Small SUV Choices
2027 Encore GX vs Trailblazer/Envista Hot Springs
Three small SUVs with different body styles, equipment and buyer priorities.
The 2027 Buick Encore GX, 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2026 Buick Envista give Hot Springs shoppers three ways into a small SUV. Encore GX combines Buick comfort with available AWD, Trailblazer adds ACTIV and RS choices with flexible cargo arrangements, and Envista combines a coupe-like shape with a front-drive automatic powertrain.
Key Numbers
- 2027 Encore GX: 155-hp turbo and available AWD.
- 2026 Trailblazer: standard fold-flat front passenger seat, with an 8.5-foot maximum cargo length.
- 2026 Envista: 137-hp turbo, a 6-speed automatic and a coupe-like profile.
The Encore GX includes Buick's 3 years / 36,000 miles basic limited warranty for specified defects, whichever comes first. Its powertrain coverage runs for 5 years / 60,000 miles on that basis.
Quick Take: Three Small SUVs for Different Buyers
Encore GX fits the buyer who wants a compact Buick body, QuietTuning and an AWD choice. Trailblazer suits a household drawn to ACTIV or RS styling and a fold-flat front passenger seat for long items. Envista fits a driver who wants a flowing roofline, everyday smartphone connectivity and an accessible Buick starting price. Allen Tillery sells all three through its Buick GMC and Chevrolet stores.
The 2027 Encore GX uses the standard 1.3L turbo, while the 2026 Trailblazer offers two engine choices and the 2026 Envista uses a 1.2L turbo. Arkadelphia and Hope buyers can shop the Buick models on this site and the Chevrolet on Allen Tillery Chevrolet's website. The Encore GX guide connects the dedicated Buick research pages.
2027 Buick Encore GX Overview
Encore GX has a standard 1.3L turbo engine rated at 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir give buyers three distinct interior and exterior treatments. A FWD Encore GX has a CVT. Its available AWD version has a 9-speed automatic. The body is 171.16 inches long, and maximum cargo volume is 50.2 cu ft.
Preferred has cloth with leatherette seating. Sport Touring combines black exterior details with leatherette and a flat-bottom steering wheel. Avenir adds leather-appointed seats and heated comfort. Avenir buyers can add a technology package that combines cruise-control assistance with nearby camera views and phone charging. Encore GX daily use and trim equipment expand those choices.
2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer Overview
Trailblazer offers LS, LT, ACTIV and RS trims. Its standard fold-flat front passenger seat supports a maximum cargo length of 8.5 feet when arranged for long items. The cabin seats five, and an 11-inch diagonal touchscreen provides a broad interface for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
ACTIV combines a 1.3L turbo engine with off-road suspension tuning and a functional skid plate. RS gives the vehicle a sport-focused appearance. Buyers also have an available AWD system. That range suits a household choosing a cabin and exterior character around outdoor equipment, weekday errands or a sportier-looking commuter.
2026 Buick Envista Overview
Envista pairs a coupe-like roofline with a 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder rated at 137 hp. Its front-wheel-drive layout uses a 6-speed automatic. Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir provide a familiar Buick set of appearance and comfort choices, while the standard 11-inch screen supports wireless phone projection.
Five-passenger seating and a maximum 42.0 cu ft of cargo space give the Envista an everyday crossover role. Its shape appeals to a buyer who enjoys a lower, flowing exterior profile. A household commuting from Bryant can choose the style it prefers while retaining automatic shifting and compatible smartphone functions.
Powertrain Comparison
| Vehicle and model year | Engine choices | Drivetrain character |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Encore GX | 1.3L turbo; 155 hp and 174 lb-ft | FWD CVT; available AWD with 9-speed automatic |
| 2026 Trailblazer | 1.2L turbo; available 1.3L turbo | Front-wheel drive; AWD available |
| 2026 Envista | 1.2L turbo; 137 hp | Front-wheel drive and 6-speed automatic |
The Encore GX makes engine output consistent across all three trims. Trailblazer offers an engine choice, with the available 1.3L producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft. Envista combines its turbo engine with a geared automatic in a front-drive vehicle. Those are different powertrain combinations for shoppers with different preferences.
For Encore GX specifically, the EPA combined ratings are 30 mpg FWD and 27 mpg AWD. EPA FWD rating and EPA AWD rating. This comparison does not mix those ratings with another vehicle's test configuration. The Encore GX specification tables retain the full city, highway and combined figures.
Interior and Technology Comparison
| Buyer priority | Encore GX | Trailblazer | Envista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin character | Buick QuietTuning; Avenir comfort trim | ACTIV and RS alternatives | Buick cabin with a coupe-like exterior |
| Phone integration | Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Main screen | 11-inch diagonal | 11-inch diagonal | 11-inch diagonal |
| Passenger arrangement | Five seats; folding rear bench | Five seats; fold-flat front passenger seat | Five seats; folding rear seating |
| Cargo use | Up to 50.2 cu ft maximum | Long-item arrangement up to 8.5 feet | Up to 42.0 cu ft maximum |
Shared screen sizes do not make the cabins interchangeable. Avenir's leather seating and heated controls create a comfort-focused Encore GX. Trailblazer's fold-flat front passenger seat provides a specific long-item arrangement. Envista's exterior profile and front-drive automatic suit a different style preference. Each combines useful passenger space with its own shape and equipment choices.
