2020 Buick Encore GX vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style, sitting comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the more traditional, boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinctive profile, setting it apart from the upright stance of its siblings. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs hinted at performance capabilities. Despite its modern design, the Velar retained its SUV essence, offering impressive ground clearance and off-road angles. Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 predecessor, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that enveloped the driver.

In contrast, the 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than its predecessor, the Encore, with increased dimensions in length, width, and height. Buick invested in refining the GX's exterior, resulting in a more mature and complete appearance. This maturity extended to the cabin, where the Encore GX showcased a thoughtful design with a focus on style and fit and finish. While not as upscale as some competitors, the interior felt more refined than others in its class. The Encore GX offered three trim levels, each adding more features, with the Essence trim providing the most luxurious touches. The ST package added sporty elements, enhancing the GX's premium look.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive speed, the Velar's performance was not as dominant as some competitors. The Dynamic Edition also included enhancements like bigger brakes and retuned suspension, but it didn't fully transform the Velar into a hardcore performance vehicle. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup remained unchanged, with options including a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6. The Velar also featured off-road capabilities with Land Rover's Terrain Response system and other tech, though it lacked a low range for serious off-roading.

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 CVT for front-wheel drive. Our test model featured the optional 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, with the option for all-wheel drive through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it wasn't brisk. The driving experience was smooth, with responsive steering and a well-weighted suspension that handled bumps well. The Encore GX's handling was composed at higher speeds, offering confidence in corners. While not sporty, the Encore GX's performance was commendable for its class, aligning with Buick's "near-luxury" label.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique size category, larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar didn't offer more interior space than smaller SUVs, with competitors like the GLC and X3 providing more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling contributed to a claustrophobic interior feel, with limited visibility due to the chopped roof and tall hood. The cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, though the center console was easily accessible. The Velar offered respectable towing capacities, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered increased space, particularly in the rear seats and cargo area. The rear doors were larger, providing more legroom and headroom, making the GX a serious contender in its class. With the rear seats up, the Encore GX offered 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 comparable to larger models. The rear seats could be folded without moving the front seats, and the rear load floor featured removable dividers for additional space. The Encore GX's interior was practical, with a reconfigured center console and ample storage options, making it suitable for everyday use and accommodating larger items like golf bags.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though they were prone to glare.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came with GM's latest touchscreen infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface with crisp graphics and responsive performance. The system allowed customization of menu items and included features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional tech included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. Our test car featured a head-up display projected via a small plastic display, a cost-effective solution that added a unique touch to the driving experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids, with adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring available as options. Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with limited standard driver-assist tech.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver System allowed for speed and volume limitations. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system, providing clear views and aiding in parking. The Encore GX also included standard airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.