Is the Buick Encore All-Wheel Drive? AWD Availability Explained

Short answer: Yes, the Buick Encore GX offers all-wheel drive as an option across all trim levels.

Longer answer: There’s some nuance worth understanding before you check that AWD box on the order form, because while it’s available, it’s not standard, it comes with specific engine and transmission pairings, and it affects price, fuel economy, and towing capacity in ways you should know about.

Let’s break down exactly how AWD works in the Buick Encore GX (the current model, the original smaller Encore has been discontinued), when it makes sense, and what you’re actually getting for the upgrade.

Buick Encore GX AWD Options: What’s Available?

The 2026 Buick Encore GX comes in three trims: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. Each one offers AWD as an add-on option, though the specifics change slightly depending on which trim you choose.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Preferred trim – The base model starts at around $25,900 with front-wheel drive (FWD). Add AWD, and the price climbs to approximately $27,300. That $1,400-ish premium gets you the AWD system plus an upgraded engine and transmission (more on that shortly).
• Sport Touring trim – Starts around $29,100 with FWD. AWD bumps it to roughly $30,800. Again, that premium includes the mechanical upgrades that come with the AWD system.
• Avenir trim – This is the only trim where AWD comes standard. Starting around $33,400, the Avenir includes all-wheel drive as part of its luxury package. You can’t get an Avenir without it.

Important note: When you opt for AWD on the Preferred or Sport Touring trims, you’re not just adding a drivetrain, you’re also getting a more powerful engine and a different transmission.

• FWD models get: – 1.2L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine – 137 horsepower, 162 lb-ft torque – Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – EPA-estimated 30 city / 31 highway / 30 combined mpg
• AWD models get: – 1.3L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine (mandatory upgrade) – 155 horsepower, 174 lb-ft torque – 9-speed automatic transmission – EPA-estimated 26 city / 28 highway / 27 combined mpg

So, you’re not just paying for AWD, you’re paying for more power, a conventional automatic instead of a CVT, and accepting slightly lower fuel economy. Whether that trade-off makes sense depends on your priorities.

How Does Buick Encore AWD Work?

The Encore GX’s AWD system is what’s called an “on-demand” system. Here’s what that actually means in practice.

Normal driving (dry pavement, good conditions): The system sends power primarily to the front wheels. The rear wheels are along for the ride, not actively driven. This saves fuel and reduces wear on the AWD components.

When traction gets sketchy (rain, wet pavement, loose gravel): Sensors continuously monitor wheel speed, throttle position, and steering angle. If the front wheels start slipping, even slightly, the system automatically sends power to the rear wheels. This happens in milliseconds, without any input from you.

The amount of power sent rearward varies based on conditions. Light slip? Maybe 10-20% of torque goes to the rear. Significant loss of front traction? Up to 50% can shift rearward.

When you stop or conditions improve: The system automatically returns to front-wheel drive to maximize efficiency.

Drive Mode Selector (available on AWD models): You get four driving modes to customize how the system behaves:

• Normal – Balances efficiency and traction for everyday driving
• AWD – Maximizes power to all four wheels for challenging conditions
• Sport – Sharpens throttle response and transmission shifts
• Off-Road – Optimizes traction for light trails, gravel, or sand

Here’s the reality: Most Florida drivers will spend 95% of their time in Normal mode. AWD engages automatically when needed for rain or occasional slippery conditions. The other modes exist for those rare occasions when conditions get truly challenging.

Benefits of All-Wheel Drive in the Buick Encore

AWD isn’t magic, and it won’t turn your Encore GX into a Jeep Wrangler. But it does offer some genuine advantages worth considering.

• Better traction in wet conditions – Florida gets serious rainfall. When roads turn slick, AWD helps maintain grip when accelerating from a stop or merging onto the highway. It’s not about off-roading, it’s about confident acceleration when pavement is soaked.
• Improved stability in less-than-ideal situations – Wet leaves, loose gravel in a parking lot, sandy shoulders, occasional puddles, AWD helps the vehicle maintain composure in these everyday scenarios that aren’t dramatic but do matter.
• Enhanced confidence for nervous drivers – Some people just feel better knowing they have AWD, even if conditions don’t strictly require it. That peace of mind is worth something, especially for drivers who’ve had scary moments in FWD vehicles during heavy rain.
• Slightly higher resale value – AWD vehicles tend to hold their value marginally better, particularly in markets where buyers perceive it as desirable. The difference isn’t huge, but it exists.
• Light towing capability – The Encore GX with AWD can tow up to 1,000 lbs when properly equipped. That’s enough for a small utility trailer, jet ski, or lightweight teardrop camper. FWD models aren’t rated for towing.

What AWD does NOT do:

It doesn’t help you stop faster. (Brakes do that, and all four wheels have them regardless of drivetrain.)

It doesn’t prevent you from getting stuck if you drive into deep sand or mud. (Ground clearance and tire choice matter more than AWD in those situations.)

It doesn’t make winter tires unnecessary if you’re driving in snow. (Proper tires beat AWD with all-season tires every time.)

