Buick is the luxury subsidiary of GM with the 2020 Encore GX 5-door compact cross-over SUV setting out to compete against the BMW X1 or Lexus NX. Despite the luxury name and the finer finishing, the 2020 Buick Encore GX costs substantially less at only $26,098 for the starter Encore GX trim in front-wheel-drive. All-wheel drive can be added for an extra $2,000 to any of the three trim levels and the upgrade is also accompanied by a larger ECOTEC 1.3L four-cylinder engine rated at 155 horsepower.
Common to Buick’s SUV lineup, the Encore GX will also be offered with a generous set of tech features including a comprehensive 8” infotainment screen and advanced safety tech features standard across both the base Encore GX and higher SELECT and ESSENCE trims.
COZY INTERIOR
The compact dimensions of the 2020 Buick Encore GX make for a cozy but surprisingly roomy interior that seats 4 full-size passengers well. Being part of the Buick lineup, the Encore GX receives proper luxury treatment creating an overall lush and modern feel. Engineering is also emphasized to create a quieter cabin space with triple door seals and laminated glass to help shield exterior road noise utilizing Buick’s in-house QuietTuning technology. The 2020 Encore GX will also offer a panoramic power moonroof as an option on any trim level.
Although only 6-way power adjustable, the front seats use equal ratio of cloth and leather material that meets luxury standard. Extra cargo space is created with the 60/40 rear seats and the front seats can be completely folded down for added length to help accommodate awkward sized cargo.
An 8” infotainment system proficiently handles all media controls with seamless smartphone connectivity thanks to Android Auto and Apple Carplay support. An available MyBuick smartphone app will also connect to the 2020 Buick Encore to perform real-time diagnostics such as tire pressuring monitoring and will come with a 10-year free service that includes Dealership Maintenance Service. A paid Remote Access Plan will also add remote smartphone service capable of locking and unlocking the door or remote starting the engine through the MyBuick smartphone app.
EFFICIENT POWERTRAIN
Front wheel drive comes standard on the 2020 Encore GX, while upgrading to all-wheel drive will be available for all trim levels. The front wheel drive configuration is powered by the ECOTEC 1.2L turbo charged engine outputting 137hp, while the all-wheel drive configs get the larger ECOTEC 1.3L turbo charged engine making 155hp. The FWD powertrain is mated to a continuously variable transmission, while the AWD gets a 9-speed automatic transmission. The smaller engine allows the opportunity for the 2020 Encore GX to achieve a respectable fuel EPA rating of 7.7 L-100km on the highway and 9.0 L/100km in the city for the front-wheel drive and slightly less at 8.0 L/100km on the highway and 9.0 L/100km in the city for all-wheel drive.
The 2020 Buick Encore GX sits slightly higher than other compact SUVs in its class and this offers more suspension travel to soak up road bumps and chatter, but creates more susceptibility to body roll under hard corners due to its higher center of gravity. Still, the 2020 Encore GX remains well composed in highway and city driving and the power steering is smooth and accurate.
With just 155 horsepower to spare, the 1.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is capable of basic city driving duties but remains underpowered for certain conditions like highway merging and transporting a full load.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, the 2020 Buick Encore GX makes for an excellent choice in the luxury compact crossover class due to its plush ride and quiet-comfort cabin space, at an affordable starting price of $26,098 for the well appointed base trim.
