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2020 Buick Encore GX: Live Photo Gallery

Having announced the 2020 Buick Encore GX earlier this year for China, GM officially announced the vehicle for the United States market at the end of May. But both the Chinese and U.S. announcements included only a few photos of the new crossover, which enters as a sort of “subcompact plus” model slotting between the subcompact Encore (B-segment CUV) and compact Envision (C-segment CUV). Luckily, our spy managed to catch the new crossover undergoing validation testing in Colorado, giving us our first “in the wild” look at the Encore GX.

2020 Buick Encore GX Exterior - Live - June 2019 002

One element that the press photos didn’t show in great detail is the front end, including the boomerang-shaped daytime running lights that do double duty as a signature accent for the vehicle. Inside the headlamp cluster is a set of LED lights with a primary forward lighting element on the outside, and a double-stacked element inside.

2020 Buick Encore GX Exterior - Live - June 2019 013

In addition, take note of the red accents within the upper grille as well as the equally-red strip in the lower grille. These red elements are standard on the Encore GX ST (Sport Touring) model. Both the black and white models seen here are finished in the ST trim.

The front end also features a unique treatment of the area that houses the turn signal indicators and fog lamps.

2020 Buick Encore GX Exterior - Live - June 2019 004

What these real-world 2020 Buick Encore GX photos show more than anything is the “subcompact-plus”-size of this new entry. The Encore GX is notably larger than the first-gen model, which Buick will continue selling in the U.S., at least for the time being. In China, the first-gen Encore will be replaced by the all-new, second-gen Encore.

2020 Buick Encore GX Exterior - Live - June 2019 006

And check out that floating roofline treatment, the surface development of the rear haunches (or “hips”) and door panels.

2020 Buick Encore GX Exterior - Live - June 2019 010

Out back, we see the new Buick tail lamp design, along with what seems to be a set of fake exhaust outlets flanking the rear valance, with the actual exhaust tucked under the vehicle. There’s also a red accent strip at the lower rear valance, much like at the front.

2020 Buick Encore GX Exterior - Live - June 2019 016

The 2020 Buick Encore GX rides on the all-new GM VSS-F platform (or rather, vehicle set). GM says that it will offer “spirited and efficient performance”, while its cargo space was purposefully designed to be almost 5 cubic feet larger than that of the Encore and about 3 cubic feet smaller than that of the Envision.

2020 Buick Encore GX Interior 001

When it launches, the 2020 Buick Encore GX will offer a slew of standard safety and driver assistance features, including Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. It will also offer GM’s innovative Rear Camera Mirror, which provides a wider, less obstructed rear view while parking and driving, as well as a High Definition Surround Vision camera system.

No word yet on what will power this subcompact-plus entry, but we expect it to be the a boosted four-cylinder.

Buick U.S. Crossover Lineup
Subcompact Subcompact Plus Compact Mid-Size Full-Size
Encore Encore GX Envision - Enclave

The introduction of the 2020 Buick Encore GX expands Buick’s crossover offerings in the United States to four. Today, almost 90 percent of U.S. Buick sales comes from utility vehicles.

Like the “regular” Encore, the Encore GX will be assembled by GM Korea and imported into the U.S. Chinese models will be made at a SAIC-GM China plant in Shanghai.

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Comments

  1. The red accents are part of the ST package. You can see the badge in the official photos from GM.

    You don’t think it will have the 3cyl anymore? Does Has GM announced a new smaller CSS turbo 4cyl?

    Reply
  2. Am I seeing correct that the vehicle has no badging, other than the Buick tri-shield logo on the front and back and steering wheel? Doesn’t it say “Encore GX” anywhere? Also, I noticed in the Buick U.S. Crossover Lineup listing that the Enspire (aka Envision GX) isn’t included. Is that because it won’t arrive until 2021? Lastly, can GM move the Envision assembly to Korea, to avoid the Trump Chinese tariff?

    Reply
    1. These are preproduction vehicles with some badging missing.

      They have only listed officially announced vehicles.

