Used 2020 Buick Encore GX for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2020 Buick Encore GX cost?

Prices have softened 7.55% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 733 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Buick Encore GX earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

It stands out as a more spacious, more upscale, and more powerful take on the Encore, with a longer wheelbase and revised bodywork that give it a more substantial small-crossover feel. You also get easy-to-use technology and standard advanced safety features, which fit well if you want a refined-feeling small SUV without a steep learning curve.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, and value for money is poor. Even so, the market still shows 32.5% good or great deals, which can help if you shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Encore GX is described as a refined, practical small crossover with a quiet, easy-to-live-with character. Its powertrains are tuned more for everyday confidence than excitement, and the driving experience is smooth even if the three-cylinder engines can feel rough at times. The standard 1.2-liter turbocharged engine and available 1.3-liter turbocharged engine give you a straightforward mechanical setup rather than a complicated one.

For ownership, the main risk is that its higher pricing can make repairs and upkeep feel less forgiving if you buy a poorly maintained example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Buick Encore GX?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior damage, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim level being advertised. Because this model was positioned as a more upscale small crossover, you’ll want to make sure the cabin, electronics, and safety equipment all work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Preferred includes 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. The Select adds 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 Essence adds unique chrome bumper accents, LED head- and taillights, leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 120-volt power outlet, but it lacks adjustable seatback on the front passenger seat.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The available 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder makes 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive, or 162 pound-feet with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter front-wheel-drive setup is the most efficient version.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver System is also standard. Blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert are optional, and the surround-view camera system is available on higher-equipped examples.
• Infotainment: The standard system includes a touchscreen interface with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It is described as responsive and easy to use. Available upgrades include wireless charging, navigation, a rear camera mirror, and a head-up display.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.3-liter front-wheel-drive setup returns 30 mpg city, 32 highway, 31 combined. The 1.2-liter front-wheel-drive engine returns 26 mpg city, 30 highway, 28 combined. The 1.3-liter all-wheel-drive version returns 26 mpg city, 29 highway, 28 combined.

Which 2020 Buick Encore GX trim should I buy?

The 2020 Buick Encore GX is offered in 3 trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence.

Here's the short version:

• Preferred: This is the entry point, but it still gives you a strong equipment list with 18-inch wheels, heated mirrors, LED lighting, push-button start, automatic climate control, and the standard touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also includes the full suite of driver-assistance features, so it makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the model without giving up the core safety and tech.
• Select: This is the best-value trim if you want a more comfortable daily driver. It adds roof rails, remote start, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, SiriusXM, and a power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, which makes it feel meaningfully more complete than the Preferred.
• Essence: This is the upscale choice, with leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED head- and taillights, chrome exterior accents, and a 120-volt outlet. It is the right pick if you want the most premium cabin, but the missing adjustable seatback on the front passenger seat is a notable omission at the top of the range.

The standard driver-assistance suite is already included on the Preferred, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core safety package.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Buick Encore GX?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 733 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.55% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,013, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Buick Encore GX's resale value?

The current average of $16,013 sits slightly below last year's $17,321.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some of its depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right number. For a seller, the current market means you may need to price competitively to move the vehicle, especially against other small crossovers with stronger value reputations.

The Encore GX still has appeal because it offers a more upscale feel, useful space, and standard safety tech. Those traits can help support demand later, but the current market shows that buyers are still sensitive to price.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX safe?

The Encore GX earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

It comes standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver System is also standard, and optional blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert plus rear cross-traffic alert can add another layer of confidence. The available surround-view camera system is especially useful for parking and low-speed maneuvering.

The main safety caveat is that some of the more helpful driver-assistance features are optional rather than standard, so you should confirm the equipment list on any used example you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2020 Buick Encore GX or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.55% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings more interior space and more powerful engines than the Encore it resembles.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $16,620, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $16,013 average.
• It offers a premium-leaning small crossover feel with a quieter cabin and strong fuel efficiency.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter buy because prices have eased and inventory is healthy enough to shop selectively. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model year, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2020 and look for a well-equipped trim with the right safety features.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.