Planning a weekend at the cottage, towing a small utility trailer to the dump, or hauling a pair of watercraft up to Lake Simcoe? Before you sign the paperwork on a new Buick SUV, the towing question has a real answer — and for Ontario drivers, that answer is very different depending on which model you choose.
The 2026 Buick lineup at Applewood Chevrolet Buick GMC covers four SUVs: the subcompact Envista, the small SUV Encore GX, the premium compact Envision, and the three-row flagship Enclave. Each has a different tow rating, and this guide walks through which is which, why, and how to match the right Buick to what you actually plan to pull.
The short version: three of the four 2026 Buick SUVs are rated for some towing, but only the Enclave is a genuine tow vehicle for typical weekend-getaway loads. The Encore GX and Envision are rated for light trailering only — enough for a small utility trailer or a single watercraft. The Envista is not rated for towing and is not designed to tow a trailer.
|
Model |
Vehicle Type |
Maximum Towing Capacity |
Tow-Ready? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2026 Buick Envista |
Crossover SUV |
Not rated for towing |
No |
|
2026 Buick Encore GX |
Small SUV |
454 kg (1,000 lbs) |
Light only |
|
2026 Buick Envision |
Premium Compact SUV |
680 kg (1,500 lbs) |
Light only |
|
2026 Buick Enclave (with V92 Trailer Towing Package) |
3-Row Premium SUV |
2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
Yes |
|
2026 Buick Enclave (without V92) |
3-Row Premium SUV |
680 kg (1,500 lbs) |
Light only |
The 2026 Envista is a front-wheel-drive crossover with a 1.2 litre turbo 3-cylinder engine producing 136 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is tuned for fuel-efficient city and suburban driving, seating up to 5 passengers with 1,189 litres of maximum cargo capacity behind the first row.
The Envista is not rated for towing and is not designed or intended to pull a trailer. If towing matters to you at all, the Envista is the wrong match. It is, however, a strong choice for drivers who want Buick styling, a standard 11-inch diagonal infotainment screen, and a quiet cabin for daily commutes into downtown Toronto from Mississauga.
The 2026 Encore GX is Buick's small SUV, available in FWD or AWD configurations with either a 1.2 litre turbo 3-cylinder (Preferred FWD only) or the 1.3 litre turbo 3-cylinder that produces 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. It offers up to 1,422 litres of maximum cargo capacity behind the first row and seats up to 5 passengers.
Maximum towing capacity is 454 kg (1,000 lbs) across all powertrain configurations — the 1.2 litre CVT FWD, the 1.3 litre CVT FWD, and the 1.3 litre 9-speed automatic AWD all share the same rating. That covers a very light aluminum utility trailer, a single jet ski on a lightweight carrier, or a small cargo trailer. For anything heavier, the Encore GX is not the right vehicle to choose — the Enclave is where tow duty starts in the Buick lineup.
The 2026 Envision is Buick's premium compact SUV, with a 2.0 litre turbo 4-cylinder producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and standard All-Wheel Drive across the Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir trims. Maximum cargo capacity is 1,493 litres behind the first row, and seating capacity is up to 5 passengers.
Maximum towing capacity is 680 kg (1,500 lbs) on models with the 2.0 litre gas engine. That is enough for a small aluminum utility trailer or a single personal watercraft on a light carrier — useful, but well short of a camper or a loaded boat rig. If towing capacity is a core purchase driver, the Envision should be a stepping stone to the Enclave rather than a final choice.
This is where real Buick towing starts. The Enclave is Buick's flagship three-row SUV, with a standard 2.5 litre turbo 4-cylinder engine producing 328 hp mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-Wheel Drive is available on every trim — Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir — and the Enclave seats up to 7 passengers with 2,761 litres of cargo capacity behind the first row (with second and third rows folded).
Tow capacity depends on how the Enclave is equipped. With the V92 Trailer Towing Package, both FWD and AWD Enclave models tow up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs). Without the V92 package, maximum towing capacity drops to 680 kg (1,500 lbs) — the same as the Envision. The V92 package is the difference between "we can pull a camper" and "we can pull a camper barely." If you plan to tow anything meaningful, the V92 package is the box you need checked.
|
Trailer Type |
Typical Loaded Weight |
Enclave (with V92) |
|---|---|---|
|
Small aluminum utility trailer |
450–900 kg (1,000–2,000 lbs) |
Yes |
|
Double personal watercraft trailer |
900–1,360 kg (2,000–3,000 lbs) |
Yes |
|
Small travel trailer or teardrop camper |
900–1,810 kg (2,000–4,000 lbs) |
Yes, with margin |
|
Mid-size pop-up or hybrid camper |
1,360–2,270 kg (3,000–5,000 lbs) |
Yes, at the ceiling |
|
Large travel trailer or fifth wheel |
2,720 kg+ (6,000 lbs+) |
No — step up to a truck |
Always check tongue weight and loaded trailer weight against the Enclave's ratings. Passenger and cargo weight also count toward total allowable load.
Use this quick logic to narrow it down:
If your weekend plans include a camper, a loaded boat trailer, or a double PWC rig, the Enclave with V92 is the model to build. If your trailer is small and occasional, the Encore GX or Envision will handle it. If there is no trailer at all, the whole lineup opens up and you can focus on what actually matters for your daily drive.
Trailer weights, hitch classes, and tongue limits can get confusing fast — and the worst time to figure it out is the day before a long weekend. The team at Applewood Chevrolet Buick GMC in Mississauga can walk you through your specific trailer, your planned routes, and whether the Enclave needs the V92 Trailer Towing Package for how you actually tow. Stop in for a test drive, bring your trailer specs, and we will put the right 2026 Buick in your driveway.
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