      Everything built in Korea is also sold there or to Europe. The only markets for Buick are China and America. If they move American bound production away from China the only other sensible location is somewhere in America. Korea also does not build anything on the Envision’s plaform.

      Reply
      1. Hi BahamaTodd, I appreciate your answers.

        How can the Buick Envision be built in South Korea but sold only in the US and China (and not in South Korea)? As far as the platform for the Envision, couldn’t GM build the next generation on whatever the Encore GX will be on?

        Thank you.

        Reply
        1. Buick is not sold in South Korea.

          I assumed you were referring to the current Envision. I think we can guarantee GM won’t make that mistake again for future vehicles of selling Chinese assembled vehicles in the US. Korean and American factories will both be options as they move to the new VSS platforms.

          Reply
          1. I meant the current Buick Encore is built in South Korea but sold in the US and China.

            Reply
            1. The current Encore is assembled in South Korea as a Buick for the US market, and Opel/Vauxhall Mokka for Europe. It shares the platform (and assembly line) with several Chevrolets including the Trax which are assembled and sold in South Korea.

              The Encore is assembled in China for that market.

              This will continue with the next generations except for the Opel/Vauxhall production since GM no longer owns Opel.

              Reply
          2. Envision will be replaced by that baby Enclave, but Enspire, and or whatever the name is. It’s kind of a tweener but Americans are big and the vehicle can pass as midsized.

            Reply
  3. Please GM/Buick, don’t mess this one up and please market the car like it deserves! If they do this properly, this car should be a real success. It’s looking very good so far. The only thing I have not been able to find so far is about the engine/trans. I’m sure the engine won’t be an issue, but I pray they don’t stick the CVT in this car.

    Reply
    1. Took the words from ..Keep the CVT away !!

      Reply
  4. Wow! I am very impressed by this. I thought it looked good at the Buick site but these real life shots do it even better.

    Reply
  5. Alex, when should we expect to be posted on the Buick website since there is no “Future Vehicles” tab?

    Reply
  6. Good looking but since it’s not made in America, I’ll pass.

    Reply
    1. @BobP:

      Follow the profits, not the final assembly point. Although I too prefer an American brand built in the states, I’ll take this car over a Japanese brand assembled in the USA.

      Profits!

      Reply
      1. Hi Dan,
        I hear your point and understand without profits there are no jobs, but I’m interested in supporting a shrinking middle class, aka the guys on the assembly line, the guys at the suppliers, the local restaurants, hotels, etc. around a plant. I’m a high tech exec but I know most won’t/can’t follow that route. I want good jobs for my fellow Americans. Historically automotive plants have sustained a large group of Americans but now we think it’s OK to offshore that work to Mexico or South Korea where people are paid far less. While I’m not a Toyota fan, if they put a plant in the US and provide decent paying jobs for Americans, I’d prefer to buy that car then a GM one designed and manufactured outside the US.

        We’ve got to look out for all Americans.

        Reply
  7. Looks really nice. Too bad we won’t see it in Europe as the next Mokka. Anyone knows whoh designed this car; Mark Adams?

    Reply
  8. I’d like to see the 2020 Buick encore GX hit the market the end of September, but of course that’s just wishful thinking.

    Reply
  9. I am actually surprised that Buick has done as well with the Encore and the new Regal has barely made a dent in sales. The wagon is actually a good looking car, but I guess the “stigma” associated with wagons has killed it! (Only Subaru seems to be a able to pull this off well)

    I believe Buick needs a another “HALO CAR!” The last one was the 1987 GNX Regal! Some so-called car collectors consider the GNX to be the ONLY collectible American automobile from the 80s. Supposedly, it was rumored that Chevrolet objected to the Regal T-Types and the GNX because they were faster than the Corvette – straight line only!

    I had read that Buick Engineers actually constructed a “one only” Reatta rear wheel drive “mule” with the 3800 V-6 turbo from the Regal. Having owned an ’89 Reatta, its performance was anemic at best and handling characteristics with its front wheel drive powertrain and 65:35 frt:rear weight bias added a new dimension to the term “UNDERSTEER!”

    I would really like to see Buick revived!!!

    Reply

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