The 2020 Buick Encore GX ST is a Surprisingly Pleasant New SUV 

My girl got this... and lovessssss it. She wanted little more premium, and quiet drive ( she gets migraines) so this car was a perfect fit. It has a presence of a bigger suv. More envision then encore.

Glad to see the infotainment screen is integrated into the dash. 👍 The stuck on tablet trend is awful.

It's a miracle! Separate amber rear indicator lights on a GM product!

Imagine his neighbors when he has an R8 and an Encore in his driveway.. LOL

This is the most praise I've seen sofyan give a Buick!

I can't believe it's a Buick! Um...I actually like it.

I bought the 2020 top trim in December and o absolutely love my car. I don’t have any issues with power at all, probably thanks to the turbo. It gets up to speed just fine and I tend to average about 85 mph for longer stretches on the highway. I never feel nervous merging on. All the safety features work great! The 360 cameras are amazing but I could have done without the self parking as I have not even needed to use it with the 360 cameras. I’ve averaged about 24 mpg city driving (DC). Very smooth ride and feels premium. I have the 9 speed automatic so cannot speak for the CVT numbers. This was my first new car purchase and I am beyond pleased. I was between this and the Kia Seltos but chose this because it looks and feels more premium and came with the 360 cameras. The rear view camera is amazing too! I suggest this for anyone wanting something small and premium and isn’t too obsessed with “power”. Again this has more than enough power for the average person. Edited to add: the auto-lift trunk feature is tricky. I’m still trying to figure out where exactly to put my foot LOL probably user error though. It’s easier when the Buick emblem is lit at night so I can see it.

The Encore GX in this ST trim with the extended body color looks waaayyyy better than the regular Encore

My inner elderly woman is going crazy for this!

Just got one of these for my daughter primarily but also for my wife to use on occasion. Got the loaded ST-trim Essence AWD. My daughter had a regular Encore before and wanted something a little nicer and only slightly larger. This fits the bill. The 1.3 3-cylinder might not seem like enough power but it has 174 ft-lbs of torque at very low RPM that makes it feel lively around town. Quality seems very good and it is completely laded with modern tech and features. Good LED lights, wireless CarPlay and AA, comfy leather seats, HUD, ACC, pano roof, good sound system, full safety suite, 9-speed auto with selectable AWD. My only complaint is it can get pricey but with Buick incentives this completely loaded model was low 30s. I would love to see a proper ST/GS (STx, STr?) version. Make it AWD only with the 9-speed auto and the 2.0T. Give it a minor wheel/tire upgrade and tune the suspension a bit. It would be a fun, and proper hot-hatch competitor and capture some more of the younger attention.

I took a lengthy solo test drive couple of months ago and let’s just say I was very impressed with vehicle itself. The door definitely has some heft to it and closes with a solid feel. It has great drive ability and handles well for day to day driving and able to get out of the way very quickly on merging into fast moving traffic. The model I test drove was the Select trim with ST package along with advanced technology package.

It's the first time I see you get lot of surprises!!!Nice review man

I Love my new Encore GX..

I have a GX with the AWD and the preferred package. With the 1.3 and the 9-speed, I usually get an MPG of low 30's mixed city driving, even though it's rated 26-29, which is awesome, especially being in the northeast!! I believe you also forgot to mention that the passenger seat can fully fold forward for more room or use as a mini work-station table. Other key differences is having no power tailgate (no button on the remote either which I kind of want to have), manual climate but still have the heated seats, intellelink doesn't have navigation or multiple users (but can support multiple phones connected at the same time), no heads up display (but red lights that blink in that spot if anti-collision alert starts), different rims, no AC power outlet (which I want). As for me, it doesn't have everything, but I don't need everything, and it's a good size for me and what I need right now.

This car is literally using the same power train as a washing machine. I need to get my Bingo card ready for the issues the 3 cylinder will be recalled for.

I just purchased the Encore GX ST on Saturday and I really like it!

Buick should’ve definitely called this model “Rainier”

Thank u so much I am really considering this vehicle and u helped out so much! Love ur reviews!

After several months of looking at several small crossovers - including the Escape, the CR-V, the Cherokee and Renegade, the Envision, and the Mazda CX-5, my wife ended up really falling for this little bugger and drove one home. It's small (it's 181 inches long, one in longer than my Boxster), has a small wheelbase and turning radius, and is a breeze to park in a parking ramp. She has the package with the parking features, including a great birds-eye view and backup camera as well as the self-parking capability. I drove it for a day, and after spending time with it, I actually fell for it too. I was looking to downsize and get something quiet and comfortable for commuting, and ended up getting one for myself. Don't sleep on Buick!

Great stuff man!!, I bet you can't wait to get your hands on the all new 2021 next gen Envision, that model is a galaxy above anything Buick has made and can really be a high end, premium vehicle and shows where Buick can be heading down the road in terms of high end nature.

