Used 2020 Buick Encore GX for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2020 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 7.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 751 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

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, which points to broad appeal for shoppers who want a more spacious, more upscale, and more powerful take on Buick’s subcompact SUV formula. It is described as slightly larger than the Encore, with more interior space and more powerful engines, so it directly addresses two of the Encore’s biggest shortcomings.

The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is still fairly pedestrian, and value for the money is described as poor. Even so, if you want a small crossover with easy-to-use technology and standard advanced safety features, this one fits that use case well.

Good and great deals: 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX reliable?

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

The Encore GX is presented as a more mature, better-executed version of Buick’s small SUV idea, with a cabin that feels carefully finished and a driving experience that is smooth and composed. Its standard 1.2-liter turbocharged engine and available 1.3-liter turbocharged engine are described as confident for their size, and the auto-stop/start system is noted as seamless.

The most efficient setup is the 1.3-liter engine with front-wheel drive, which returns 30 mpg city, 32 highway, 31 combined. That efficiency, plus the straightforward infotainment and standard safety tech, supports an ownership experience that should be easy to live with.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the model’s value proposition is weak, so you should be especially careful to buy a clean, well-maintained example.

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

At 74.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim level being advertised. Because this model has a meaningful share of accident history in the market, condition matters more than usual.

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, a 120-volt outlet, and an eight-way power front passenger seat, though it lacks adjustable seatback on that seat.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque is also available, and it can be paired with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The standard touchscreen system includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available tech includes wireless charging, navigation, rear camera mirror, and a head-up display.
• Fuel efficiency: The most efficient setup returns 30 mpg city, 32 highway, 31 combined. The 1.2-liter front-wheel-drive setup returns 26 mpg city, 30 highway, 28 combined, and the 1.3-liter all-wheel-drive setup 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, and the full suite of standard driver-assistance features. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model and can live without the extra comfort upgrades.
• Select: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the features that most improve daily comfort, including heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, roof rails, SiriusXM, and a power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment.
• Essence: This is the most upscale version, with leather seating, LED head- and taillights, chrome accents, and a power front passenger seat. It suits you best if you want the most premium-feeling Encore GX, but it is also the least value-focused choice.

The standard safety package includes forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and the Teen Driver System, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert remain optional.

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 with some leverage if you stay disciplined.

• Deal availability: 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 751 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,009, 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 $16,016 sits slightly below last year's $17,264.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later. The model’s weaker value-for-money reputation also means future resale will likely depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim.

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, and optional safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system.

That standard safety content is a real strength, especially on the Preferred trim, where you already get the core driver-assistance suite without needing to move up. If you want the most complete safety setup, you’ll want to look for a car equipped with the optional blind-spot and rear cross-traffic features.

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:

• 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings more interior space, more powerful engines, and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,596, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $16,016 average.
• It adds a quieter cabin and a more refined everyday feel.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter buy because prices are softer and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to pay more for a slightly newer example with a quieter cabin, the 2021 is the secondary path worth considering.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.