Used 2020 Buick Encore GX for Sale nearHouston, TX

How much does the 2020 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 7.01% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 704 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Buick Encore GX earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

It stands out as a more spacious, more upscale, and more powerful take on the Encore, with a longer wheelbase and revised bodywork that give it a more substantial feel. That makes it a good fit if you want a small crossover that feels a bit more refined and practical than its size suggests.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, and value for money is weak. Even so, the easy-to-use technology and standard advanced safety features help offset some of that downside.

With 31.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Encore GX is described as a refined small crossover with more interior space and more powerful engines than the Encore it resembles. That combination suggests a vehicle built to address the practical complaints shoppers had about the smaller model.

Its powertrain is described as smooth overall, with responsive steering and a suspension that handles bumps and potholes nicely. The 1.3-liter engine is also called solid for its size, even if it never feels brisk.

The most efficient version is the 1.3-liter engine with front-wheel drive, which returns 30 mpg city, 32 highway, 31 combined. That efficiency can help keep ownership costs manageable over time.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a higher-mileage example may show the effects of its modest powertrain and value-focused positioning more than a more expensive rival would.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Buick Encore GX?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a proper inspection. Focus on overall condition, especially signs of wear that could matter more on a small crossover that was positioned as a value play.

A test drive should confirm that the transmission, brakes, and steering feel consistent, and you should make sure the cabin electronics work as expected. Since this model leans on technology and safety equipment, those systems deserve extra attention.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Preferred includes 18-inch aluminum wheels, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, remote keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Select adds roof rails, remote start, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a ten-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment. The Essence adds chrome bumper accents, LED head- and taillights, leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 120-volt power outlet, but it is missing adjustable seatback on the front passenger seat.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The available 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder makes 155 hp and 174 lb-ft with front-wheel drive, or 162 pound-feet with all-wheel drive. The 1.3-liter is the stronger choice, while the 1.2-liter is the efficiency-first option.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, following distance indicator, and the Teen Driver System. Blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert are optional, so you should confirm whether a used example has them.
• Infotainment: The standard touchscreen system includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available upgrades include wireless charging, navigation, and a rear camera mirror.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.3-liter front-wheel-drive setup returns 30 mpg city, 32 highway, 31 combined. The 1.2-liter front-wheel-drive engine returns 26 mpg city, 30 highway, 28 combined. The 1.3-liter all-wheel-drive version returns 26 mpg city, 29 highway, 28 combined.

Which 2020 Buick Encore GX trim should I buy?

The 2020 Buick Encore GX is offered in 3 trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence.

Here's the short version:

• Preferred: This is the entry point, but it still gives you a strong equipment list, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic climate control, push-button start, and the full standard safety suite. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model without giving up the core tech and safety features.
• Select: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, roof rails, SiriusXM, and a power driver’s seat. If you want a more comfortable daily driver without jumping to the top trim, this is the sweet spot.
• Essence: This trim brings the most upscale feel with leather seating, LED head- and taillights, chrome accents, and a power front passenger seat. It is the right pick if you want the most premium cabin, but it also carries the weakest value proposition.

The standard safety package is already strong on the Preferred, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Buick Encore GX?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 31.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 704 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.01% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,040, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Buick Encore GX's resale value?

The current average of $16,137 sits slightly below last year's $17,353.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can make the model easier to buy now but may also limit upside for a future seller. If you purchase at a strong price, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger hit later.

The Encore GX’s higher base price and mixed value reputation can work against resale strength, especially if your example lacks desirable equipment. On the other hand, its strong technology and safety content help keep it relevant to used shoppers.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX safe?

The 2020 Buick Encore GX earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

It comes standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver System is also standard, which lets you set speed and volume limits for a secondary set of keys.

Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. If you are shopping used, it is worth confirming whether those extras are installed, since they are not standard on every example.

Should I buy a 2020 Buick Encore GX or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 31.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.01% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings standard advanced safety features and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,954, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $16,137 average.
• It offers a more refined-feeling small SUV with quiet-cabin appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter buy because prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you are willing to pay more for a slightly newer example, the 2021 is the secondary path for buyers who prioritize refinement over price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.