General Motors introduced the Buick Encore GX for the 2020 model year as a “subcompact-plus” offering, slotting the fresh entry between the subcompact Buick Encore and the compact Buick Envision with regard to the brand’s crossover lineup. Now, according to a new report from Automotive News, the Encore GX is poised to overtake the smaller Encore as Buick’s top-selling model in the U.S.
In the lead-up to the debut of the 2020 Buick Encore GX, General Motors revised the standard Encore lineup with a reduction of available trim levels, deleting the FWD Preferred II 1SD model, the AWD Preferred II 1SD model, the FWD Premium 1SN model, and the AWD Premium 1SN model with the 2019 model year changeover. Now, with its greater variety of options, trim levels, and a starting price that’s $900 above that of the standard Encore, the Encore GX is the more profitable model.
What’s more, the Buick Encore GX’s “subcompact-plus” sizing lends it an interesting position in the otherwise crowded small crossover segment, one which customers have responded to.
“We’re really focused on that space right between the premium small-SUV space and the lower end of the compact-SUV space,” said Buick marketing manager, Rob Peterson. According to the recent Automotive News report, Peterson said that GM believes the positioning could see the industry add 1.5 million incremental sales.
“We think we’ve got the right product to kind of squeeze in there and grab the necessary volume for Buick to be successful,” Peterson added.
Some dealers anticipate the Buick Encore GX to overtake the Encore in terms of volume very soon. Bob Simmons, executive general manager at LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC of Highland, LaFontaine Buick GMC of Lansing, and LaFontaine Buick GMC of Ann Arbor, told Automotive News that he expects a 60/40 sales mix between the Buick Encore GX and Buick Encore, respectively.
Despite the similarities in naming, the 2020 Buick Encore GX is actually completely different from the standard Encore. The Buick Encore GX rides on the VSS-F vehicle set, whereas the 2020 Buick Encore rides on the GM Gamma 2 platform. The Buick Encore GX offers two engine options, namely the turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH and turbocharged 1.3L I3 L3T, while the standard Encore is only available with the turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV.
Then there are the styling differences, weight differences, and dimensional differences, all of which GM Authority has covered at length in previous posts.
Buick Encore GX
Buick Encore
That said, both models are produced at the GM Bupyeong plant in South Korea.
Which model do you prefer – the Buick Encore GX, or the standard Buick Encore? Let us know by voting in the poll, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Buick Encore news, Buick news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I was surprised by some of the options that the 2020 Buick Encore GX had like automatic parallel parking as Buick decided to run a TV commercial to promote this feature; sales may improve if Buick did some commercials to promote their vehicles as small things like the automatic parallel parking could make the difference whether a car is purchased.
Built in Korea. Say no more.
I agree. They clearly know how to build good cars in Korea these days. Good for them.
Korean cars have arrived. Exceptional reliability, driving dynamics, build quality…all first rate. GM Korea joins brands like KIA and Hyundai as an exceptional value. I own a new Chevrolet Spark and I am incredibly happy with the vehicle. I’ve owned many Honda’s and Toyota’s and the Spark holds it’s ground against Japanese competition. In fact, my siblings have been buying Hyundai’s and KIA’s for the past decade and continue to purchase them. Bulletproof reliable and a great value.
GX is very nice as is the uber-beautiful Chinese GEM Encore.
Old Encore is ugly except for those awesome daytime running lights.
I prefer Buick to Cadillac. New Envision is best in class outdoing even Audi and Benz styling.
Except my dealer keeps scaring/reminding me that the 2021 Encore GX I ordered factory built in mid July won’t arrive here until “late in the year” meaning December! Bummer!
Couldn’t they have given the newer one a new different name to minimize confusing the two?
GM marketing seems to be behind the curve.
My 2015 Encore has $3000 worth of issues that all happened after the 4 year warranty. Under 25,000 miles. A turbo issue which many owners speak of and coolant leaks and such. And to think this is the more ‘reliable’ of Buicks.
Going back to Toyota when I can.
It’s good they see this model is selling so well, now they need to slide a slightly larger more powerful model to GMC. Seems they have the right formula, but those engine choices will keep me looking at other options.
Does anyone know who makes the CVT transmission for the Encore GX? If it is made by the same company that supplies the CVT I probably will not buy one. The CVT in the Nissan models have a poor reputation for reliability . Also it seems from reading various articles on the current Encore that it is on its way out. Will there be a replacement? I am thinking of looking into a CPO Encore from 2017 to 2020 in another few years to replace my current vehicle. Keeping my options open though a want to see how the Encore GX holds up