Great review, pretty much the only objective and non-biased one I’ve seen! I’ve owned a 2021 GX since April 2021 and I love it. 10,000 miles in - owned a 2019 Tiguan / 2019 Santa Fe previously, ask me anything! This car gets a lot of hate for 0 reason. Good handling, fun off the line and plenty of power for merging, no CVT for me, awd, and I paid 21,9 before the chip shortage, because nobody pays sticker for GM (well maybe now…)

Encore's are so popular b/c they're easy to get financed for. They're always on discount so it's easy to roll negative equity into. People will come to look at a used car but can't get approved but will often be approved for an encore.

Outstanding review. Top notch super duper professionalism.

$34,000? Add the sunroof package and 4 wheel drive and your the same price as a Mazda CX-5 Turbo models. A much, much nicer car.

Nice review as usual, I like this car, l’m putting it on my shopping list.

How do you decide the order of reviews and releases? The R8 review video in the background was released like a week or two ago...

A 155hp 3 cylinder with a cvt for over $30k? I really hope the average american buyer isn't stupid enough to buy this thing. The interior was covered in cheap piano black plastic too.

I've had mine just over a month, love the little thing. I liked the interior as well as the looks. I've been getting 43 mpg on the highway, 38 mpg average with city driving. I'm big, it comfortable to drive, plenty of room for big men. Glad I got mine, same bright red.

Sofyan, I'm curious, have you ever got any speeding tickets? LOL.

I have fallen in love with the Kia Seltos over the last year . . . and then, over the last month or so, I've discover the Encore GX. It may be the best looking sub-compact/compact CUV out there and the interior is very attractive. The 1.3 seems to be the only way to go, and I would have to drive the CVT and the 9A back to back to get a feel for which I would like (and as a general CVT 'hater', I am shocked to be saying that) . . . thanx for the clear and complete video, Sofyan. Not buying soon, but I will watch the developing story of the Buick Encore GX with great interest! p.s.: Hey, Buick . . . how about colour-coding the plastic pieces in the wheels with the colour of the car. Just sayin, it would look cool!

Video iss great. Keeep UP with good work xD .

I’d just discontinue the encore and just offer the encore GX. Put in a 2.0 liter turbo and 10 speed auto and name it the Encore GX Grand National.

Wife loves these, just showed her this review and we'll probably be picking one up in a week or so... She likes these little things for some reason lol. I actually think the Mazda looks cooler but she didn't like the ride when we test drove, and she thought the Kia Seltos was ugly so we never even went to check one out. Might show her the Honda HRV but I think the Buick looks better and will probably be a better deal price-wise.

Your RL channel Rocks !!! Have U RL Research BMW X6 ???Thank U for your professional overview 👍👍👍

One of my friends has it and trust me it's a reliable vehicle. Buick has nailed it in the recent times. However, the issues that GM is facing is that people are going for small. regular and big SUV's and their line of pick ups are rotting as RAM is dominating the market in lieu of pick ups.

Hey Sofyan, I'm curious why the Buick badge on the steering wheel is monochrome... all other GXs I've seen have the tri-color badge. Any idea?

Looking for 2021 envision. That car looks sharp.

I don't understand how and why shows like Motoring TV are still on the air when this is on RU-vid. Your reviews are always in very good depth, and you know other cars, and can give good comparisons. Meanwhile on MTV they take cars through a slalom in a parking lot, and not much else. No word of a lie. Isn't there a TV market for this?

I don’t like how he came in on the intro...so damn hot...nice shorts too bro lmao 😂

Love that two tone so elegant 😍 looking

Grabbed the copper colored one! It’s very nice watch out the “extras” don’t come so standard. No power lift gate, no parking tech package, no Boss or special rear mirror even when you pay for the Essence package.

I think Cadillac should build also a version of this crossover. So they could also win new, young and especially european buyers to their brand ^^

Mighty bold choice in shorts, my friend.

It's got potential. I would like to see them put a more performance-oriented power train in it. But, I would agree, it's a good offering from GM with room for improvement.

Just make the turn signal LED too. This vehicle looks good tho

Soyfan, your expectations were very low. That's why you kinda liked it. That thing is expensive. Mazda and Hyundai/Kia are on a different league. Plus, it's a GM. With a CVT and a 3 cylinder engine.

I've been hearing reviewers for the past decade saying "i wasn't expecting to be impressed, but this impresses me..." ya ya ya etc etc. When are they going to realize GM makes a great vehicle?

Great review!!!! 😃😃😃

On the top package of the other encore was full LED lights. Sad they went backwards with this one

Sofyan I have to ask where do you get your shorts? I'm a fellow short dude.

