2020 Buick Encore GX

The Buick Encore GX is an inch wider and 3 inches longer than the original model, which fully elevates its real-world functionality

BY MARK MAYNARD

“A Buick Encore? Who wants to drive a Buuu-ick?” asked the girlfriend-wife. “They don’t even make Buicks, anymore, do they?” — adding with a snarky wince that she would not need to be driving a Buuu-ick.

Suit yourself, thought I. I’ve tested many new Buicks in recent years, with her in the passenger seat, yet somewhere those had been forgotten. And all this before she’d even seen touched the chrome strip on the door handle of the Encore GX Essence test car.

“Oh, hmmm, is that it, the black one?” she asked of the little SUV in the driveway. “Is it a cheesy car?”

No, but let the car speak for itself, as I handed over the key fob for a run to the market.

Subcompact not substandard

Subcompact SUVs are the new sweet spot of getting a lot more space and function, while still generating a hefty sticker price over a sedan.

It was not long ago that a subcompact car or SUV was substandard in its comfort, drivability, and quality. These types of econoboxes were the manufacturers’ shoehorn to slide buyers into a larger and more profitable model. But today, a subcompact SUV, such as the Encore GX, has been hand-hammered from the inside out to be roomier and more accommodating to a wider range of drivers. It is smoothed over with a liberal layer of Buick refinements, including QuietTuning and a full suite of advanced technologies.

Buick Encore Overview

Buick debuted the Encore nameplate in late 2012 as a 2013 model, the brand’s first subcompact model — car or SUV. The Encore is a GM global platform (and shared with the older and slightly smaller Chevrolet Trax) and is assembled at the GM Korea plant in Bupyeong, South Korea. The Chinese market Encore is assembled in Shanghai.

The updated and larger Encore GX, sort of a super-subcompact in size, joined the lineup as a 2020 model. It has more commonality with the new Chevrolet Trailblazer and, eventually, will replace its smaller sibling.

U.S. sales of Encore totaled almost 32,000 in 2013 and the pace leapfrogged consistently every year to 78,565 by 2016. It had a midcycle refresh in 2017 and sales continued to climb from 41,129 to 102,402 by 2019, the last year that sales numbers were available. (That’s according to Wikipedia; GM no longer posts monthly sales and now relies on quarterly tallies.)

Each month since June, the Encore GX has been Buick’s highest-selling nameplate, a spokeswoman said, “and we expect it to the end the year as the brand’s No. 1 selling vehicle, as well,” she said via email. “We expect the Encore GX/Encore split to be roughly 70/30.”

There are at least a dozen choices of subcompact crossovers with the Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota CH-R among them. But the luxury choices are fewer, namely the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus UX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40. Most of the competitors, some with standard all-wheel drive, have starting prices that range from $34,695 (Volvo XC40) to $37,095 for the Audi with AWD.

The Encore GX starts at about $10,000 less than those top-tier competitors, but it is also more of a “premium” choice than entry-luxury. It might not have the depth of sophisticated engineering or refinement of the European makes, but it is more than a glam job of an economy model. And it will cost a lot less to maintain over the years.

Encore GX Pricing

The Encore GX is sold in front- or all-wheel drive with a choice of two turbocharged and direct-injection three-cylinder engines — either a 137-horsepower 1.2-liter or 155-hp, 1.3-liter. Front-drive models use a continuously variable automatic transmission and AWD gets a nine-speed automatic.

2020 GX pricing starts at $25,095, including the $995 freight charge from Bupyeong, South Korea; AWD adds $2,000. A Sport Touring package, $1,100, is a cosmetic upgrade of body-color side and rocker moldings, unique grille with red accents, 18-inch dark high gloss wheels, and front and rear sport bumpers with red accents.

Buick says 2021 pricing increased by just $100 across all trim levels and the new model-year cars are now on sale.

The front-drive GX Essence tester had a 2020 starting price of $28,500 and came to $34,965 with six packages and options, including the bigger 1.3-liter engine, a modest $395 upgrade. Also worthwhile was the $495 Safety group that includes rear cross-traffic alert and side blind-zone alert.

At the time of posting this story, there were two pricing incentives:

The Encore GX FWD Preferred has an ultra low-mileage lease (for qualified lessees) of $265 per month for 39 months; $3,214 due at signing (after all offers) and no security deposit required. (Mileage charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles at participating dealers.

And there was a cash offer of $3,250.

All Buick incentives can be found here (depending on ZIP code).

2021 Encore GX Updates

Additions and changes for 2021 include:

• 8-inch Buick Infotainment System with navigation was removed from the Experience Buick Package on the Select and Essence models.
• The Bose seven-speaker system with amplifier and HD radio now requires adding the Safety Package. (It previously required the Experience Buick Package).
•  Satellite radio is now standard on all models with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
•  Adaptive cruise control was added to the Preferred trim level.

Interior Function

The Encore GX is an inch wider and 3 inches longer than the original model, which fully elevates its real-world functionality.

It still is a small vehicle, but with full-size adult headroom in the front of almost 38 inches and legroom of almost 41 inches. That space is more typical of a midsize sedan. The tall headroom and shoulder room of 55.4 inches contribute to the roominess of the cabin.

