Road Test: 2020 Buick Encore GX Essence

Compact SUV with Premium Touches

The all-new 2020 Encore GX is the fourth Buick crossover SUV, becoming part of the family of, from smallest to largest–Encore, Encore GX, Envision and Enclave. Buick says that nearly 90-percent of their sales in America come from these four vehicles, meaning their sedans/wagons (Regal GS, Regal Sportback and Regal TourX) are scrapping for that final 10-percent. Do we see handwriting on the wall? Hmm? Speculation for another day. Getting back to this sharp looking small crossover.

The Korean-built Encore GX is not a fancy version of the smaller Buick Encore, as these are two completely different vehicles. There are so many choices in the compact crossover SUV category that is tough saying one is the best. The 2020 Buick Encore GX Essence FWD is a nice, comfortable crossover that gets 30+ mpg, and has ample storage and passenger space. The design is easily among the best among its peers, and the quiet ride is a bit more premium than others in this category.

Clean Fleet Report drove the 2020 Encore GX FWD throughout Southern California, powered by the optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. This little three-banger puts out 155 horsepower (hp) and 174 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque, while mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base engine is an even smaller 1.2-liter three-cylinder delivering 137 hp and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. If you want AWD, you also get a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The EPA rates the 1.3L Buick Encore GX FWD at 30 mpg city/32 highway/31 combined. Our real-world experience was a bit different, as over 425 miles our combined average was 32.7 mpg. On the freeway with the adaptive cruise control set at 65 mph, we achieved 36.6 mpg over a 125-mile run. The EPA estimates are middle of the pack for compact crossovers, but if driven with an eye towards being fuel-wise, the fuel economy numbers are quite good. Fuel economy reported by Clean Fleet Report is non-scientific and represents the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.

Driving Experience: On the Road

The 3,094-pound Encore GX with the 1.3L and the CVT turned 0-60 times around 8.7 seconds. Not fast, but the person looking to buy an Encore GX will be satisfied with that performance for entering highways and passing big rigs.

The Encore GX Essence comes standard with front-wheel drive and 225/55 Hankook Kinergy GT all-season tires mounted on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels. The ride was stable, good for either around-town driving or on longer road trips. The tires gripped well until pushed hard on corners, where understeer and modest body roll limited any hard charging. The overall ride on the freeway was a bit squishy and light on its wheels. Hard to put a finger on it exactly, but maybe the small movements were felt as the suspension was responding to road surface conditions. The light steering made in-town driving and parking easy. Overall, the handling and ride make for a well-balanced crossover with negligible wind noise.

Brake pedal feel was firm with no fade. The suspension and the stability control were tuned nicely so the four wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake assist made for straight and true stops. The brakes have automatic drying feature, but because of our seemingly endless summer here in SoCal where rain is a vague memory, we had no chance to test this technology.

Design

The Encore GX, all-new for 2020, has benefited from Buick designers paying close attention to proportions for this compact crossover. Small crossovers can tend to be tall, narrow or both. The Encore GX has a nice stance that includes it being longer, lower and wider than the sibling Encore. If the size looks familiar, the Encore GX shares a platform with the all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer. Buick’s history of reserved styling, not relying on fads or trends, comes across with a tasteful new wing-shaped grille with LED headlights, fog lights and daytime running lights. The roofline gradually slopes to the integrated wing over the rear hatch, which is hands-free power operated. The LED tail lights with a down-pointing boomerang light signature, curve softly around the backend. A restrained use of chrome and a lack of harsh edges makes for a smooth, polished design. We especially liked the chrome strip that runs the length of the roof, and finishes off with a point on the C pillar.

Inviting Interior

Clean Fleet Report tested the Encore GX Essence, which is the highest of the three trim levels (Preferred and Select are the other two). The GX also comes in a ST (Sport Touring) model. Our GX Essence was loaded with pretty much everything you would want or expect for an accommodating driving experience. The perforated and heated power front seats (10-way for the driver with memory; eight-way for the passenger) are functional and supportive. The rear seat splits 60/40, providing for ample storage space. Lay down the rear seat and the front passenger seat, and the Buick Encore GX can accommodate an eight-foot item. Rear seat head and leg room was good for two adults, three in a pinch for a short trip, and included USB A and C charge-only ports.

Everything in the interior is within easy reach. The center dash in our Encore housed an 8.0-inch diagonal color touchscreen, where the audio system with optional navigation and Surround Vision are found. The infotainment system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with AM/FM and is Sirius/XM capable. The USB A and C, and AUX ports allow for connected devices. The Bluetooth worked very well for voice recognition, with most of the entertainment controlled by switches on the heated leather-covered steering wheel. We wish Buick would have added a knob to control the radio channels.

The Encore GX is well-equipped with convenience features including interior noise canceling, wireless phone charging, 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hot Spot, remote keyless entry with remote start, power windows with express up and down (front and rear), tire pressure monitor, rain-sensing windshield wipers, keyless push button on and off and OnStar.

A note regarding OnStar: a simple push of a button connects you with a friendly General Motors representative to handle emergencies, directions and general assistance to make your driving experience safer and more enjoyable. This is one area where GM is the industry leader, and after the initial service plan expires, it is well worth renewing.

Clean Fleet Report is a big fan of the head-up display we found on the Encore GX. This safety feature projects vital driving information on the windshield, directly in front of the driver. This eliminates removing eyes from the road, which is the major cause for distracted driving.

Safety, Pricing and Warranties

The Encore comes with an extensive list of standard and optional safety features. Since some of the features are available on higher trim levels and through packages, we advise getting your car with as many advanced driver technology and safety features as possible.

Features available on the Encore include front, side, knee and head airbags, forward automatic emergency braking and collision warning, stability control, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist, vehicle stability management, traction control, lane change, side blind zone alert and a theft deterrent system. Check-out the Teen Driving technology that offers parents some peace of mind.

The 2020 Encore has earned a US Government National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, its highest rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not rated the Encore GX.

Clean Fleet Report’s Encore GX Essence FWD, with $3,970 in options and the $995 destination charge, had a MSRP of $33,465.

The 2020 Encore GX comes with these warranties:

Observations: 2020 Buick Encore GX Essence FWD

There are so many choices in the compact crossover SUV category (see some of our tests below) that is tough saying one is the best. The 2020 Buick Encore GX Essence FWD is a nice, comfortable crossover that gets 30+ mpg and has ample storage and passenger space. The design is easily among the best among its peers, and the quiet ride is a bit more premium than others in this category.

The Buick Encore GX is not pretentious, which is exactly how Buick designs its cars and crossovers. The exterior design is clean and contemporary and is all-new for 2020. The interior is tasteful, with premium touches. The Encore GX should be popular with small families and empty nesters looking for a vehicle that can get all their tasks done around town, then head out on a road trip. If you need more traction for inclement weather, the Encore GX has an all-wheel drive option.

Whatever you buy, Happy Driving!

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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Buick.

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.