2026 Buick SUV Lineup: Which Model Fits You?
Compare the Envista, Encore GX, Envision and Enclave on price, space, fuel economy and all-wheel drive at Arnie Bauer Buick GMC in Matteson, IL.
Buick Envista vs. Encore GX: Price, Power and MPG
2026 Buick Envista
Short answer: the 2026 Buick SUV lineup has four models. Choose the Envista for the lowest price and best highway mpg, the Encore GX for a small SUV with available all-wheel drive, the Envision for standard AWD and big-screen tech, or the three-row Enclave for families. Our Buick Encore GX vs. Envista comparison goes deeper on the two small models. The Envista is the entry point, with a $24,700 starting MSRP and a long, low, coupe-like roofline, according to Buick’s 2026 Envista specifications.
- 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder with 137 hp and 162 lb-ft, paired with a six-speed automatic
- EPA-estimated 28 city / 32 highway mpg, the best highway rating of any Buick SUV
- Front-wheel drive only, and not rated for towing
- 42 cu. ft. of maximum cargo space with the rear seat folded
- 11-inch diagonal touchscreen and 8-inch driver display in Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir trims
2026 Buick Encore GX
The Encore GX is about 11 inches shorter than the Envista, yet it rides taller and holds more cargo, so it is easier to park and still swallows more gear. The bigger difference for Chicagoland drivers is traction: all-wheel drive is available on every Encore GX trim, with a starting MSRP of $26,895. EPA fuel economy ratings put front-drive models at up to 31 mpg on the highway.
- Standard 1.2L turbo (137 hp) on front-drive Preferred models; a 1.3L turbo with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft on other trims and every AWD model
- Available all-wheel drive on Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir, paired with a nine-speed automatic
- EPA-estimated up to 30 city / 31 highway mpg with FWD and 26 / 28 mpg with AWD
- 50.2 cu. ft. of maximum cargo space, about 8 more than the Envista
- Rated to tow up to 1,000 lbs when properly equipped
Buick Enclave vs. Encore GX: Seats, Space and Cargo
2026 Buick Encore GX Interior and Cargo
Think of the Encore GX as the right-size Buick for one or two people and a weekend’s worth of gear. It seats five, keeps 23.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat for groceries, strollers or carry-ons, and its 171-inch length slips into tight city parking spots that a three-row SUV can’t.
- Seats five across two rows
- 23.5 cu. ft. behind the rear seat and 50.2 cu. ft. with it folded
- About three feet shorter than the Enclave, so it is easier in garages and parking decks
- 11-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Avenir trim adds Buick’s most premium cabin finishes
2026 Buick Enclave Interior and Cargo
The Enclave plays a different role: it is Buick’s three-row family SUV. If you’re weighing the Enclave vs. the Encore GX, ask one question. Do you regularly carry more than five people, or bulky gear plus passengers? If the answer is yes, the Enclave is the only Buick that fits, with seven seats and up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
- Seats seven, with second-row captain’s chairs
- About 23 cu. ft. behind the third row and up to 97.5 cu. ft. with both rear rows folded
- 32 inches of third-row legroom for kids and shorter adults
- 2.5L turbo four-cylinder with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft
- Tows up to 5,000 lbs, with the Trailering Package standard for 2026
Buick SUV Technology: Envision vs. Enclave
2026 Buick Envision Technology
The Envision sits between the compact pair and the Enclave in price, and it is the tech standout for drivers who don’t need a third row. Every 2026 Envision gets all-wheel drive, a 228-hp turbo engine and a 30-inch diagonal display that sweeps across the dashboard, with a starting MSRP of $41,300.
- 30-inch diagonal ultrawide display that combines the driver gauges and infotainment screen
- Google built-in for maps, voice commands and apps
- Standard Bose premium audio with nine speakers
- 2.0L turbo with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft, a nine-speed automatic and standard AWD
- Available Blind Zone Steering Assist
2026 Buick Enclave Technology
The Enclave brings the same 30-inch diagonal screen into a larger cabin and adds available Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driver assistance technology for compatible roads. That is a real upgrade for families who road-trip to Wisconsin or Michigan, and it is offered on every 2026 Enclave trim.
- 30-inch diagonal display with Google built-in
- Available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance on compatible roads
- Standard Bose premium audio
- Eight-speed automatic with front-wheel drive or available AWD
- EPA-estimated 20 city / 25 highway mpg with FWD (20 / 24 with AWD)
Buick SUV Comparison Chart: All Four 2026 Models
| Feature | 2026 Buick Envista | 2026 Buick Encore GX | 2026 Buick Envision | 2026 Buick Enclave | Best Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (before destination) | $24,700 | $26,895 | $41,300 | $46,400 | Envista |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | Enclave |
| Engine and Output | 1.2L turbo, 137 hp | 1.2L or 1.3L turbo, up to 155 hp | 2.0L turbo, 228 hp | 2.5L turbo, 328 hp | Enclave |
| All-Wheel Drive | Not offered | Available on all trims | Standard | Available on all trims | Envision |
| EPA Highway MPG (best) | 32 | 31 | 28 | 25 | Envista |
| Cargo Behind Rear Seat | 20.7 cu. ft. | 23.5 cu. ft. | 25.2 cu. ft. | 23 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row) | Envision |
| Maximum Cargo | 42.0 cu. ft. | 50.2 cu. ft. | 52.7 cu. ft. | 97.5 cu. ft. | Enclave |
| Max Towing | Not rated | 1,000 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs | Enclave |
| Center Display | 11-inch touchscreen | 11-inch touchscreen | 30-inch diagonal | 30-inch diagonal | Envision and Enclave (tie) |
Which Buick SUVs Have AWD for Chicago Winters?
