2020 Buick Encore GX vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than its predecessor, the 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 invested considerable effort into revising the exterior styling of the GX, featuring a larger grille, updated 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 mirrored the exterior's mature styling. While it initially appeared similar to the smaller Encore, closer inspection revealed a high level of care, style, and fit and finish. Though not as upscale as the Mazda CX-30, it felt more refined than the Hyundai Kona. The trim levels—Preferred, Select, and Essence—offered a range of features, from 18-inch aluminum wheels and heated power-adjustable side mirrors to leather seating and a 120-volt power outlet. The Essence trim, in particular, added unique chrome bumper accents and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, though it lacked adjustable seatback for the front passenger seat.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained the same basic body shell from a decade ago, with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights added over the years. The 2021 model didn't see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX's styling remained coherent, with a massive grille and a tough, aggressive look that appealed to SUV shoppers.

However, the interior of the GX 460 didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel's odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, made driving feel like operating a bus. Despite these drawbacks, the dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, especially useful for parking and off-road driving.

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) for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) model. Our test model featured the optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, also through a CVT to the front wheels. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) version, which came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, saw torque drop to 162 pound-feet.

The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it wasn't brisk. The three-cylinder engine's inherent roughness was noticeable, especially as the nine-speed automatic searched for the most efficient gear. The engine felt bogged down at times until the accelerator was pressed hard, reaching peak power at 5,600 rpm. While quick enough for highway speeds, it felt underwhelming at low-end. The auto-stop/start system was seamless but could have been smoother with a different 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, living up to Buick's "near-luxury" label.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460's V8 engine provided ample grunt when moving from a stop, with a zero to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the SUV's 5,130-pound weight was evident at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking maneuvers.

Bringing the GX 460 to a stop also required advanced planning, and the SUV exhibited low grip and body roll in corners. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of unibody construction found in most modern SUVs. While the Premium test car lacked the adaptive suspension of the Luxury trim, the ride remained uncivilized. The GX 460's off-road capability was a standout feature, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and multi-view camera system, enhancing its off-road prowess.

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 rear seat legroom and headroom were increased. With the rear seats up, the Encore GX provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was five cubic feet more than the standard Encore and three cubic feet less than the larger Buick Envision. The Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered less cargo space in comparison.

The added rear legroom meant the front seats didn't need to be moved to fold the rear seats down. A quick-flip button in the rear headrests facilitated easy seat folding. The rear load floor could be lowered by removing small dividers, creating more space. The front cabin featured a relocated shifter and cup holders, creating additional trays and cubby space. The in-door cubbies were deep, accommodating large water bottles, and the center console compartment was spacious.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460's interior ergonomics reflected its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel's odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, made driving feel like operating a bus. The Premium models received a new heated wood-trimmed steering wheel for 2021, but the wood trim meant the heating elements didn't cover the entire wheel.

The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, especially useful for parking and off-road driving. However, forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small. Second-row occupants had climate controls, but the third row lacked USB ports. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, with a power-folding third row available on the Premium and Luxury trims. However, the third row was best suited for children, and accessing it was challenging. The GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, less than the Land Rover Discovery's 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM's latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring an intuitive layout, crisp graphics, and responsive performance. The main menu items could be customized, and 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, a cost-cutting measure that felt clunky.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. Below the main screen was a display for time and temperature, reminiscent of a digital clock. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver System allowed owners to set 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. Our test model featured a surround-view camera system, providing clear, high-quality images and multiple viewing angles. The Encore GX also included front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX 460 lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and non-luxury Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.