2020 Lexus GX vs 2020 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than the standard Encore in nearly every dimension. It was 2.7 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and 1.8 inches taller, with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase and a wider front and rear track. Buick put significant effort into revising the exterior styling of the GX, featuring a much larger grille, revised headlights and taillights, and a completely reworked rear end. This gave the Encore GX a more mature and complete appearance compared to the stubby, notchy look of the Encore.

Inside, the Encore GX's cabin appeared similar to the smaller Encore at first glance, but closer inspection revealed a high level of care, style, and fit and finish. While not as upscale as the Mazda CX-30, it felt nicer than the Hyundai Kona. The trim levels for the Encore GX included Preferred, Select, and Essence. The Preferred trim came with 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. It also included a full suite of driver assistance features.

The Select trim added 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 top-tier Essence trim featured unique front and rear chrome bumper accents, LED head- and taillights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seating, and a 120-volt wall-style power outlet. It also had an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, though it lacked an adjustable seatback. The Essence test vehicle also featured the ST package, which included a unique grille, 18-inch wheels, a sporty lower front spoiler, side skirts, and extended rear bumper with red accents.

The 2020 Lexus GX, introduced in 2002 and redesigned for the 2010 model year, continued into 2020 with some new design tweaks. The updated GX adopted the hourglass grille design seen across the Lexus lineup. Despite the new front end and headlights, the GX remained a decade-old vehicle, sharing a platform with the Toyota 4Runner. This rugged capability allowed the GX to remain relevant despite its age.

Inside, the GX's cabin looked unchanged from a decade ago, featuring a large, chunky center console with big buttons and a recessed infotainment screen. This design was practical for rough-and-tumble SUVs, allowing controls to be operated while wearing work gloves. The GX was available in three trims: the 460, the 460 Premium, and the 460 Luxury. The 460 trim included 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, push-button start, automatic climate control, and a power sunroof, along with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The Premium trim added rain-sensing windshield wipers, 3-zone automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors, LED fog lights, wood and aluminum cabin accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. It also included navigation and apps like Yelp and iHeartRadio. The Luxury trim featured premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, self-leveling air suspension, and power-folding/reclining third-row seats. The test model also had an optional rear-seat entertainment system with dual seatback screens, headphones, and a remote.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup. The test model featured a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, making 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, sent through a CVT to the front wheels. This engine was available with all-wheel drive (AWD), which came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and reduced torque to 162 pound-feet.

The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it was never brisk. The three-cylinder engine was a bit rough, and the nine-speed automatic sometimes felt bogged down until the accelerator was pressed hard. The auto-stop/start system was seamless but would have been better paired with a smoother powerplant. Despite occasional vibrations, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive and well-weighted steering. The suspension absorbed bumps well, and the Encore GX handled corners with confidence, offering a composed ride at higher speeds.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). While modern V6 and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines could exceed these figures, the V8 offered an unmistakable swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's steering was light but direct and responsive, tightening up on main roads and highways.

The test model featured a self-leveling air suspension, providing a smooth yet composed ride. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with various 4WD modes, adjustable suspension height, and Downhill Assist Control. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, its fuel economy was unimpressive, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. In a week of combined driving, an average of 16.3 mpg was observed.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered more space in the rear seats and cargo area compared to the standard Encore. The rear doors were larger, and the rear seat's legroom and headroom were increased. With the rear seats up, the Encore GX had 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the standard Encore but less than the larger Buick Envision. The rear legroom allowed the rear seats to fold down without moving the front seats. The rear load floor could be lowered by removing small dividers, creating more space.

During a week with the Encore GX, it accommodated three full-size golf bags and their owners comfortably. The front shifter was moved to the left of the center console, creating additional trays and cubby space. The in-door cubbies were deep, and the cup holders were designed for large water bottles. The center console compartment was deep, but the space ahead of it was more useful for everyday driving.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The captain’s chairs provided a small access way to the third row and a natural barrier between kids. However, getting into the third row was challenging for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery.

The GX had a unique side-opening rear hatch, which was not particularly advantageous. However, it did have a separately opening rear window/hatch, allowing items to be placed in the rear cargo area without opening the entire hatch.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a crisp and responsive layout. The main menu items could be customized, and the presets could hold contacts, addresses, and radio stations. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Options included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. The test car had a head-up display (HUD) projected via a small plastic display from the dash, which was a cost-cutting measure but felt clunky.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, featuring the last generation of Lexus Enform. It was a true touchscreen, flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. This layout was simpler than modern Lexus systems but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite this tradeoff, many drivers might prefer the simplicity of this system.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. It also included the Teen Driver System, allowing speed and volume limitations for a secondary set of keys. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The test model had a surround-view camera system, providing clear images and helpful angles for parking.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also had blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX offered great visibility with large windows and mirrors, enhancing safety.