2026–27 Buick Envision vs Buick Encore GX: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Encore GX — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,895 vs $41,300) and better 5-year value retention (51.7% vs 43.3%). Choose the Envision if you want the most power (228 hp vs 155 hp).
Scorecard: Envision 2 pts · Encore GX 3.5 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Envision | 2027 Encore GX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $41,300 | $26,895 | Encore GX |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 43.3% | 51.7% | Encore GX |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 25 mpg | — | No data |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 228 hp | 155 hp | Envision |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | 1,000 lb | Envision |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 2 | 3.5 | Encore GX |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Encore GX — $26,895 vs $41,300 (starting MSRP).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Envision 5 vs Encore GX 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Encore GX — $26,895 vs $41,300 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Encore GX — 51.7% vs 43.3% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Envision — 1,500 lb vs 1,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Envision starts at $41,300 and tops out at $50,700; the Encore GX runs $26,895 to $31,700 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Envision: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Encore GX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Envision 2, Encore GX 2.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Envision 2021 (solid), 2022 (caution), 2023 (caution) · Encore GX 2023 (solid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Envision | 2027 Encore GX | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $41,300 | $26,895 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $50,700 | $31,700 |
| Horsepower | 228 hp | 155 hp |
| Max torque | 258 lb-ft | 174 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 25 mpg | — |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 1,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Envision lists for a median $21,214 — 43.3% of today's median new price of $48,943. A 5-year-old (2021) Encore GX lists for a median $16,593 — 51.7% of today's median new price of $32,118.
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More on the Buick Envision
More on the Buick Encore GX
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Envision better than the Encore GX?
On our data, no — the Encore GX comes out ahead. Our pick: the Encore GX — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,895 vs $41,300) and better 5-year value retention (51.7% vs 43.3%). Choose the Envision if you want the most power (228 hp vs 155 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Envision or the Encore GX?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Envision and 2 for the Encore GX.
Which holds its value better, the Envision or the Encore GX?
The Encore GX: a 5-year-old example lists for 51.7% of the new price, versus 43.3% for the Envision, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Envision or the Encore GX?
The Encore GX starts lower: $26,895 vs $41,300 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Envision or the Encore GX?
EPA ratings aren't on file for both models.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Buick Envision vs Buick Encore GX: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/buick-envision-vs-buick-encore-gx, updated November 8, 2026.