The Buick Encore earned its following by proving a small crossover could still feel polished, and that idea carries forward in the Encore GX. At Ray Skillman, near Noblesville, IN, we keep the current version of Buick’s smallest SUV in stock alongside quality pre-owned examples of the model that started it all.
We have been a family-run operation in central Indiana since 1979, and three generations of Skillmans still work in the business. For drivers near Noblesville, IN, that means a short trip, a low-pressure showroom, and a team that would rather help you find the right fit than push you toward the biggest sticker on the lot.
The three trims read less like a ladder and more like personalities. Preferred covers the essentials with 18-inch bright silver wheels and cloth-and-leatherette seating. Sport Touring runs darker and sharper, with gloss-black wheels, a blacked-out grille, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and ST badging. Avenir is the quiet-luxury pick, with perforated leather-appointed seats, 19-inch pearl-nickel wheels, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control.
| Feature | Preferred | Sport Touring | Avenir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.3L Turbo | 1.3L Turbo | 1.3L Turbo |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard, AWD available | FWD standard, AWD available | FWD standard, AWD available |
| Wheels | 18-inch bright silver aluminum | 18-inch gloss black | 19-inch pearl nickel aluminum |
| Seating surfaces | Cloth with leatherette | Leatherette with ST embroidery | Perforated leather-appointed |
| 11-inch touchscreen | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Buick Driver Confidence | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Available (Comfort Package) | Available (Comfort Package) | Standard |
| Heated steering wheel | N/A | N/A | Standard |
| Dual-zone climate control | N/A | N/A | Standard |
| Hands-free power liftgate | N/A | N/A | Available |
| Advanced tech package | Available | Available | Available (Avenir version) |
| Trailering Package | Available | Available | Available |
Charts help, but seat time settles it. Plenty of people walk in leaning toward one trim and leave having picked another. We will pull a couple out front and let you compare them back to back.
The Encore GX runs a 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder rated at 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, with that torque peak arriving at 1,600 rpm, right where daily driving lives. Front-wheel-drive models use a continuously variable transmission, while all-wheel-drive builds get a nine-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available on all three trims, and the extra traction pays off on a slick January morning.
EPA estimates land at 29 mpg city and 31 highway with front-wheel drive, and 26/28 with all-wheel drive, so the I-69 commute costs less at the pump. At 171.1 inches long, this SUV tucks into spots that larger crossovers have to circle the lot for. Add the available Trailering Package, and it will pull up to 1,000 pounds, plenty for a small utility trailer. Schedule a test drive and see how it feels on your normal route.
Buick puts real effort into keeping road noise outside, and QuietTuning with active noise cancellation does most of that work. A phone call sounds clear, and a podcast does not need the volume cranked. An ultrawide 11-inch HD color touchscreen anchors the dash next to an 8-inch driver information center, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect your phone without digging for a cable.
The 40/60 split-folding rear bench and available fold-flat front passenger seatback make room for long, awkward loads, and there is roughly 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats before you fold anything. Four USB ports keep the back seat happy, a 120-volt outlet handles a laptop charger, and an available panoramic moonroof brightens the interior. Avenir buyers can add a hands-free power liftgate that opens with a kick under the bumper, worth every penny when your arms are full.
Every trim arrives with the Buick Driver Confidence package, so nobody pays extra for the basics: automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert with a following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and IntelliBeam auto high beams that dim for oncoming traffic on dark county roads.
Preferred and Sport Touring buyers can add the Advanced Technology Package for adaptive cruise control, HD Surround Vision, and rear park assist, and Avenir offers its own version of that bundle. Adaptive cruise alone changes how a long highway stint feels, holding your gap without constant pedal work.
Ray Skillman started selling cars in 1960 and opened his first Indiana store in 1979. His son, son-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter all work here now, which is a big part of why our approach has not changed. Our finance team works with national banks and local lenders and considers all kinds of credit histories, so a straight answer requires a conversation, not a guessing game. Our trade-in program is built to deliver real value, and you can start that process online before you visit.
After the sale, our factory-trained technicians and genuine OEM parts keep things simple, and the free coffee and fresh-baked cookies in the lounge do not hurt. We have put more than $3 million into central Indiana schools, parks, food banks, and youth sports because this community made the business possible. Stop by, take a Buick Encore for a drive, and see what “it’s better at Ray Skillman” feels like.
Ray Skillman carries the full Buick small SUV lineup, and our showroom sits along the northeast corridor, so the trip is short. Give us a call or browse our selection online before you make the drive.
The GX stands for Grand Crossover, and Buick treats it as a separate vehicle rather than a trim of the original Encore. It is longer, wider, and roomier in the cargo area while still seating five. The original Encore is no longer built, so you will find it on our lot as a pre-owned option.
Yes. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available on every trim, including Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. All-wheel-drive models use a nine-speed automatic transmission instead of the CVT that comes with front-wheel drive.
Buick lists roughly 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The 40/60 split-folding rear bench frees up more room when you need it, and an available fold-flat front passenger seatback lets you slide in longer items. It handles a grocery run and a hardware store trip on the same afternoon.
Yes, and we would rather you know that number before you shop. Our trade-in program is built to get you top dollar, and that value can go straight toward whatever you drive home. Use our online value-your-trade tool to get started.
We do. Our factory-trained technicians handle everything from oil changes and tire rotations to warranty work and major repairs, using genuine OEM parts. Our commitment to you does not end when you drive off the lot, and you can schedule service online whenever it suits your week.
