The 2020 Buick Encore GX debuted in North America just last year at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, dropping cover stateside after an initial reveal at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show. The new Buick Encore GX takes a spot between the “regular” Buick Encore and the Buick Envision with regard to Buick’s model cadence, making it a “subcompact plus” model that’s larger than a traditional subcompact B-segment vehicle, but smaller than a traditional C-segment vehicle. That means the GX is physically larger than the regular Encore. Nevertheless, the GX model is in fact lighter than the regular Encore.
Buick Encore GX
As GM Authority has uncovered, the 2020 Buick Encore GX carries a curb weight of 3,025 pounds (1,372 kg) in its lightest configuration. For those who are curious, the configuration in question is the base-level Preferred trim level, with front-wheel-drive and the turbocharged 1.2L LIH three-cylinder engine onboard for the powertrain and drivetrain. Output from the LIH is rated at 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, all of which is sent to the front wheels by way of a CVT.
“Regular” Buick Encore
Meanwhile, the lightest non-GX Buick Encore is also the base model with front-wheel-drive, tipping the scales with a curb weight of 3,237 pounds (1,468 kg). For those keeping score at home, that makes the larger Encore GX 212 pounds lighter than the regular Encore, which is quite significant, especially for models in the subcompact segment.
To note, the lightest Buick Encore is equipped with the turbocharged 1.4L LUV inline four-cylinder, which produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, and mates to a six-speed manual transmission.
Buick Encore GX
To summarize, the 2020 Buick Encore GX is not only larger than the regular Encore, but also has roughly the same horsepower, more torque, and a lower curb weight, not to mention more features as well.
It’s a similar situation when comparing the lightest 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer against the lightest Chevrolet Trax, as we covered previously. All told, these specs certainly bode well for GM’s latest crossover models. Stay tuned for more info soon, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Buick Encore GX news, Buick Encore news, Buick news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
GM has done a good job engineering the Buck Encore GX, removing a couple hundred pounds of weight, but keeping the horsepower and torque about the same.
OK, I am biased toward the 1941 – 1958 Special, Century, Super, Roadmaster, and Limited.
I acquired a taste for the 1962 – 1964 Electra 225.
Those are the Buicks of my childhood … long, roomy, powerful, comfortable, sometimes sleek, sometimes bulbous, but always impressive, and, in my family, inevitably black.
I know those days are gone forever, or, at least for the rest of my lifetime.
I can understand and even sympathize with the reasons for the demise of the gas guzzling, air polluting, land yachts of the past.
BUT A 3-CYLINDER BUICK???
And, on a somewhat practical level, how long can one of these high revving little buzz bomb motors last, compared to a modern, non-turbo or non-supercharged 6 or 8?
I lack the technical background to know, so my question is a real request for knowledge.
Thanks.
@Bryan: I am kind of in the same boat as you in terms of the older Buick’s. Mine may be just a little newer models in the 70 and 80’s. Anyhow…..
Going back a few years when I was a police officer in IL, I had a friend dispatcher for the Illinios State Police. He drove about 60 miles one way to his work post. For as long as I can recall, he drove a Chevrolet Metro with the 3 cyl. engine. He got fantastic MPG and it went for well over 200K the last time I knew. He may have driven that thing well into the 300K mark as far as I know, but in IL the snow/salt normally got the car before the engine would break.
My point is that the 3 cyl is not the issue for me personally. I just don’t care for the CVT trans. I’d rather they went with the new 3 cyl but kept the current 6 speed auto that I have in my 2018. Being 2020, I personally feel the reliability is just fine and it will do well. Ford has been using a 3 cyl engine now for several years here in the USA and even longer overseas.
@Dan Berning: Thanks for your reply!
And now that you mention it, the various permutations of the Electra 225 (Limited, Park Avenue, etc.) from 1967 – 1976 and 1980 – 1984 still had the presence and stature I thought a Buick should possess.
For some reason, I thought the 1959 -1961 and 1965 – 1966 cars looked somehow diminished compared to their immediate predecessors, and the 1969 – 1970 overwrought.
As for all of the above:
1. I know: Nobody cares.
2. My opinion. Other opinions may differ.
3. In no way are my opinions intended to insult, denigrate, question, or challenge the opinions of others.
4. Regardless of year, model, or equipment, a resounding YES! to the question “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?”
