Buick unveiled not one but two all-new Encore SUVs
at the Shanghai Auto Show last month but only one of them is coming Stateside. The GM brand has announced that
the Encore GX compact crossover is coming to the U.S. in early 2020, expanding
its SUV family to four models across the most popular segments: small, compact,
and midsize. This confirms a report from a month ago.
Buick says the Encore GX will be positioned between
the smaller Encore (the existing model, not the new one unveiled in China) and
the larger Envision and Enclave models. Styling-wise, the US-spec Encore
GX pretty much looks like the Chinese version except for the sportier bumpers,
body-colored plastic cladding, and red accents on the grille and fascias —
although these could be trim level-specific features. Inside, the compact SUV
looks contemporary and upscale thanks to the two-tone treatment, big center
touchscreen neatly integrated into the dash, and the sporty multifunction
steering wheel.
The automaker didn’t reveal details about
powertrains but said the Encore GX will offer “spirited and efficient
performance.” Buick did say that the Encore GX has a cargo space that’s almost 141.5 liters larger than the Encore and about 84.9
liters smaller than the Envision.
The compact SUV also comes with new standard safety
and driver assistance features including Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic
Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Keep Assist with Lane
Departure Warning. The 2020 Encore GX will also offer the Enclave’s Rear Camera
Mirror system and High Definition Surround Vision camera system.
Buick said it will reveal product specifications and
pricing when the Encore GX begins arriving at U.S. dealers.
