2020 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than the Encore in nearly every aspect. 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 a surprising amount of effort into revising the exterior styling of the GX, featuring a much larger grille, revised headlights and taillights, and a completely reworked rear end. The Encore GX had a more mature and complete overall appearance compared to the stubby, notchy look of the Encore.

Inside, the Encore GX's cabin looked similar to the smaller Encore at first glance, but closer examination revealed a tremendous amount of care, style, and fit and finish. Though not as upscale as the interior of the new Mazda CX-30, it felt nicer than that of the Hyundai Kona. The trim levels for the Encore GX were Preferred, Select, and Essence, each adding more features and luxury as you moved up the range.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was the largest of four SUVs that Buick sold, and by a wide margin. It was a big, shiny, impressive, American-made SUV that tethered Buick to its glorious past while addressing consumer preferences for SUVs. The Enclave was available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with pricing ranging from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. Competing with higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and lower-priced versions of luxury models, the Enclave had the looks to take on premium-priced SUVs. The Avenir trim added extra presence through a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and unique 20-inch wheels with a polished finish.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, and tasteful polished accents. Soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather imparted a sense of luxury, though the wood was not the real deal. Simplicity ruled inside the Enclave, except for the fussy electronic transmission shifter, which took a moment to get used to.

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) configuration. Our test model featured the optional 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 could also be paired with all-wheel drive (AWD), routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission, though AWD dropped torque to 162 pound-feet.

The 1.3-liter engine made solid power for its size, feeling confident but never brisk. The three-cylinder engine was a bit rough, rumbling as the nine-speed automatic searched for the most efficient gear. Despite occasional vibrations, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive and well-weighted steering. The suspension soaked up bumps nicely, and the Encore GX handled corners with confidence, living up to Buick's "near-luxury" label.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a choice between FWD and AWD. The V6 generated 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm. When properly equipped, the Enclave had a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds.

Acceleration was strong, thanks to the V6's low torque peak, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic never missed a shift, and our FWD test vehicle could momentarily spin the tires before traction control intervened. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking, enhanced the driving experience. The suspension proved sensational, handling various driving environments with ease. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and we averaged 21.2 mpg on our testing loop.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered added space in the rear seats and cargo area. 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 and slightly less than the larger Buick Envision. The rear load floor could be adjusted to open up more space, and the front cabin featured a redesigned shifter and cup holders for additional storage.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering wide, long, and roomy accommodations for six people (seven if needed). The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with a basic massaging function, and a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The center console provided ample storage, and the Enclave offered seven-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat.

The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, ranking on par with the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride in terms of comfort. The rear doors and captain's chairs made entering and exiting easy. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM's latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a crisp and responsive interface. The system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Options included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. Our test car featured a head-up display (HUD) projected via a small plastic display from the dash, which was a cost-cutting measure.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size, smart home digital assistant integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. The available rear camera mirror provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. Our test model also featured a surround-view camera system, providing clear and high-quality images.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited to higher trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the Essence trim and above, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated Marginal.