Feast your eyeballs on the most recent 2020 Buick Encore spy shots. Following one sighting in the U.S. and two subsequent sightings in Korea (here and here), this prototype was spied while undergoing testing at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan, and the photos give us our best look yet at the Buick’s second-gen subcompact crossover.
Despite most of the prototype being covered by dark, heavy camo, we can still make out some rather important details. The headlights seen here are placeholder non-production units, but a pair of wings that are part of Buick’s new signature logo/grille design can be seen peaking out from under the camouflaged grille. Notably, the entire front end has a more upright appearance than the current model, with elements such as the headlights and grille adopting a new layout that stretches the components horizontally.
The side mirrors have been relocated from the pedestal-style mount on the sheetmetal of the front doors to the forward-most spot on the front door above the beltline. The change results in the removal of the front vanity windows seen on the current model, since that’s where the attachment for the new mirror position now resides.
This tester doesn’t appear to have a sunroof, but we expect a large panoramic unit to be offered as an option.
The second-gen model appears to retain the current model’s downward sloping roofline, but the side profile is notably different. The changes start with the design of the Day Light Opening (DLO): whereas the bottom portion of the greenhouse of the current model is mostly horizontal, the next-gen Encore introduces an upward kink that begins roughly in the middle of the rear door and runs toward the C-pillar. The top portion of the greenhouse, however, retains the Encore’s signature “fast drop” as the greenhouse approaches the C-pillar. Have a gander at the wheels, with the black accents typically reserved for models in the Sport Touring trim level.
The rear end is all camo’d up, making it nigh impossible to figure out what’s going underneath, though the cutlines in the drapes provide some clues as to the shape of the hatch door. Curiously, we don’t see any notable exhaust treatment, with the tester’s exhaust seemingly exiting via a single outlet tucked under the rear end of the vehicle. This is similar to what we’ve already seen on the Encore’s upcoming GMC-badged platform mate. By contrast, 2020 Chevy Trax spy shots show the crossover with a dual exhaust treatment.
About 2020 Buick Encore
Expected for the 2020 model year, the next Buick Encore will represent the second generation of the Encore nameplate. The first-generation model was developed primarily for European markets by GM’s ex-subsidiary, Opel, while the second-gen model is being developed by GM in North America and Korea for sale exclusively in North America and China.
The 2020 Buick Encore will ride on new GM Vehicle Set. In fact, we expect the 2020 Buick Encore to be one of three new crossovers to launch General Motors’ Vehicle Set Strategy – with the other two being the 2020 Chevy Trax and the forthcoming subcompact GMC crossover, whose name we have yet to find out (but expect to be 2020 GMC Granite). Exactly which Vehicle Set will underpin the next Encore is currently unknown, but we’d wager that it will be either VSS-S (for crossover SUVs) or VSS-F (for front-drive models).
Despite some reports stating that the new Encore will grow in size, we believe that 2020 Encore will retain the dimensions of the current model, as it will slot beneath the compact Buick Envision in the Tri Shield brand’s crossover lineup.
Under the hood, expect to find one or two turbo-charged, small-displacement four-cylinder engines mated to either a 6-speed automatic, 9-speed automatic, or perhaps even a CVT.
Expect Buick’s Encore to be revealed at some point over the next 8-12 months, and launch in the 2019 calendar year as a 2020 model.
Comments
Hopefully someone at General Motors’ hierarchy recognizes that if CUV will replace cars then it’s important to make them fun to drive whether they’re an entry model like the Buick Encore or something more upmarket like the Enclave; it’s never too early to consider the development of a high performance variant like an Encore GT.
Looks like it might be a winner. They could sell a ton of these if they nail the details and pricing right.
By the way, news out that NAFTA IS DEAD!!! Mexico caved to President Trump and will sign a Mexico-U.S.A. trade deal maybe as early as next week! Canada was not included by either the Mexicans or the Americans!
Ol’ Prime Minister Trudeau just keeps screwing things for Canadians (I am one). No wonder the Liberal liar has all-time low poll numbers, half of President Trump’s. The Canadian auto industry is destroyed and the economy is free-falling…All Trudeau can do is shed crocodile tears and bark like a little dog with no bite.
… at least Trudeau won’t be in jail soon…
Who’s going to jail?
It needs a shark fin antenna!
Still the swooped up rear side windows and descending roof line . GM HAS GOT TO BE HOT IN THE GROOVE STYLE , USUALLY FORSAKING reliability and refinement . I am tired of GM as It tries to out style the opposition. GM can’t be number 1 in any catagory , I am off to start a Ford account , at least they aim higher .
And so let’s look at Ford, shall we? Have you driven the Ford model that competes with the Trax? It’s called the EcoSport, and no one has ever uttered the words “reliability” and “refinement” in conjunction with that vehicle.
BEV Buick Encore
In fact… Opel has developed this car as well, the spy pictures on Opel Mokka reveals much more.
It is only now after the sale of Opel as GM took over the last job but it was virtually complete so there are only small details left to fine tune for GM, but officially it’s called that GM made it – simply not true…