Pricing and Value
| Vehicle | Starting MSRP | What the starting vehicle emphasizes |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Encore GX Preferred FWD | $26,900 | Buick cabin, 1.3L turbo and the standard touchscreen |
| 2026 Trailblazer LS | $23,600 | Small-SUV flexibility and a standard folding front passenger seat |
| 2026 Envista Preferred | $24,700 | Buick style, front-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic |
MSRP excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.
The Encore GX starting vehicle is Preferred FWD, the Trailblazer starting trim is LS and the Envista starting trim is Preferred. Destination and optional equipment are additional. An Encore GX Avenir or a Trailblazer ACTIV buys a different equipment combination from the starting vehicle. The relevant purchase is the model and trim that gives the household the seating, styling and drivetrain it wants.
Where Each SUV Wins a Place in the Household
| Driver or use | A fitting vehicle | The useful match |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Buick with traction choice | Encore GX | QuietTuning, available AWD and three cabin finishes |
| Outdoor gear and long objects | Trailblazer | Standard fold-flat front passenger seat; ACTIV equipment choice |
| Style-focused paved-road commuting | Envista | Coupe-like profile, front-drive 6-speed automatic and Buick trim choices |
| Heated leather comfort in a small SUV | Encore GX Avenir | Standard leather-appointed seats and heated front seats |
| Sport-focused exterior details | Trailblazer RS, Encore GX ST or Envista ST | Different brand and body styling for the desired appearance |
Lake Catherine outings and drives through Hot Springs Village can involve different priorities even within the same family. A driver carrying long recreational equipment has a different cabin need from one choosing heated seating for the daily commute. The vehicle's shape, drivetrain and equipment connect those needs to three useful small-SUV choices.
Which Small SUV Fits Your Driving?
Encore GX suits a buyer who wants Buick comfort in a compact SUV and wants the option of AWD. Trailblazer suits a buyer who wants Chevrolet's ACTIV or RS personality and a long-item folding-seat arrangement. Envista suits a buyer who likes a coupe-like crossover profile and a front-wheel-drive geared automatic. None of those preferences requires the buyer to value the same thing most.
Malvern and Benton shoppers can begin with Encore GX inventory, Buick Envista inventory or Allen Tillery Chevrolet Trailblazer inventory. The Buick GMC store also provides financing and trade appraisals.
Test Drive the Encore GX at Allen Tillery
Visit Allen Tillery Auto Buick GMC at 4573 Central Ave or request an Encore GX test drive. Ownership and service information connects the drivetrain choice with routine maintenance. Buying questions cover practical steps through the dealership.
Encore GX, Trailblazer and Envista FAQs
Which buyers might choose Encore GX over the other small SUVs?
Encore GX fits buyers who want a compact Buick SUV with available AWD and several cabin finishes. QuietTuning, the 1.3L turbo engine and the Avenir comfort choice define its appeal. Trailblazer and Envista offer different styling and equipment combinations, giving the household additional ways to match its daily driving.
What makes Trailblazer useful for long recreational equipment?
The 2026 Trailblazer has a standard fold-flat front passenger seat that supports a maximum cargo length of 8.5 feet. Its rear seating and front passenger arrangement provide flexibility for longer items. ACTIV adds off-road suspension tuning and a functional skid plate for buyers who want that equipment combination.
Why might a commuter choose Buick Envista?
The 2026 Envista suits a commuter who likes a coupe-like profile and a front-wheel-drive automatic. Its 1.2L turbo engine pairs with a 6-speed transmission, while a standard 11-inch screen supports wireless phone projection. Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir offer several appearance and cabin-finish choices.
Which of these models provides an AWD choice?
The 2027 Encore GX and 2026 Trailblazer offer AWD. The 2026 Envista uses front-wheel drive with a 6-speed automatic. That gives buyers both drivetrain and body-style alternatives: Encore GX combines AWD availability with Buick cabin features, while Trailblazer brings its own ACTIV and RS choices.
Do all three SUVs offer wireless smartphone projection?
Yes. The models compared here offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility through an 11-inch diagonal touchscreen. Compatible phone functions support music, calls and navigation. Each vehicle then adds its own cabin materials, controls and available equipment, so shared phone features accompany different interior and exterior choices.
Is the Chevrolet inventory on the Buick GMC website?
Allen Tillery Chevrolet inventory is on allentillerychevy.com, while Encore GX and Envista inventory is on allentilleryauto.com. The comparison links each model to the appropriate store website. Allen Tillery sells the three models, and each brand's inventory stays with the dealership site that handles that vehicle selection.
Are the starting prices shown for matching model years?
The comparison identifies a 2027 Encore GX and 2026 Trailblazer and Envista. Each starting MSRP is labeled with its own model and base trim, before destination and other listed charges. That keeps the exact vehicle being described clear while allowing buyers to consider the available Allen Tillery model choices.
Can Avenir comfort and Trailblazer ACTIV appeal to different households?
Yes. Encore GX Avenir emphasizes leather-appointed seats and heated comfort, while Trailblazer ACTIV includes off-road suspension tuning and a functional skid plate. One buyer may prioritize the cabin feel, another the ACTIV equipment and long-item cargo arrangement. Those are different purposes rather than a single ranking of the vehicles.
Explore the Encore GX
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May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.