Let's tackle the elephant in the room, and it's no Hellephant. The GX is available in three trims, and only the base model is available with fwd. This "value leader" shares the smaller 3 cyl. 1.2t with the Trax and Envista, but although these two have a 6-speed auto, the GX fwd keeps the previous CVT. While the standard kit is nice, GM should kill off the base fwd model to reduce overlap with the sexier, roomier and cheaper Envista.
AWD models such as my tester come with the larger 1.3t engine, paired to a 9-speed automatic. A sign that costs are kept in check, you have to manually activate the awd with a button, and despite the addition of a rear diff, the rear suspension is still semi-independant and has a proclivity to twerk in bumpy corners.
The wee engine offers 155 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, and is very well paired to the 9-speed, making the Encore GX peppy in town. But, as with the 3 other members of this family, flat out acceleration is not its forte and passing manoeuvres have to be well-planned. Towing capacity is at 1,000 lbs, which is better than nothing, aka the typical towing capacity in this category.