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2020 Buick Encore GX review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Buick Encore GX highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

  • Spacious interior for passengers and cargo
  • Lots of driver assistance tech as standard
  • Frugal engine choices

Cons

  • Front seats can be quite narrow for some
  • Soft and spongy handling
  • Infotainment system is fiddly to operate

Mileage (EPA estimate)

26 city, 29 highway, 28 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

7 photos
Price
Year
Mileage

Small on the outside, spacious on the inside

A brand new model for 2020, the Buick Encore GX attempts to combine the comfort and refinement of larger Buick SUVs into a smaller subcompact package – and succeeds in style. Underneath the small and stylish SUV body lies a roomy and well-equipped cabin, an abundance of standard tech and driver convenience features, and generous cargo storage all around. Throw in a choice of two diminutive yet punchy engines, and you have the ideal vehicle for a busy family lifestyle.

All Buick Encore GX years

2020 Buick Encore GX trims

Curious how Buick Encore GX trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Select:

  • 1.3L
  • 137-hp, 162-lb-ft of torque 1.2L
  • 155-hp, 174-lb-ft of torque 1.3L
  • Rear Defroster
  • Cruise Control
  • Power Seats
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Power Mirrors
  • Side Airbags
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Rear View Camera
  • View our Buick Encore GX Select inventory

Preferred:

Essence:

Buick Encore GX photos

5 reasons to buy the 2020 Buick Encore GX

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. 

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

Buick Encore GX features and specs

Essence 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Hatch/Deck Lid
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Remote Start
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine
  • Alloy Wheels
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automated Parking
  • Automatic Transmission
  • BOSE Sound System
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Head Up Display
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Navigation System
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Hatch/Deck Lid
  • Rear View Camera
  • Running Boards
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.2L

Horsepower

137

Torque (ft-lbs)

162

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

13.2

Wheelbase

102.2"

Overall length

171.4"

Width

71.4"

Height

64.1"

Leg room

F 40.9"/R 36"

Head room

F 39.7"/R 38.1"

Front tires

225/55R18

Rear tires

225/55R18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2020 Buick Encore GX FAQ

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