Compact Buicks: Envista and Encore GX
This is where the two small Buicks split. The Envista is front-wheel drive only, which handles plowed suburban roads well on good winter tires but gives up traction on unplowed side streets and icy driveways. The Encore GX offers AWD on all three trims for a modest upcharge, making it the most affordable way to put a Buick with all-wheel drive in your garage.
- Envista: front-wheel drive with StabiliTrak stability control and traction control
- Encore GX: available AWD on Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir
- Encore GX with AWD: EPA-estimated 26 city / 28 highway mpg
- Both come standard with Buick Driver Confidence features, including Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist
- Winter tires improve braking and cornering on any drivetrain
Larger Buicks: Envision and Enclave
Step up to the Envision and AWD comes standard on every trim, so there is nothing to add. The Enclave offers AWD on all three trims, and its 5,000-lb towing rating makes it the pick for drivers who pull a snowmobile or boat trailer. Shopping from the I-55 corridor? You can also browse Buick SUVs for sale near Wilmington, IL before you visit.
- Envision: standard all-wheel drive on Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir
- Envision: EPA-estimated 22 city / 28 highway mpg
- Enclave: available AWD on every trim
- Enclave with AWD: EPA-estimated 20 city / 24 highway mpg
- Enclave: up to 5,000 lbs of towing for trailers and toys
Which Buick SUV Is Best for You?
Match the SUV to the Way You Drive
There is no single best Buick SUV, only the best one for your budget, passengers and commute. Most solo commuters and couples are happiest in an Envista or Encore GX, small families who want standard AWD and the latest tech lean toward the Envision, and households with three kids or a trailer end up in an Enclave. Whether you live in Matteson or are looking for a Buick dealer near Orland Park, you can test-drive all four in a single visit.
Best Value: Envista
At $24,700 to start and up to 32 mpg on the highway, the Envista is the easiest Buick to buy and to fuel. Choose it if you commute on I-57 or I-80 every day, rarely need AWD and like a sleek, sporty shape.
Best Small SUV With AWD: Encore GX
The Encore GX pairs available all-wheel drive with the most cargo room of the two compact Buicks and a parking-friendly 171-inch length. Starting under $27,000, it is the smart pick for Chicago winters on a compact-SUV budget.
Best for Families: Enclave
Seven seats, up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space, 5,000 lbs of towing and available Super Cruise make the Enclave Buick’s most capable SUV. If the kids are growing or the camper is getting bigger, start your test drive here.
Buick SUV Lineup: Common Questions
Which Buick SUV is best?
The best Buick SUV depends on how you drive. The 2026 Envista is best for budget and fuel economy, starting at $24,700 with up to 32 mpg on the highway. The Encore GX is best if you want a small SUV with available all-wheel drive. The Envision suits buyers who want standard AWD and a 30-inch display, and the three-row Enclave is best for families, seating seven and towing up to 5,000 lbs.
What SUVs does Buick make in 2026?
Buick's 2026 lineup is all SUVs: the Envista, Encore GX, Envision and Enclave. The Envista and Encore GX are five-seat compact models, the Envision is a five-seat SUV with standard all-wheel drive, and the Enclave is a seven-passenger three-row SUV. Each model comes in Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir trims, with Avenir as the most luxurious version.
What is the difference between the Buick Envista and Encore GX?
The Envista is longer, lower and less expensive, starting at $24,700 with up to 32 mpg on the highway, but it is front-wheel drive only. The Encore GX is about 11 inches shorter but taller, holds more cargo (50.2 vs. 42 cubic feet) and offers all-wheel drive on every trim, starting at $26,895. Both seat five and use an 11-inch touchscreen.
Should I buy a Buick Enclave or an Encore GX?
Buy the Enclave if you regularly carry more than five people, need a third row or tow up to 5,000 lbs. Buy the Encore GX if you want an easy-to-park five-seater with available all-wheel drive and up to 31 mpg on the highway. The Encore GX starts about $19,500 lower ($26,895 vs. $46,400), so the choice comes down to space versus budget.
Which Buick SUVs have all-wheel drive?
Three of the four 2026 Buick SUVs offer all-wheel drive. AWD is standard on every Envision, available on every Encore GX trim and available on every Enclave trim. The Envista is the only Buick SUV sold with front-wheel drive only. For Chicago-area winters, the Encore GX is the most affordable way to get a Buick with AWD.
What is the cheapest Buick SUV?
The 2026 Buick Envista is the least expensive Buick, with a starting MSRP of $24,700 for the Preferred trim before destination charges. The Encore GX is next at $26,895, followed by the Envision at $41,300 and the Enclave at $46,400. These are November 2026 figures, and actual prices vary with trim, options, incentives and dealer inventory.
Test-Drive Every 2026 Buick SUV in Matteson
Drive the Envista, Encore GX, Envision and Enclave back to back in one afternoon at our Matteson showroom. As a fourth-generation, family-owned dealership with a union, GM-certified service center and a lifetime engine warranty on many vehicles, we make it easy to see why drivers buy from Arnie Bauer Buick GMC. Sales is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
708-843-9295