2020 Buick Encore GX
05-29-19, 11:44 PM
#1
2020 Buick Encore GX
The crossover craze has taken root throughout the car industry, but especially at Buick. The company says that 90% of its sales are of the upright utilities. So it's no surprise the brand is adding yet another model to the line-up, the 2020 Buick Encore GX.
Despite the name, the Encore GX doesn't appear to share anything with the current Encore, as GM says it uses a new platform. It's also larger than the regular Encore, though it's also smaller than the midsize Envision. One area in which its slightly bigger size benefits the GX is that it has nearly five more cubic feet of cargo space than the current Encore.
Other details about the crossover are scant. Buick hasn't even said what engine or transmission will be used. Buick did say the Encore GX will feature automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-keep assist as standard features, with the rear-camera mirror as an option. The current Encore will continue to be sold alongside the Encore GX, and it won't be replaced with the version shown at the Shanghai Auto Show. Pricing and availability will be announced later, along with other vehicle details.
Despite the name, the Encore GX doesn't appear to share anything with the current Encore, as GM says it uses a new platform. It's also larger than the regular Encore, though it's also smaller than the midsize Envision. One area in which its slightly bigger size benefits the GX is that it has nearly five more cubic feet of cargo space than the current Encore.
Other details about the crossover are scant. Buick hasn't even said what engine or transmission will be used. Buick did say the Encore GX will feature automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-keep assist as standard features, with the rear-camera mirror as an option. The current Encore will continue to be sold alongside the Encore GX, and it won't be replaced with the version shown at the Shanghai Auto Show. Pricing and availability will be announced later, along with other vehicle details.
05-30-19, 12:58 AM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Still suffering from Disney-car syndrome. Tiny wheels, too small wheel-wells, and too tall overall. Pleasant dash design, however.
05-30-19, 01:32 AM
#3
That actually looks really good. If I lived a in a 'lil ciity I would buy it.
05-30-19, 06:02 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
I think the side profile looks great. At least it doesn’t have the ever popular black plastic around the wheels, and the taller sidewalls will make for a more comfortable ride.
05-30-19, 07:01 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Most Encore customers probably won't put up with a stiff ride. You're buying something with a Buick shield on the hood.
With Opel now gone from the list of GM subsidiaries, I'm not surprised that the Encore GX is coming from a different platform. I'm concerned, though, that it might not have the Encore's generally good reliability.
Buick hasn't even said what engine or transmission will be used.
Other sources list 1.0L and 1.3L gas turbo-threes, but we'll see what the American market gets. Ford uses a 1.0L turbo three on the Ecosport, so it's not surprising if GM follows suit.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-31-19 at 07:02 AM.
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06-01-19, 03:30 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Notice something, Jill? They finally put the Buick tri-color shield in the middle of the steering wheel, instead of that cheap-looking chrome-outline. You and I both mentioned that lack a couple of years ago, when the color tri-shelds first came back to the grilles and trunk-lids.
06-01-19, 03:42 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
06-01-19, 03:55 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
10-05-20, 08:09 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Here's John Davis's take on the GX. I've always liked John (I've met him and talked with him several times). Wonderful guy to talk to.....totally different from many of the self-centered attitudes of a number of others in the auto press. He's not quite as sharp or as thorough a reviewer as Alex Dykes, but part of that is that the Motorweek show's producers just won't give him enough time in the videos.....he has to condense everything into about 5 minutes. Alex, on the other hand, typically gets 25-30 minutes.
10-10-20, 05:44 AM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Truly astonishing that a 3 cylinder is deemed acceptable...155HP...where a RAV4 is 204hp from an I4 with better fuel economy as well
Good review nonetheless by the Motorweek
Good review nonetheless by the Motorweek
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 10-10-20 at 05:55 AM.
10-10-20, 07:45 AM
#13
Are you trying to sell us or yourself? Nice small CUV. Too bad Buick can't build in the USA. I just find it ironic your buying a CUV after listening to your incessant whining on the loss of sedans. I get it though, so need to reply with a 2 page retort.
10-10-20, 08:04 AM
#14
Lexus Champion
Here's John Davis's take on the GX. I've always liked John (I've met him and talked with him several times). Wonderful guy to talk to.....totally different from many of the self-centered attitudes of a number of others in the auto press. He's not quite as sharp or as thorough a reviewer as Alex Dykes, but part of that is that the Motorweek show's producers just won't give him enough time in the videos.....he has to condense everything into about 5 minutes. Alex, on the other hand, typically gets 25-30 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=435ZObjp32U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=435ZObjp32U
10-10-20, 08:22 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Whether we deem them "acceptable" or not is of little consequence at this point. Get used to it. Smaller ICEs are coming, whether we want them or not....unless you go wth a full-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. I grew up in an age of large-displacement engines, and learned to drive on a 3.7L straight-six.....which was considered modest back then, but, today, is larger than probably the vast majority of powerplants in today's vehicles, unless they are heavy-duty trucks/SUVs or exotic performance-cars.
You also have to consider that even loaded, AWD Encore GX's are only a little over 3000 lbs., so the engine doesn't have a lot of weight to lug around or for the brakes to stop.
I looked at new RAV-4s.....and even did a full-review on them. Yes, good powertrains...but, although it looks much better than the previous-generation RAV-4, I found the rest of the vehicle to be somewhat cheap in design and materials, and definitely not as pleasant inside as the two-tone Encore GX interior. The Encore GX was also the perfect exterior size for what my daily driving and parking needs are becoming today...not as tiny or Mickey-Mouse-like as the regular Encore/Trax (B-class crossovers), but not as bulky as the RAV-4 or other C-class crossovers.
John could easily do even better if Motorweek's producers would give him more time. They squeeze his videos in with those of Pat Goss (the Motorweek Technician) and industry-news announcers on the TV show. But he probably would not be quite as detailed as, say, Alex Dykes, though...that's just not is style. Alex describes everything on the vehicle down to a gnat's a**.
What I like about John, though, is that he is a down-to-earth guy, and does not act or talk like a lot of other car-people in that business.
You also have to consider that even loaded, AWD Encore GX's are only a little over 3000 lbs., so the engine doesn't have a lot of weight to lug around or for the brakes to stop.
where a RAV4 is 204hp from an I4 with better fuel economy as well
Good review nonetheless by the Motorweek
What I like about John, though, is that he is a down-to-earth guy, and does not act or talk like a lot of other car-people in that business.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-10-20 at 08:28 AM.