The 2020 Buick Encore GX is the latest subcompact crossover from Buick, although in the event you have been to get it confused with its smaller sibling, the Encore, you wouldn’t be alone. Regardless of being a completely new automobile, the Encore GX does share some design cues (and title) with Buick’s smallest crossover. That’s to not say the Encore GX is the lone automobile derived from GM’s VSS-F platform. Slightly, it shares this lineage with its cousin, the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Outdoors, the Encore GX is enticing, fashionable and proportional, although its sibling’s genetics can clearly be acknowledged. It’s as if the Encore hit the fitness center and bought a brand new haircut, ensuing within the extra buff and refined Encore GX. What’s much more outstanding is that it appears much less like a Buick than any Buick ever earlier than. It’s a good-looking crossover that’s positive to show heads and dispel any outdated misconceptions that Buick is a producer for the early chicken crowd.
The Buick Encore GX.
Buick
Inside, the Encore GX has ample room for full-grown people, with loads of headroom even with the out there sunroof. The cabin expertise is a little bit of a combined bag, although, with high-quality supplies within the entrance and lower-quality low-cost plastic within the rear. That’s to not say the upper trim ranges aren’t enticing — the Essence trim options leather-covered seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
What’s new for 2020?
The Buick Encore GX is a completely new mannequin, sized between the compact Encore and midsize Envision. See the 2020 Buick Encore GX fashions on the market close to you
What we like
- Larger than the smaller however similarly-named Encore
- Tons of security tech
- All-wheel drive mannequin has a 9-speed automated transmission
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come commonplace
What we don’t
- Small 3-cylinder engines
- CVT transmission on front-wheel drive fashions
- Complicated mannequin title (there’s already a Buick Encore)
How a lot?
$24,100 – $35,000
Gasoline financial system
In Environmental Safety Company gas financial system, the brand new Buick Encore GX has an edge over the usual Encore. The front-drive 2020 Encore GX, outfitted with the 137-horsepower 1.2-liter, is rated at 26 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 30 mpg on the freeway and 28 mpg mixed. Considerably surprisingly, the front-drive Encore GX with the 155-hp 1.3-liter does even higher, with EPA figures of 30 mpg metropolis/32 mpg hwy/31 mpg mixed.
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The AWD 1.3-liter Buick Encore GX achieves 26 mpg metropolis/29 mpg freeway/28 mpg mixed. One factor to notice: the AWD Encore GX features a disable change that permits the motive force to modify to fuel-saving FWD mode when situations enable.
Commonplace options and choices
The 2020 Buick Encore GX is available in three trim ranges: Most popular, Choose and Essence.
The GX Most popular begins at $24,100 plus vacation spot payment of $995 and consists of the 1.2-liter engine with FWD in addition to a normal security suite that features automated emergency braking, pedestrian braking and lane-keeping help. As well as, the Most popular additionally consists of push-button ignition, an 8-in touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot and 18-in alloy wheels.
The GX Choose ($25,700) provides heated entrance seats, dual-zone local weather management and a security bundle that features a blind spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert and rear park help.
The GX Essence ($28,500) provides leather-covered seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an in-vehicle air ionizer.
Non-obligatory on all three trim ranges is the 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine in addition to AWD, a Sport Touring bundle and a black-painted roof.
Different choices on the entry-level Encore GX Most popular mannequin embody a panoramic moonroof, a hands-free energy raise gate, heated entrance seats, rear cross-traffic alert and a blind spot monitoring system.
The Encore GX Choose trim permits for an non-obligatory navigation system together with a head-up show (HUD), a rear digicam mirror and Market, an app that lets you buy gas or make reservations at collaborating areas.
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There are barely much less out there choices on the top-of-the-line Encore GX Essence trim, however they embody a 7-speaker Bose audio system, wi-fi smartphone charging and a parking-assist program.
Security
Commonplace on all trim ranges of the Encore GX is a set of six security and driver help options. This suite consists of forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, entrance pedestrian braking, lane-keeping help with lane-departure warning, following distance indicator and IntelliBeam headlamps with automatically-adjusting excessive/low beams.
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Out there security options embody rear park help, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert with facet blind zone alert, a rear digicam mirror, adaptive cruise management and head-up show, automated parking help and a high-definition encompass imaginative and prescient digicam system.
Behind the wheel
Buick’s new Encore GX is somewhat larger than the non-GX Encore and that makes it an ideal match for on a regular basis life. The Encore GX has the choice of a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine. Get it. The choice provides $395 to the value and makes the Encore GX enjoyable.
It’s a 3-cylinder engine with 155 hp. That doesn’t sound like a lot however the Encore GX is definitely enjoyable and actually feels fast. Mixed with the 9-speed automated transmission, there’s all the time loads of energy.
It’s good for darting round city, operating errands. Dealing with is respectable, too. It’s no sports activities automotive however the subcompact Encore GX handles curves with out a lot leaning. That, mixed with fast steering, provides as much as a automotive that’s rewarding to drive.
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It feels managed and communicates a secure, assured really feel general. The inside can be properly executed within the Essence trim. The Essence model of the Encore GX begins at $29,000 so a sexy inside is predicted. Nonetheless, this Buick appears to be like and feels somewhat nicer inside than small SUVs just like the Honda HR-V or Kia Seltos however the Encore GX isn’t fairly on par with the Acura RDX.
Different vehicles to contemplate
2020 Mazda CX-30 — Mazda’s
US:MZDAY
latest subcompact has an ungainly naming conference as nicely, however then once more, what’s in a reputation? It doesn’t matter what you name it, the CX-30 is such an unimaginable worth that it was named to Autotrader’s Finest Automobiles For 2020.
2020 Honda HR-V — Honda’s
US:HMC
“cute ute” brings a ton of versatility in a tiny bundle in addition to the producer’s storied reliability.
2020 Kia Seltos — Kia’s fashionable new entry to the subcompact crossover class gives a selection between two completely different 4-cylinder engines and out there AWD.
2020 Audi Q3 — Audi’s good-looking subcompact makes a classy assertion — for an enhanced ticket worth, in fact.
2020 BMW X2 — BMW’s sporty subcompact sacrifices practicality for efficiency at a premium, however in the event you’re in search of fashion and pace, the X2 is price your consideration.
Questions chances are you’ll ask
What’s the distinction between the Buick Encore and the brand new Buick Encore GX?
The Buick Encore GX is a very new automobile and is bigger than the smaller Buick Encore.
The place is the 2021 Buick Encore GX made?
The Buick Encore GX is constructed at a GM meeting plant in South Korea, the identical as its Buick Encore sibling.
What’s the scale distinction between the usual Buick Encore and the brand new Buick Encore GX?
The Buick Encore GX is a 171.4-in automobile with a 102.2-in wheelbase. The Buick Encore is barely smaller: it’s a 168.4-in automobile with a 100.6-in wheelbase. Behind the rear seat, the Encore has 18.Eight cu ft. of cargo house versus the brand new Encore GX’s 23.5.
Autotrader’s recommendation
The Buick Encore GX enters a particularly aggressive phase however ought to put forth a robust exhibiting given the present power of the Encore. The Essence trim has probably the most fascinating options however the decrease trim ranges current the best worth given the host of normal security tech on the tiny Buick. In case you’re OK with forgoing the leather-based, the facilities on the Choose trim degree supply probably the most bang to your buck.
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This story initially ran on Autotrader.com.
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