We recently showed you exclusive new images of the 2020 Buick Encore GX, the new “subcompact-plus” crossover SUV that Buick will sell in both North America and China. Now, we’ve gotten our hands on new photos of the 2020 Buick Encore – the other member of Buick’s new family of Encore models that will be sold exclusively in China.
The new images of the new Buick Encore, based on the GM GEM platform, allow us to better understand the vehicle’s exterior design, which adopts the latest design trends from the Buick lineup and the automotive industry as a whole.
At first sight, the 2020 Buick Encore exhibits a rather planted posture with organic lines and muscular forms.
Up front, the design features many horizontal elements, transmitting a greater sense of solidity and width. The grill, finished in shiny black panels, unique to this model within the the Buick range, is wide and short. It is accompanied by a set of wide integrated headlights, which are “supported” by the horizontal bar that emerges from the Buick logo and runs outward.
Also striking is the complex treatment of the front bumper cover at the lower fascia. The surface development features well-sculpted air intakes that we believe double as air curtains, as well as decorative moldings in contrasting color. There’s also a metallic-looking piece lining the bottom end of the lower fascia; we will see this piece surface at the side and rear. And notice the absence of any lighting fixtures outside of the primary headlights, and the black mirror caps with integrated turn signal indicators.
At the side, the first thing that catches our eye about the all-new 2020 Buick Encore is its “floating roof” design, with a roof finished in black, and a unique C-pillar design with a thick chrome strip extended past the greenhouse trim. The roof rails and comms fin are also finished in black. We also see a character line running from the corner of the front headlamp all the way through to the front-most portion of the tail light. And check out the swoosh-like line on the doors.
The wheel arches are wrapped in what appears to be a glossy black finish that turns into cladding on the lower-most part of the doors. That cladding also integrates a metallic-looking strip, much like the front. Meanwhile, the dark-finish wheels feature a double five-spoke design with a unique orange accent applied to two of the spokes.
At the rear, the 2020 Buick Encore maintains the design language seen at the front and sides. A black spoiler makes the small crossover seem longer than it actually is, improving its proportions while also helping with aerodynamics. The rear lights feature a horizontal orientation with a slim design. They extend inside the hatch and also wrap around into the body.
The lower rear fascia is finished in a glossy black material, much like the cladding that adorns the bottom portion of the doors, reinforcing the youthful character of the small CUV. Notice the intricate surface development at the outer edges of the body, which start just below the badging.
There are also a set of reflective strips just below the bottom portion of the hatch. That metallic-looking piece resurfaces just below the license plate cutout, followed by a reverse center-mounted light. Also notice that the exhaust is tucked under the vehicle, rather than being exposed.
The entire design is playful, youthful, bold and refined – and feels right at home on the 2020 Buick Encore. As we noted above, this model is developed for China and other emerging markets. As such, it will not make its way to the United States and Canada, though it might come to Mexico.
We currently only have images of the second-gen Encore’s exterior and are working on getting images of the cabin for both the Buick Encore and the Buick Encore GX.
Subscribe to GM Authority as we bring you the latest Buick Encore news, Buick news and ongoing GM news coverage.
Generally following the market trend.
Plus, special leases on all-new premium three-row crossover.
Refreshed SUV in crisp, clean colors.
Top-dog Caddy hits the racetrack.
Spec the third-gen crossover as you see fit.
View Comments
This is the kind of design Buick needs too have in the US to shake off the "grandpa's car" image. Youthful, playful, and distinctive.
Umm... this is more staid than the previous Buick Encore.
A couple of days ago.. GM Authority showed pictures of a Buick Enclave with a faux woody exterior; now imagine the 2020 Buick Encore GX taking a page from it's Grand National days plugging in the LWC 1.6L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo from the discontinued Buick Cascada which should increase the 'fun' factor.
Yet this isn’t the Encore GX... it is the Encore... and the 1.6L is done for after the Cascada.
Nice looking but too large. Gave me this look in a current sized model!
I used to want the Encore for my mother... albeit with a bit more hp from the turbo engine.....now no turbo, and Nissan styling. NOPE!
Your comment makes the most sense if your Mom lives in China.
IMO, a very nice looking vehicle.
Why wouldn’t GM bring this to North America? Never stepping outside the box delivers your customers to other companies or in Buick’s case...they die
GEM is simply modified Gamma platform. I don't care what GM says: GEM with get inproved suspension and eventually be Federalized.
A vehicle like this is too good to waste. Better than Trailblazer. First Gen Encore is getting dated and GM will want a replacement.
A developing word exclusive platform is dumb and reminds me of the many non-Federalized Opel models designed without forsignt regarding the changing market or trends.
If you guys are looking for a beta tester, I’m your man. I’ll give you my 2014 (which I love. I’ll take one for the Buick team.
Looks like a Subaru only better. Buick has found a future CUV design language capable of building Buick into more than just grandpa's brand.
GM can do good designs. GM can also do eyesores like Envision or even Encore GX.
The more I see this Chinese only version, the more I like it. I too wish it was coming here with a few mods (safety, etc). I still think I like this better than the GX version. But from this article, one thing stands out more than anything else. This apparently will have painted lower moldings/wheel arch molding unlike the GX which will continue with the ugly non-painted black plastic that looks sooooooo upscale (total sarcasm). Before this article, I couldn't put my finger on why I was liking this version better than the GX. Now I know it's because of the lower painted area and giving it a true two-tone effect.
Alex, how come no interior photos of either the GX or non-GX models have been released?
Why is this not coming to US market? I dont get it.. current generation encore sells extremely well and they dont bring 2nd gen to states? The gx model pales in design to the new escape. Not everyone wants a bigger car. Not having a new stylish small cuv in 2020 is a mistake. Also, what happened to cadillac, they have talked about xt1, xt2, xt3 for years and still offer no small cuv? Am I the only guy that have a wife that wants a small luxury cuv? On a positive, the 2021 trailblazer looks promising!