Is China’s Buick Encore Coming To The U.S. To Replace The Aging Small Crossover?

General Motors has been offering the Buick Encore, which is based on the original Opel Mokka, in the States since 2013, but a replacement is supposedly underway for the U.S. market. A second-generation was launched, alongside the Encore GX, at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It will allegedly launch later this year as a 2022 model and is expected to be offered alongside the current Encore GX. According to GMAuthority, the 2022 Encore will pack a new 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that will replace the i4 LUV powering its predecessor. Both front- and all-wheel drive versions of the subcompact crossover are expected to launch, albeit probably in a single trim level, as Buick will reportedly drop the base spec. The all-new Encore should still be positioned under the Encore GX, but in order for this to happen, GM would need to adjust the prices, because the 2021 Encore Preferred FWD starts at $25,595 with no options, while the GX can be ordered from $24,200. As for the base 2021 Encore, it has an MSRP of $23,200. Thus, we're curious if Buick will make the upcoming 2022 Encore more affordable than its predecessor, or if they will bump the cost of the bigger and more premium offering instead. Still, you'd better take this with the proverbial pinch of salt, as nothing has been confirmed yet.