2020 Buick Encore GX review

1. Surprisingly spacious cabin 

It may only be a subcompact SUV, but there’s absolutely nothing compact about the 2020 Buick Encore GX’s interior. Take one look inside the roomy cabin, and you’ll be convinced that it’s bigger on the inside. There’s seating for up to five passengers, and even with a full house, everyone has plenty of room to stretch out – front-seat occupants get 40.9 inches of legroom, while rear-seat occupants have 36 inches of legroom.  

2. Generous cargo space throughout 

In standard configuration, there’s an impressive 23.5 cu-ft of cargo volume on offer in the trunk – plenty enough to handle everyone’s luggage for a road trip or family holiday. Of course, if you need more space for bulky and awkwardly shaped items, the rear seats fold completely flat to expand total cargo volume to 50.2 cu-ft. Add in an optional hands-free liftgate for added convenience when loading and unloading, and you have a very useful and practical package for day-to-day use.  

3. Stout and frugal engine choices 

Both available engine choices for the 2020 Encore GX are small in size but pack a big punch. The standard engine for front-wheel-drive models is a 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder, good for 137 horsepower. It’s ideally suited for zipping around town as it achieves an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined.

A 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder engine is standard on all-wheel-drive models and optional on front-wheel-drive Select and Essence trims. Power output is boosted to 155 horsepower, with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined on front-wheel-drive models means even fewer trips to the pumps.

4. Stacked feature list top to bottom 

The 2020 Encore GX boasts a plentiful feature list across three separate trim levels, with a significant amount of equipment available as standard. Base-level Preferred models get an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display, an available onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system with Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™ integration.

Preferred trims can also be equipped with the Cold Weather Comfort package which adds heated front seats, as well as standalone features like a sunroof and power liftgate.  

5. Numerous tech and driver convenience features 

Numerous driver convenience technologies are included up and down the 2020 Encore GX’s feature list. Forward collision mitigation and lane-departure mitigation are standard kit, but look out for available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Technology package, found on Select and Essence trims, includes adaptive cruise control, while the Convenience Package offers an automated parking system and a digital rearview mirror.