![]() Steering itself feels numb and vague it doesn’t communicate where the nose and wheels are pointed at any given moment. ![]() ![]() There also aren’t any available driving modes to increase throttle or transmission response or to tighten up the suspension or steering. As it is, it’s just aggravating I’d recommend choosing an AWD model for this reason alone. The wheel would practically jump out of my hands trying to turn to one side under strong acceleration, which would be more forgivable if the Encore GX were impressively quick or at all fun to drive. There was so much torque steer - a phenomenon in which engine power applied to the front wheels causes them to pull to one side or the other. This caused one of my least favorite behaviors in the GX: torque steer. Passing maneuvers are a bit of a stretch, but once the Encore GX wakes up from its highway hypnosis, it does what you want.Īround town, particularly in the model I drove, with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission, you really need to stand on the gas to keep up with aggressive city traffic. It’s quiet on the highway and remains fairly composed at higher speeds despite its small size. It’s never going to be a quick car, but that’s almost certainly fine for those considering buying one. Related: Should You Buy a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer or Spend More for a 2020 Buick Encore GX? Blandness Punctuated by Occasional AnnoyanceĮven with its more powerful optional engine, the Encore GX still has only 155 horsepower, which isn’t many ponies to call upon when the accelerator is pressed. That’s a fair amount of money for a small SUV that, at its best, evoked feelings of “This car sure is … adequate.” The Encore GX competes against other small SUVs like the Mazda CX-30, our recent SUV-comparison-test-winning Kia Seltos, and a vehicle with which it shares its platform, the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Our test vehicle’s total price, including a $995 destination fee, was $34,115. The Convenience Package ($770) adds automatic parking assist, a rearview camera mirror and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The advanced technology in the Advanced Technology Package ($1,790) includes a 360-degree camera system, a head-up display and built-in navigation. The Sport Touring package ($650) adds a dash of spice, with body-colored side molding, “sport” front and rear bumpers, a unique grille with red accents and package-specific 18-inch wheels (different from the 18s every Encore GX gets standard). It had the optional turbo 1.3-liter engine and Buick’s Sport Touring, Convenience and Advanced Technology packages. My test vehicle was a FWD Encore GX in the top Essence trim. Trim levels, in ascending order, are Preferred, Select and Essence. The Encore GX with FWD has a continuously variable automatic transmission, while AWD versions get a more traditional nine-speed automatic. The Encore is smaller than both the Envision and Enclave and offers buyers a choice of front- or all-wheel drive and two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The Encore GX is Buick’s latest and second-smallest SUV, bigger only than the Encore, which was one of the first subcompact SUVs on the market and the brand’s bestseller. Versus the competition: Buick’s entry in the seemingly never-ending stream of small SUVs is outshined by others in the class that offer nicer interiors or far better driving experiences - or sometimes both - for thousands of dollars less. It gets the job done, though - assuming “the job” is mostly “being a little bigger than an Encore” (which remains in Buick’s lineup). The verdict: The new 2020 Buick Encore GX is a small, premium-priced SUV that feels neither premium nor exciting, with bland materials and a meek powertrain.
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