Which roof rack is best for a Buick Encore GX?

Question

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Buick Encore GX, and while I absolutely love how it drives, I’m quickly realizing that the trunk space is a bit tight for my weekend adventures. I’m planning a few camping trips this summer and really need to find a reliable roof rack to haul my gear and maybe a couple of mountain bikes.

My GX has the flush side rails already installed, but I’m torn between going with the official Buick accessory crossbars or looking at aftermarket brands like Thule or Yakima. I’m particularly concerned about wind noise—the cabin is so quiet right now, and I’d hate to add a loud whistling sound whenever I’m on the highway. I also want something that is relatively easy to install and remove, as I might not want to leave the bars on all year round.

Has anyone here installed a specific rack system on their Encore GX? I’d love to know if you went with the aero-style bars or something more basic, and if you noticed a big hit to your fuel economy. Which roof rack would you recommend for the best balance of durability, quietness, and price?

mujhwwqpvi · Accepted Answer

sooo i totally get where youre coming from with the trunk space lol. i mean the gx is great but its tiny! so basically i tried to save some money at first with a cheap set from amazon and honestly... it was a disaster. they whistled sooo loud it drove me crazy on the highway. plus i was super worried about them scratching my flush rails cuz the fit wasnt perfect. i ended up taking them off after like two days because i didnt trust the safety.

for your situation i really recommend playing it safe and going with the Buick Encore GX Roof Rack Cross Rails. i finally caved and got the official ones and i guess they're just better made for the car? they are way quieter than the cheap ones i had before. if you want something even more premium tho, maybe check out the Thule WingBar Edge for flush rails. i've heard they're like the gold standard for silence, but they're highkey expensive.

Anyway, just be careful with the install and maybe have a pro look at it if youre not sure... safety first right? gl!

nijhgqzmks · Answer

Seconding the recommendation above! Definitely skip the cheap Amazon stuff because safety is everything when you're hauling bikes. I've been using the Brightlines Buick Encore GX Crossbars and honestly, I'm super happy with them. They're basically a budget-friendly alternative to the OEM bars but they actually meet the weight specs you need.

So basically, here's why safety matters:
* Load capacity: Always check the dynamic weight limit.
* Security: Ensure the locks actually work to prevent theft.
* Fitment: Make sure they bolt into the flush rails perfectly.

I got mine for around $120 and they're quiet enough that I don't even notice them. Plus, they're super easy to pop off when I'm not camping. Just be sure to double-check the torque on the bolts every few trips just to be safe! 👍

joyrnmsmyl · Answer

Honestly, if you want to avoid that whistling sound without dropping $600 on Thule or Yakima, check out Malone. Over the years, I've tested quite a few setups on flush rails, and the T-slot aero bars are really the only way to go if you care about keeping the cabin quiet. The Malone AirFlow2 Universal Roof Rack Cross Bars 50 inch are a solid choice and way cheaper than the big name brands. Specs you should look at:

165 lbs load capacity (dont go over the roof limit tho)

Double wall aluminum for durability

Integrated locks included at no extra cost Installation is pretty fast, usually takes me about 20 minutes to get them centered and locked down. You'll likely see a small hit to your MPG, maybe 1 or 2 miles per gallon, but thats just physics. Tbh, these offer the best data-backed performance for the price if you're trying to keep things budget-friendly.