2020 Buick Encore GX vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 was a testament to the brand's evolution in design, showcasing a modern aesthetic that was both elegant and commanding. The SUV's exterior featured distinctive elements like the blacked-out honeycomb grille on the R-Design trim, "Thor's hammer" LED headlights, and a sleek arching shoulder crease that emphasized its width and stability. The interior was equally impressive, with a Thunder Grey Metallic exterior contrasting beautifully with a beige-leather and aluminum interior. The XC90's cabin was a blend of luxury and craftsmanship, offering options like wool fabric seats and matte wood trim. The seats were designed for comfort, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage features, making long journeys a pleasure. The attention to detail was evident in features like the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat and the twist-action ignition knob, underscoring Volvo's commitment to quality and simplicity.

In contrast, the 2020 Buick Encore GX presented a more mature and refined appearance compared to its predecessor, the Encore. The GX was slightly larger, with a more complete and sophisticated exterior design, featuring a larger grille, revised headlights, and a reworked rear end. Inside, the cabin offered a sense of care and style, with a fit and finish that felt more upscale than some competitors. The Encore GX came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, each offering a range of standard and optional features. The Essence trim, for instance, included leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and unique chrome bumper accents. The ST package added sporty elements like a unique grille and red accents, enhancing the GX's premium look. Overall, the Encore GX provided a comfortable and stylish interior, with thoughtful touches like a quick-flip button for the rear seats and a versatile rear load floor.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which was deemed insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing the necessary power for a vehicle of its stature. The Polestar tune further enhanced the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft, though it still lacked the linear acceleration expected in this class. The T8 plug-in hybrid variant offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but the added weight of the hybrid system negated the speed benefits. Fuel economy was a concern, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. Despite its power, the XC90 was not a sporty vehicle, focusing more on comfort and quietness.

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 the FWD model. The 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, available with AWD, offered 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, though AWD reduced torque to 162 lb-ft. This engine provided solid power for its size, though it felt underwhelming at low speeds. The driving experience was smooth, with responsive steering and a well-weighted suspension that handled bumps and potholes effectively. The Encore GX's composure at higher speeds was a pleasant surprise, offering confidence in corners despite not being sporty. The auto-stop/start system was seamless, though the engine's vibrations were noticeable.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 featured an improved Sensus infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive than previous versions. The system integrated climate controls within the touchscreen, with physical buttons for essential functions like defrosters and volume. The cabin layout was well-organized, offering seven seats as standard, with an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The XC90 provided generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows, though the third row was best suited for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered increased space in the rear seats and cargo area compared to the standard Encore. The rear doors were larger, providing more legroom and headroom. With the rear seats up, the GX offered 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The rear load floor featured removable dividers, allowing for additional space. The front cabin layout was practical, with the shifter moved to the left of the center console, creating more storage space. The in-door cubbies and cup holders were designed to accommodate large water bottles, enhancing everyday usability.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came equipped with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, offering an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was high-resolution and easy to navigate, though onboard apps were slow to load. The digital instrument panel offered limited customization compared to competitors, and the tire pressure monitoring system lacked individual tire pressure displays.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX featured GM's latest touchscreen infotainment system, with a responsive and intuitive layout. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with options for a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. The available head-up display projected information via a small plastic display, offering a cost-effective alternative to windshield projection. The infotainment system allowed for customizable presets, enhancing user convenience.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and innovative safety systems like curtain airbags and whiplash protection.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection. The Teen Driver System allowed for speed and volume limitations on secondary keys. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system, providing clear images and helpful parking assistance. The Encore GX also featured a standard suite of airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.