Wouldn't pick it over the CX-30

The EPA rating for the 1.3 FWD with CVT is 30 city 32 highway.

I feel like the front end has a fair bit going on, but overall it does look rather nice. Wont see it here in Aus, but thats okay.

What a beauty😍

GM execs: “make Buick be more like Audi” GM designers: “lets add faux exhaust”

I wonder if the cvt would be faster than the 9sp being fwd.

They discontinued the Buick Regal?!? ☹️☹️☹️!!! My mom had one in the 80’s. Great review! 👍🏾!

A three cylinder and it was getting 25 mpg????

I'm renting one and I'm planning to own one because it's so good I didn't know that I needed in my life. But I am dead serious though it's a good crossover.

Wonder how long that engine will last 🤔

Just purchased one of these for my mother. Very nice size and features for the money ... including heavy GM discounts, mind you. A unique size at 171 inches, we needed something in that range because of her small garage and this has excellent space including the fold down passenger seat. Very nice power liftgate and easy to use infotainment along with dual climate and a pano. Don't denigrate the 3 cylinder until you try it, the 1.3L is surprisingly up to the challenge without sacrificing reduced interior db. It was my greatest concern about this vehicle and the test drive proved it wasn't an issue. Interior quality and comfort is much better than the Korean competition we saw and even a little better than the Mazda ... on par with Subaru.

I really wanted to like this car. Changes that would get me to buy it: 1. Hybrid engine. 2. Lane centering assist. 3. Cooled seats. 4. Wireless android auto. 5. Bigger infotainment screen. 6. Digital dash.

Yes.... You got my attention, I will consider it but will i buy it......? 🤷 Great review tho 👍

Bro that Audi R8 just chilling in the background

Next up for Buick: 800cc twin turbo charged inline 3 engine with a CVT Edit: Actually, more like: 500cc quad turbocharged inline 2 cylinder engine with a CVT

Can anyone confirm that the dreaded auto stop/start feature on this GX is actually OFF by default, but can be turned ON if the driver wants to get slightly better mpg? A reviewer of the sister vehicle (Chevy Trailblazer with same engine/CVT) said that it is OFF by default (the way all newer vehicles should offer it).

Funny thing, the korean spec trailblazer actually has cooled seats too, and those empty buttons are actually where they go

Love this car!

Are you going to drive the 9 speed?

Thank you Buick for the integrated multimedia screen and the regular shifter!

It's, "Excitement" would've been better with Pontiac badging... 🙄

Everything buick makes is good looking and dependable.

Fuel Economy is bad. I mean it’s a 1.3 come on lol.

Casual Audi R8 V10 in the background. Definitely more pleasant than this I'd imagine. 😎

Please review the 2021 Buick Envision

Did he ever open the cargo area?

My mom has the encore. I told her I wanted this 💀

Opel ?

One question why does the horn go off every time you shut the doors?

First car I ever owned close to 35 years ago was a Buick. Those repair bills weren't erased until I finally went bankrupt in 96. Now older and a lot wiser many years later, I have an 850 FICO and drive a Q5. Between the 2015 Q3 and 2018 Q5 I've put exactly one set of tires. You won't see me driving GM. Hard lessons were learned early on when it comes to quality.

Is this a buick encore select gx st or essence gx st?

that r8 in the background :drool:

Good looking buick. Wish it came in a v6.

Wonder if this thing will eventually get a Honda turbo 4.

Nice Opel Grandland X... Europe has had those since 2017 😅

After test driving the cx30 and Honda hrv I decided on this one. It fit my needs the best. Was able to get the essence trim loaded for $30k (w/my trade). So far I love it and am very happy with my choice. It’s plenty fast fast enough for me and the tech is really well thought out and useful. It’s the perfect size for the city.

Nicely done

I was hoping he would drive the Buick to that Audi in the background and switch vehicles. (But he's made a video on that Audi so I am still satisfied) Lol

Does that cost a lot like the fully loaded Encore. That's one cub I hate because of the price , it's not worth the money.

I just can't imagine why someone would even walk on a Buick lot for this over the Japanese and Korean competition. And at $34,000, that's just absurd! As usual, great review though.

When it accelerates, "It does not sound like trash". It that supposed to be a compliment?

Nice looking little trucklet.

My crush at my local Dutch bros has this in black and it looks good in person

Take a shot every time he says “handsome”

This is an Opel Grandland in Europe! And it sells like hot cakes over here. Eventough Opel is now owned by Peugeot and we now have PSA engines.

It looks nice on the outside. But the interior is meh, and it's a 3 cylinder? I'm good. They easily could put a four cylinder without a turbo/supercharger and it would do well.

10:35 27/30 mpg? One of those three cylinders has a drinking problem!

That is sharp!!

Is that the new Alexa?

I thought the american market would prefer a 3.6 liter v6 version for a st package