What Gas Mileage Does a Buick Encore GX Get in Houston Driving?

Every 2026 Buick Encore GX carries EPA ratings for city, highway and combined driving, and they differ by engine and by front-wheel or all-wheel drive. For Houston, read the city figure for stop-and-go streets, the highway figure for freeway miles, and the combined figure as the blend of the two.

Front-wheel drive carries the best ratings in the Encore GX lineup. All-wheel drive gives up some mpg in exchange for traction.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Houston. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

What are the Buick Encore GX’s city and highway MPG ratings for Houston drivers?

The 2026 Encore GX all-wheel drive is rated 26 city and 28 highway by the EPA. Both front-wheel drive versions rate higher on both lines, and the flex fuel front-wheel drive model rates highest on city driving.

These are the EPA certified figures for the 2026 model year:

• Gasoline, all-wheel drive: 26 city, 28 highway, 27 combined
• Gasoline, front-wheel drive: 29 city, 31 highway, 30 combined
• Flex fuel, front-wheel drive: 30 city, 31 highway, 30 combined

On FM 1960, the stop-and-go stretches of your drive match the city number. Freeway miles match the highway number. The combined figure is the blend of the two, so it is the one to use when you want a single number for a mixed week.

Which Buick Encore GX engine and drivetrain gets the best MPG?

Front-wheel drive gets the best fuel economy in the Encore GX lineup. The gasoline front-wheel drive model and the flex fuel front-wheel drive model both carry a 30 mpg combined rating, while the all-wheel drive model carries 27.

All-wheel drive is the choice for traction, and it gives up some mpg to get it. If your goal is the most fuel economy from the Encore GX, a front-wheel drive model is the place to start. The flex fuel front-wheel drive model is rated 30 city and 31 highway, the highest city figure in the lineup. For stop-and-go driving on FM 1960, the city number is the one to compare.

How does the Buick Encore GX’s MPG compare with the Envista and Envision?

Buick publishes EPA city, highway and combined figures for the Encore GX, Envista and Envision. Each figure belongs to the trim and drivetrain it names, so compare like with like.

The Envista base front-wheel drive model and the Envista flex fuel model are each rated 28 city, 32 highway and 30 combined.

The Envista’s 32 highway is the highest highway figure in this group. For city driving, the Encore GX leads the group. For a long freeway run, the Envista’s figure is the higher one.

What do city, highway and combined MPG ratings mean on a Buick Encore GX?

The combined rating is a weighted average of the city figure at 55% and the highway figure at 45% (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026). A week that is mostly city driving leans on the city number, and a week that is mostly freeway leans on the highway number.

Every rating starts as a test result. Automakers test a representative vehicle over 5 defined test cycles on a dynamometer, and the EPA audits manufacturer data and independently confirms roughly 15% of results at its NVFEL facility (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026).

The test also covers Houston weather. The EPA procedure runs at three temperatures, including 95°F with the climate control set to 72°F auto and a simulated solar load (U.S. Department of Energy).

Has the Buick Encore GX’s EPA MPG changed from earlier model years?

Not from 2025 to 2026. The EPA’s 2025 ratings match the 2026 figures above: 26 city, 28 highway and 27 combined for gasoline all-wheel drive, 29 city, 31 highway and 30 combined for gasoline front-wheel drive, and 30 city, 31 highway and 30 combined for flex fuel front-wheel drive. When you compare two Encore GX models, match the model year and the drivetrain first, then read the city, highway and combined figures.

FAQ

Does the Buick Encore GX come with all-wheel drive?

Yes. The all-wheel drive version runs on gasoline and trades some mpg for traction. If you drive in rain or on wet freeway ramps often, that trade is the reason to choose it.

What fuel does the Buick Encore GX use?

The gasoline models use a 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine, in both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. The flex fuel version is a front-wheel drive model with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, and it is built to run on more than one fuel.

How much does a 2026 Buick Encore GX cost?

Buick lists a starting MSRP of $26,200 for the Preferred trim. The Sport Touring starts at $27,400, and the Avenir starts at $31,700. These are Buick’s starting MSRPs.

How much cargo space does the Buick Encore GX have?

Buick lists about 23.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row. That figure applies to the whole Encore GX model line, not to one trim.

What warranty comes with a new Buick Encore GX?

Buick’s basic warranty runs 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Rust-through coverage runs 3 years or 36,000 miles, or 6 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, and Buick says to see the dealer for details.

How do I compare the MPG of two SUVs when I shop?

Compare the same drivetrain and the same model year. Front-wheel drive gets the best fuel economy among Encore GX configurations, and all-wheel drive gets lower mpg. Use the combined figure for the overall picture, and check the city and highway figures against your own driving.

Does Group 1 Buick GMC North have the Buick Encore GX in stock?

We sell new Buick Encore GX models at 11300 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX 77065.

Why shop for a Buick Encore GX at Group 1 Buick GMC North in Houston?

Group 1 Buick GMC North sells new Buick and GMC models, including the Encore GX, Envista and Envision. We are at 11300 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX 77065, and we are part of Group 1 Automotive. Our Google record, as of October 2026, is 4.4 stars across 7,919 reviews (Google, 2026), and 79% of those reviews are five-star.

Among the seven same-brand Buick GMC dealers in this market, we have the most Google reviews.

In a July 2026 Google review, Mark D. wrote: “Fantastic place to buy a car no pressure and straightforward. Dealing with these folks Jon our salesman was fantastic.”

In a July 2026 Google review, Kenneth C. wrote: “Ashkan was a great salesman, everyone from front desk to finance was very courteous and professional. I especially liked the no pressure persona there”

Sales hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, closed Sunday. Service hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and Saturday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed Sunday. Call sales at (281) 897-6690, or service at (281) 897-6610.

For a Houston buyer weighing MPG, the next step is to choose the drivetrain you need, then check the figures against your own commute. To start, apply for financing online, browse our new Encore GX inventory, or visit Group 1 Buick GMC North at 11300 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX 77065.

Group 1 Buick GMC North answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Houston showroom, or call (281) 897-6690.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Buick GMC North for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.