Back seat legroom of 36 inches and headroom of 38 inches will accommodate a 6-foot-tall passenger behind the driver. A flat floor helps foot space for three-across seating.

There are several areas for small-item storage and the tester was well equipped with accommodating features. Standard on the tester was wireless charging, four USB charging ports, heated seats and steering wheel, a big (8-inch) surround-view camera screen, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and an eight-way power front passenger seat.

Cargo space of 23.5 to 50.2 cubic feet has flip-and-fold convertibility. The front passenger seat, for example, folds flat forward and there is a two-level cargo floor. The tall load floor limits the height of cargo capacity, but there is about 8.5 feet of length with the back seat folded.

Buick Encore Safety Features

Small cars like this aren’t what I would recommend as a hypermiling commuter, but the tester’s new size and its depth of safety technologies would be an exception. The raised ride height helps it to be seen and provides the driver an open view of traffic.

Standard safety features are extensive and include 10 air bags and a range of technologies. The GX safety technologies include Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Following Distance Indicator.

Four-wheel disc brakes easily handle the curb weight of 3,094 pounds and a tow rating of up to 1,000 pounds. The front rotors are 11.8-inches with 10.4-inch rotors rear.

Buick Encore powertrains

There’s not much of a fuel-economy advantage for the 1.2-liter engine. Front-drive models are rated for 26 mpg city, 30 highway and 28 mpg combined, on the recommended 87 octane. Those numbers compare to 30/32/31 mpg for the 1.3-liter or 26/29/28 with AWD.

The “big” engine has more force than you might imagine from a 1.3-liter, though it sounds rattly at idle. Buick’s QuietTuning soundproofing muffles most engine noise around town, but there is some engine and wind noise at highway speeds. And the Hankook Synergy GT all-season tires have a high (hard) treadwear rating of 700, making the ride quality feel hard.

I’m not usually a fan of the CVT, but this one moves the Encore GX without delay from turbo spooling or the transmission taking hold. Using Sport mode can sharpen launch force and shift points, but I zipped around in the standard mode. My average fuel economy ranged from 24 to 25 mpg around town to a brief best of 48.5 with very long stretches of highway driving.

Compared to a four-cylinder, there is a little more engine vibration at idle, but it’s not distracting. And there is a more abrupt start-up after a stop-start at idle.

The size of the Encore GX is parking-garage friendly and it’s nimble to maneuver, with a 36.8-foot turning circle. Anybody can be a sloppy parker and still stay between the lines.

Why Buick Encore GX?

The girlfriend’s Buick skepticism waned after a test run. She liked that the Encore GX wasn’t macho, and it connected with her feminine side.

“From a woman’s perspective, it’s cute and easy to get in and out of, and it’s really quiet,” she said. “And it goes like hell when you step on it.”

The Encore GX is a sweet package and a credible “premium” offering in a segment with more utilitarian competitors. You might gulp at the as-tested price, but its wealth of features will seem fair as a safe space to navigate a pandemic.

2020 Buick Encore GX Essence FWD

Body style: Subcompact, 5-seat, 5-door crossover SUV, in front or AWD

Engine: 155 hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 1.3-liter 3-cylinder with auto stop-start at idle; 176 lb.-ft. torque at 1,600 rpm

Transmission: CVT

Fuel economy: 30/32/31 city/hwy/combined; 87 octane

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 13.2 gal.

Cargo space: 23.5-50.2 cu. ft.

Front head/leg room: 37.9*/40.9 in. *39.7 w/o moonroof

Rear head/leg room: 38/36 in.

Length/wheelbase: 171.4/102.2 in.

Curb weight: 3,094 lbs.

Turning circle: 36.8 ft.

Tow capacity: 1,000 lbs.

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: smart key entry with push-button ignition, 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, 8-way power front passenger seat, perforated leather-trimmed upholstery, heated steering wheel, power (heated) side mirrors, LED headlights-taillights-fog-running lights, Quiet-tuning soundproofing with active noise (audio) cancellation, 8-inch color infotainment touch screen with voice command Bluetooth phone and audio, rearview camera, 4.2-inch color driver-info display, 4 USB ports (2 type C), 60/40 folding back seat, 2-level cargo floor, cargo roller cover

Safety features include: 10 air bags, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert with following distance indicator, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning; lane change alert with side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert

PRICING

Base price: $29,495, including $995 freight charge; price as tested $34,965

Options on test vehicle: Ebony Twilight metallic paint $495; Ecotec 1.3-liter turbocharged engine $395; Advanced Technology package, $1,790, adds HD surround vision camera, head-up display, adaptive cruise control (w/camera), Buick infotainment system with navigation; Experience Buick package, $1,500, includes a power moonroof, 18-inch high-gloss alloy wheels; Convenience package, $770, includes automatic parking assist with braking, wireless charging, rear camera mirror with washer and rain-sensing wipers; Liftgate package, $560, adds a hands-free power liftgate

Where assembled: Bupyeong, South Korea

Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain with roadside assistance and courtesy vehicle; free scheduled first maintenance