2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel): MPG and fuel economy
The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 30 combined MPG, with 30 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. That lands well below the average for cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class in the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel). Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain.
Key takeaways
- Returns 54% worse combined MPG than the average car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year (64.8 MPG class average).
- The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year is the Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) at 138 MPG.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel). The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
| City MPG | 30 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 31 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,000 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 297 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Gasoline or E85 |
How the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) compares
The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) returns 30 combined MPG. Cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year average 64.8 MPG, which puts this car behind the class average by about 54%.
The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year is the Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) at 138 MPG. The bar chart below puts the Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) alongside the class best and the class average so you can see the full picture.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2026 model year (across all classes) returns 45.5 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2026 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for E85, which is $2.63/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 500 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $1,000 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $2,000 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $3,333 |
Compare against other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD for 2026
If you are cross-shopping the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel), the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
The Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) leads this group at 138 MPG, 108 MPG ahead of the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel).
Specifications
The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) runs a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a automatic (variable gear ratios), sending power through front-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Engine
- 1.2L 3-cylinder turbocharged
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Gasoline or E85
- Annual petroleum use
- 9.9 barrels per year
- Start-stop system
- Yes
Common questions about the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel)
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel).
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Is the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) fuel efficient?
Not particularly. The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) returns 30 combined MPG, which trails the average car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year by about 54%. -
What MPG does the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) at 30 combined MPG, 30 MPG in city driving, and 31 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $2,000 for the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel). That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) use?
The EPA lists the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
How much CO₂ does the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 297 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 4,455 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel)?
City driving returns 30 MPG and highway driving returns 31 MPG, a gap of 1 MPG. The two figures are close enough that the car will hold its rated efficiency well across most driving patterns. -
What engine is in the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel)?
The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) has a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine (EPA description: SIDI; FFV). Smaller turbocharged engines like this one tend to deliver bigger-engine power on demand while keeping fuel economy closer to a non-turbo version of the same displacement. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) have?
The 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) comes with a automatic (variable gear ratios) transmission and front-wheel drive. -
How does the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) compare to the best car in its class?
The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year is the Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) at 138 combined MPG. The Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) returns 30 MPG, a gap of 108 MPG. If you are comparing on fuel economy alone, the class leader is worth a look. -
How much petroleum does the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) use per year?
The EPA estimates the 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD (Flex Fuel) consumes about 9.9 barrels of petroleum per year, based on the standard 15,000 miles of driving. A barrel is 42 U.S. gallons of crude oil, which is refined into gasoline plus other products.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.