The 2020 Buick Encore GX is an all-new model, despite sharing its name with the smaller Encore. Comparing it to the old Encore, the GX is a massive improvement and a major surprise from the Buick brand. The exterior looks much more attractive and for a subcompact crossover, the interior feels plenty roomy. It also packs tons of impressive tech features, including self-parking, Amazon Alexa integration, and for the 2021 model year, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Though its pair of three-cylinder engines leave a bit to be desired in terms of performance, the Encore GX rides nicely and we came away surprisingly enamored by its continuously variable transmission. The Encore GX drastically undercuts all premium crossovers on price, starting at $24,100 and topping out over $30,000.
General Motors won last year’s inaugural Surprise of the Year award with the Chevy Blazer and hopes to make it two in a row with the Buick Encore GX.