The minivan segment is gaining popularity in the United States again after years of many people seeing them as boring family haulers. Some of that growth seems to come from buyers looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous SUVs on the road. Even today, there are few minivans that are truly exciting to drive.
But a new Buick model coming to China might change that, because it packs up to 713 horsepower. If only it could come to the US with GNX badges.
Buick’s High-Powered Minivan Looks Mean In Black
2027 buick electra encasa phevChina Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Buick premiered the Electra Encasa minivan earlier in 2026. It launched with several variants, including EV and PHEV powertrains. At launch, the top plug-in hybrid made 620 horsepower and 572 pound-feet of torque and could hit 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. It could also cover 820 miles before needing to fill up and recharge.
A filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reveals that Buick is preparing to launch an even more powerful hybrid version of the Encasa. It would use a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear axle, providing a total output of roughly 713 hp.
There are no performance specs for the new model yet, but the extra power should shave a few tenths of a second off the zero to 60 mph sprint. In addition, no battery details are available, so the minivan’s range is still unknown.
To put the range-topping Encasa’s output into perspective, 713 hp would place it in the upper echelon of powerful production cars available today. In terms of minivans, it really has no rival. Notable minivans with more horsepower are one-off, track-only builds such as the Renault Espace F1 from the 1990s, packing a contemporary V10 Formula One engine, and the 1,400-hp Ford Supervan.
If the Encasa were available in the US, it would be the brand’s most powerful model ever available in the country. Even the legendary GNX had an official rating of 276 hp, though most agree that the company underrated the output. Even during the height of the classic muscle car era, Buick models never topped 400 hp.
At the other end of the performance spectrum, Buick is also introducing a new entry-level Encasa. It’s front-wheel drive with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder.
What Else Makes The Encasa Special?
Buick EncasaBuick
Buick is also making a small styling tweak to the Encasa. China is banning electronically controlled, flush-mounted door handles due to safety concerns with the tech. The revised minivan’s flanks gain cutouts below the grips so that they’re always accessible. The Encasa also offers gesture-operated doors, so folks don’t even have to touch them to get in.
The new base and range-topping versions are supposed to launch in China for the 2027 model year. Don’t expect any of them to come to the US because this country bans Chinese-made imported vehicles. No pricing is available for the new models, but the cost of the existing versions provides a rough estimate of what to expect. The two current trims start at roughly $65,550 (RMB 439,900) and $70,000 (RMB 469,900).
Buick EncasaBuick
Buick said its inspiration behind styling the Encasa was to build a “Land Gulfstream,” referring to the luxurious private jet. The vehicle is also plane-like in the way it cuts through the air with a drag coefficient of just 0.258 Cd. An air suspension is available that can lower the ride height by 2.4 inches, creating the lowest entry height of any vehicle in its class in China.
While the exterior doesn’t break any new ground in minivan aesthetics, buyers can get a luxurious interior. The cabin includes a mix of Nappa leather, an ultra-suede headliner, and Australian wool carpet. The second row is available with multi-posture zero-gravity seats that automatically adjust based on the position of the first- and third-row seats. They can also recline into a chaise lounge with an eight-mode, 10-point massage function with heating. The third row has a power-sliding feature.
Buick EncasaBuick
Depending on the interior configuration, the Encasa can offer between 22.3 cubic feet (630 liters) and 72.6 cubic feet (2,056 liters) of cargo capacity. For comparison, a Toyota Sienna has 33.5 cubic feet to 101.0 cubic feet depending on how owners configure the rows.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
A 713-hp minivan is absurdly wonderful. Clearly, no one needs this much power in a minivan, given that most fulfill their job with 200 hp or less. However, when carrying a van full of passengers and cargo, the power would be welcome for passing traffic on the highway.
Buick builds numerous vehicles in China for that market. But the Envision, which is sold in the US, also comes from China.
Source: GM Authority, GM China
