- The Buick Encore GX, new for 2020, debuts with a price that should make it competitive in the compact-crossover market.
- The GX will come in three trim levels, with the base Preferred model starting just over $25,000 and fully optioned models pushing into the mid-$30,000 range.
- All three trims come with a 137-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine, but a more powerful turbo engine is available as an option.
Buick’s latest addition to its crossover lineup is the Encore GX, which slots in between the Encore and Envision in both price and size. Despite the familiar name, the Encore GX is a completely new model for 2020 that shares many similarities with the also new Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Encore GX will start appearing in Buick showrooms later this year.
The Encore GX will come in three trim levels—Preferred, Select, and Essence—with Preferred being the base variant and Essence the top tier. Preferred starts at $25,095, Select at $26,695, and Essence at $29,495. All trims are front-wheel drive; optional all-wheel drive costs $2000 across the board. The standard engine is a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower, paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). A more powerful, 155-hp turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder is standard on all-wheel-drive Encore GX models and a $395 option on front-wheel-drive models; it’s teamed with a nine-speed automatic.
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The only no-cost color is Summit White, with all other colors costing extra for all trim levels for $495 to $1095. There are two color options for the interior on the Preferred and Select trim levels, while Essence gets an additional color option. The Sport Touring package adds a sportier look to the GX for all trim levels with dark wheels, revised sportier grilles and bumpers, and red exterior accents, priced at $650. The Safety package, only available on the lowest Preferred trim, costs $1815 and adds rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, remote start, and a power liftgate.
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An Experience Buick package on Select and Essence models ($1995) brings a power moonroof, navigation, different wheels, and surround vision to the party. The other package only available to these two trims is the Advanced Technology package ($2455) that adds navigation, adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, a head-up display, surround view, and a power liftgate.
The Encore GX will need to carve out its precise niche in the crossover market. It’s more expensive than the subcompact-crossover class, which includes cars like the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks, and Mazda CX-3, but not as luxurious or pricey as others like the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. But Buick tends to offer vehicles that are steppingstones from more economical brands like Chevrolet to more luxurious brands like Cadillac.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
