares
Use 30 MPG combined when placing the Encore GX FWD beside similar SUVs. The 29 city and 31 highway ratings show a small split between urban and highway driving.
For same-make context, you can also look across Buick cars. The available figures here do not establish a higher or lower position against other models.
Who it suits
This Buick suits a driver who wants a small SUV with front-wheel drive and a gasoline powertrain. Its nearly even city and highway ratings fit mixed driving rather than one single route.
Trade-offs
The 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder and variable-ratio automatic keep the powertrain compact, but this is still a gasoline vehicle with a $2,250 EPA annual fuel-cost estimate.
Highway economy is 31 MPG, only two MPG above the 29 MPG city rating. Tailpipe CO2 is listed at 297 grams per mile.
Verdict
Choose the Encore GX FWD if a small, front-drive SUV and a 30-MPG combined rating match your normal trips. Its EPA figures point to fairly consistent fuel use in town and on the open road, while the annual gasoline estimate gives you a clear running-cost baseline. The trade-off is straightforward: this is a gasoline-only setup, and its emissions figure is part of the ownership picture. Compare that 30-MPG mark with other SUVs before deciding.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 30 MPG
- City MPG
- 29 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 31 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,250
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 297 g per mile
- Model year
- 2026
- Body
- SUV
- EPA size class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 1.3 L 3-cyl turbo
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What is the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD's combined MPG?
The EPA combined rating is 30 MPG.
How does the Encore GX FWD do in city driving?
It is rated at 29 MPG city.
What is its highway MPG?
The EPA highway rating is 31 MPG.
How much does it cost to fuel each year?
The EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $2,250.
What engine and transmission does it use?
It has a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios.
Is the Encore GX FWD front-wheel drive?
Yes. The FWD model sends power to the front wheels.
How much tailpipe CO2 does it emit?
Tailpipe CO2 is listed at 297 grams per mile.
Cars around it
2027 Nissan Kicks AWD
30 MPG · $2,250 fuel a year
2027 Kia Seltos FWD
30 MPG · $2,250 fuel a year
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD
30 MPG · $2,250 fuel a year
2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid AWD
30 MPG · $2,250 fuel a year 2025 Buick Encore GX FWD
30 MPG · $2,250 fuel a year
2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD
30 MPG · $2,250 fuel a year 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD FFV
30 MPG · $2,250 fuel a year