A Glimpse into the Modern Era: A Review of the Buick Excelle GX
In the ever-evolving narrative of the Buick Excelle, the Excelle GX represents a pivotal chapter. Launched in 2017, the GX was not a continuation of the first or second-generation Excelle but an entirely new vehicle designed to meet the demands of a more discerning and digitally connected market. While the name links it to its storied past, the Excelle GX was a bold step forward, embracing a new design language, modern technology, and a commitment to fuel efficiency. This review dives into what made the Excelle GX stand out and how it marked a new direction for the iconic nameplate.
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| A Glimpse into the Modern Era: A Review of the Buick Excelle GX |
A New Philosophy: Design and Platform
Unlike its predecessors, which were rebadged Daewoo or GM global models, the Excelle GX was a product of Buick's contemporary design philosophy, aligning more closely with models like the Buick GL8 minivan. The GX was a station wagon, or "Touring" model as it was often marketed, a significant departure from the sedan and hatchback body styles of the previous Excelles. This design choice gave it a unique position in the market, offering the practicality of a wagon with the style of a modern crossover.
Visually, the Excelle GX was sleek and sophisticated. Its design was clean and uncluttered, with a long, flowing roofline and a pronounced shoulder line that gave it a sense of purpose and elegance. The front end featured Buick's winged grille, a modern interpretation of the classic waterfall design, with stylish LED daytime running lights. The interior was a major highlight. It was spacious, well-organized, and featured a clean, horizontal dashboard layout. Materials were a mix of soft-touch plastics and glossy trim, and the overall fit and finish were a noticeable step up. The most compelling aspect of the design was its practicality. The wagon body style provided an impressive amount of cargo space, making it a highly versatile family vehicle.
Efficiency and Performance: A Focus on the Future
Under the hood, the Excelle GX marked a shift away from traditional naturally aspirated engines towards a more efficient and modern powertrain. It was primarily offered with a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, a trend seen across the automotive industry to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. While a three-cylinder engine might sound small, the turbocharger provided a surprising amount of torque, making the car feel nimble and responsive in city traffic. This engine was typically paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which provided smooth and efficient gear changes.
For those who preferred a more traditional setup, some versions also offered a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Both powertrains were designed with fuel efficiency as a top priority. The Excelle GX was never a performance-oriented vehicle; its focus was on providing a comfortable, economical, and reliable ride for daily commutes and family trips. The suspension was tuned for a plush and quiet ride, effortlessly absorbing bumps and road imperfections, which was a hallmark of Buick's "QuietTuning" philosophy.
Technology and Safety: A Modernized Experience
The Excelle GX was a major leap forward in terms of technology and safety. The dashboard was dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system that supported Apple CarPlay and Baidu CarLife, making it highly appealing to the tech-savvy consumer. This was a stark contrast to the basic systems of the first-generation Excelle and a significant upgrade from the second-generation's setup.
Safety features were also comprehensive for its class. The Excelle GX came standard with a robust list of active and passive safety systems, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TCS), and multiple airbags. Higher trim levels offered advanced driver-assistance features like a tire pressure monitoring system and parking sensors, all of which contributed to a safer and more confident driving experience.
The Final Word: A New Direction for a Familiar Name
The Buick Excelle GX was a car that shed its old skin and embraced a new identity. It moved away from its utilitarian roots to become a modern, stylish, and highly practical vehicle. By adopting a wagon body style and an efficient turbocharged engine, it carved out a unique space in a market dominated by sedans and SUVs.
While it may not have achieved the sheer sales volume of its predecessors, the Excelle GX was a critically important vehicle for Buick. It demonstrated the brand's ability to innovate and adapt to changing consumer preferences. It was a comfortable, safe, and technologically advanced car that proved the Excelle name could continue to stand for value, practicality, and style, but in a completely new and exciting way. The Excelle GX was more than just a car; it was a clear signal of Buick's future direction in the compact car segment.
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