It doesn’t significantly improve handling or cornering. (The Encore GX isn’t a sports car, and AWD won’t change that.)

Buick Encore FWD vs. AWD: Which Should You Choose?

This isn’t a yes-or-no question with a single right answer. It’s a “what matters to you?” question.

Choose FWD if:

• You primarily drive in good weather on paved roads
• Fuel economy matters and you want that extra 3-4 mpg
• You’re trying to minimize the purchase price
• You don’t need towing capability
• You’re comfortable with front-wheel drive and have driven it for years without issues
• You live in an area where severe weather is rare

FWD makes sense for: Urban and suburban drivers in Florida who rarely encounter challenging conditions. Retirees who drive mostly for errands, appointments, and visiting family. Budget-conscious buyers who want to keep monthly payments lower.

Choose AWD if:

• You frequently drive in heavy rain or wet conditions
• You want maximum traction confidence year-round
• You occasionally tow lightweight trailers
• You venture onto unpaved roads, beaches, or light trails
• You prefer the more powerful 1.3L engine and traditional automatic transmission
• You’ve had scary moments in FWD vehicles and want that extra security
• The 3-4 mpg fuel economy difference doesn’t concern you

AWD makes sense for: Drivers who want peace of mind in wet conditions. Anyone who tows occasionally. People who explore beyond paved roads. Buyers who prioritize the upgraded engine and transmission.

The honest take:

Most Encore GX buyers in Stuart probably don’t need AWD. Florida doesn’t get snow. Even heavy rain is usually manageable with FWD and good tires.

But “need” and “want” are different. If AWD gives you confidence, reduces anxiety during storms, or provides capability you’ll occasionally use, that $1,400-$1,700 premium might be worth it.

Test drive both. See if the AWD model’s extra power and different transmission feel notably better to you. If they do, and the fuel economy trade-off seems reasonable, go for it. If the FWD model feels perfectly adequate, save the money.

Buick Encore GX AWD: The Upgraded Option

While the standard Encore GX is the compact SUV in Buick’s lineup, there’s actually a bit of confusion worth clearing up: the current model is technically the Encore GX, not the original Encore.

The original Buick Encore (smaller, less powerful, no AWD option) was discontinued after 2022. What you’re buying now is the Encore GX, which is:

• Longer (171.1 inches vs. 168.4 inches)
• More powerful (137-155 hp vs. 138 hp)
• More spacious (23.5 cubic feet cargo vs. 18.8 cubic feet)
• Available with AWD (the original Encore never offered it)

Why does this matter? Because if you’re cross-shopping or comparing older information, make sure you’re looking at Encore GX specs, not original Encore specs. They’re different vehicles.

The Encore GX with AWD delivers:

• 155 horsepower, 174 lb-ft torque (1.3L turbo engine)
• 9-speed automatic transmission
• Standard or available Drive Mode Selector
• Up to 1,000 lbs towing capacity
• 26/28 mpg (city/highway)
• Seating for five
• 5 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats (50.2 cubic feet with seats folded)

It’s a genuinely capable compact SUV that punches above its size class in features and refinement while remaining easy to park and maneuver.

Explore AWD Buick Encore Models at Starling Buick GMC Stuart

Reading specs is useful. Driving the actual vehicle is better.

At Starling Buick GMC Stuart, we stock both FWD and AWD Encore GX models. Same trim, different drivetrains. Drive them back-to-back. Feel the difference in acceleration (AWD models have the more powerful engine). Test them in similar conditions. See which one feels right.

What to pay attention to during test drives:

Acceleration feel from stops and merges. The 1.3L turbo (AWD models) feels noticeably peppier than the 1.2L.

Transmission behavior. Some people prefer the 9-speed automatic over the CVT, even if they don’t care about AWD itself.

Noise and refinement. Both are quiet thanks to Buick’s QuietTuning, but the AWD model’s transmission can feel slightly smoother.

Visibility and ease of driving. These are identical between FWD and AWD, but worth confirming during your test drive.

Whether the driving experience justifies the price premium and fuel economy trade-off.

We’ll run the numbers for both configurations, monthly payments, fuel costs, insurance estimates, so you can make an informed decision based on real data, not guesswork.

Browse our Encore GX inventory, schedule a test drive, or stop by our Stuart location. We’re here to answer questions and help you figure out which drivetrain makes sense for how you actually drive.

Conclusion

Yes, the Buick Encore GX offers AWD. It’s optional on Preferred and Sport Touring trims, standard on Avenir. The upgrade costs around $1,400-$1,700 and includes a more powerful engine and better transmission along with the AWD system itself.

For most Stuart drivers, FWD is probably adequate. But if you want extra traction confidence, occasional towing capability, or simply prefer how the AWD model drives, the upgrade delivers tangible benefits.

At Starling Buick GMC Stuart, we’ll help you figure out which configuration fits your priorities, without pressure, without upselling, just honest guidance based on how you’ll actually use the vehicle.

Explore your options, get a quote, or visit us in Stuart. Your perfect Encore GX is out there, let’s find it together.