@Bryan: To your number 4? Why yes, I would! In fact, I just so happen to have two of them! I have my 2018 Encore that I purchased brand new. Absolutely love it and I truly believe that anyone who hasn’t tried a 2017 to 2020 Encore really should. Personally I work in the fleet/internet department at a Volvo and Mazda store now, and I can say with great confidence that my Encore is better than anything from Mazda and it stands toe to toe with the smaller Volvo. My second Buick is a 2006 Lucerne CXL V8 that I picked up about 4 months ago. Very clean and runs so nice with only 162K on the clock. Yes, the Northstar V8 has seen it’s issues and yes, mine does have the typical oil drips under the car. But I’d prefer to get in that and drive from coast to coast rather than a lot of cars including the a brand new 2020 Volvo S90! Maybe it’s because the Lucerne kind of reminds me of the old “bigger” Buick’s of an age past? Maybe it’s just that sound and feel of the V8? Don’t know, but love to get in it and drive.
3 cyl engine NO made in China NO no Buick sedans in America NO 3 strikes GM your OUT
TomG.
On the bright side, Ford Authority is looking for more readers. You should give it a try.
Bryan – the little four-cylinder buzzbomb in our ’14 Encore has 108K on it so far. PCV valve replacement, purge solenoid replacement and new engine cam cover are all of the mechanical work it’s needed so far. All else has been fluid changes, new wipers, filters, tires, battery, etc. We’ll probably keep it into 2021 or 2022 before trading it.
Thanks, Southpaw!
I greatly value and appreciate the input of people who have experience.
Bryan.
One has to wonder about the NVH (Noise/Vibration/Harshness) of the turbocharged 1.2L LIH three-cylinder engine which needs to work hard to move a 3,000-pound vehicle or the logic of matching the turbocharged 1.4L LUV inline four-cylinder which produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque with only a 6-speed manual transmission.
@omegatalon: I’m not sure if I’m following your post. What manual are you referring to? Or is that a typo? What do you mean by the “logic” of the 1.4L mated to the 6 speed? Help me there.
From what (little) I’ve seen and read about this new (to us) 3 cyl, it’s quiet and smooth. I’ve read about other 3 cyl engines being very good in that department too. Lastly, can you or someone help me on something? You said it above and I’ve read this before where people talk about the 3 cyl having to “work hard” to move the car. However, the HP is about the same as the 1.4L 4cyl and the torque is higher. So my question is: What difference does it make if it’s a 3, 4, 5 or 6 cyl? If you take the very good 3800 V6 engine from years ago, it was not much different in HP/Torque from this more powerful 3 cyl offered on this GX. Am I missing something? Why should it matter? Thanks.
By working harder a turbo 3 or 4 cylinder engine means it has to rev more in some circumstances to make the power and have higher cylinder heat and pressure and thus more stress on internal moving parts like pistons, rings, cylinder walls, connecting rods etc. That was why in years past turbo engines had lower compression ratios. Comparing an old pushrod 3800 to one of these new little 3 pots sees the 3800 making up to 50 more hp and more importantly around 48 additional LBS FT of torque all at a lower RPM with no turbo! That 3800 torque is on tap right off idle. This is one of several reasons manufacturers are using CVT’s and 8-10 speed automatic transmissions on these little tiny motors which helps keep them in their power band better with less drop in revs between gears.
Note that the 6 speed manual is a typo for the Encore as only a 6 speed auto is available. I’m really surprised that with all the effort they put into the new Encore GX with less weight, a new 3 cylinder engine, CVT’s and 9 speed automatics and even exterior aerodynamic helpers that the only return is 2 city MPG up from 24 on the old 4 cylinder model to 26 on the new GX. The highway figure remains at a dismal 30 on FWD versions and 29 with AWD which is another suggestion that these engines are working harder to move these higher riding vehicles around than the old traditional NA motors with larger displacement.
Joe Yoman,
Thank you for your reply concerning the 3 (and 4) cylinder engines having to “work harder” to develop horsepower and torque.
I had long suspected that to be the case, and even saw Scotty Kilmer’s YouTube segments on the topic, but I couldn’t remember the details clearly enough to restate them here.
Thanks again.
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