This is why Buick discontinued the Encore

Interestingly, while the Buick Encore may be dead, the Encore brand is not. The Buick Encore GX, which was introduced in the 2020 model year as the younger sibling of the now-defunct crossover, is still alive and kicking. In a way, GX carries its namesake legacy single-handedly. Meanwhile, there’s an argument to be made that the arrival of the GX is what killed the original Encore in the first place.

For the years that the Encore and Encore GX shared a spot on Buick’s slate, the pair of models were meant to complement each other. The Buick GX is slightly larger than its counterpart, entering the sub-plus range. Initially, the car was marketed as a premium alternative to the Encore, offering more cabin and storage space, a wider range of customization options for its three-cylinder engine, unique trim that is unique to the GX line, and other special features.

Despite Buick positioning the Encore and Encore GX as two separate models, the crossover appeal between the two was undeniable. Not only did the pair fit within the subcompact SUV market but they were also priced competitively. For reference, the 2020 Buick Encore started at a base price of $24,195, while the 2020 Buick Encore GX came in at a slightly higher but ultimately comparable price of $25,095. At the end of the day, it was inevitable that the GX would begin to outsell its sibling car.