The 2020 Buick Encore lasts around 200,000 miles, with some relatively minor wheel bearing and windshield issues reported. At $17,250 to $25,998, it’s a good value for a small SUV with a relatively nice interior for the money.
Is the 2020 Buick Encore a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Buick Encore since it offers a nice interior and good reliability ratings as it ages. Owner reviews praise the safety technology, comfortable seats, and the low fuel costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are luxurious for a compact SUV, the seats are very supportive, but cargo space is smaller than some competitors.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2020 Encore. Models from 2013–2015 have some widespread engine issues, while 2016–2022 are more dependable.
- Performance 6/10 – The 2020 Encore is slow, but the four-cylinder engine focuses more on efficiency rather than performance.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2020 Encore is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include lane departure warning along with some parking sensors.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 28 MPG, offering 392 miles of range out of the 14 gallon tank. Gas costs are $17 cheaper than average at $214 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Buick Encore is less expensive than other small luxury SUVs with reasonable depreciation rates, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Buick Encore?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Buick Encore offers a nice mix of luxury features in a compact footprint, with good owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
- Edmunds rates the Buick Encore at 4.2/5, enjoying the quiet cabin at highway speeds, but doesn’t like the relatively small cargo area.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Encore a 4.3/5, praising the advanced technology features, but owners don’t like the relatively weak four-cylinder engine.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Buick Encore Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Buick Encore include excessive wheel noise, broken windshields, along with some stereo system issues. Overall, the problems are relatively minor compared to other small SUVs, leading to lower repair costs than many of the competitors.
Excessive wheel noise is the most widespread complaint on the 2020 Buick Encore, showing up at around 20,000 miles. The wheel bearings are a known weak spot on the SUV, and they have to be replaced. Changing out the bearings costs around $250, depending on local labor rates.
Broken windshields have also been mentioned by some 2020 Encore owners within the first 5,000 miles. There are some production runs of glass, which are weaker, and cause the glass to break with smaller chips. Replacing the windshield costs around $550.
Stereo system issues show up on some 2020 Buick Encore models at around 1,000 miles. Usually, the stereo system freezes up and has to be restarted to get it working again. There are software updates available for the stereo system, which improves its reliability. Most dealers will update the stereo for free, while others charge around $50.
There are two recalls on the 2020 Buick Encore, which is better than some other small SUVs. The most serious recall includes missing bolts on the start/stop accumulator, which Buick will replace for free. The other recall includes the front seat bolts missing, which Buick will also install for free.
How Long Will the 2020 Buick Encore Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Buick Encore can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than some other small SUVs like the Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $456 per year.
As a used 2020 Encore reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history report, owners should be prepared to replace the MAP sensor for $100, the A/C drier assembly costing $255, along with brake vacuum pump, which costs $325.
How Is the Technology?
The standard entertainment technology is excellent and includes a relatively large 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology is fairly basic, and only features a rearview camera.
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Blind spot monitoring
- Forward collision warning
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Is the 2020 Buick Encore a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Buick Encore is a good value for a small luxury SUV since it’s cheaper than many of the competitors. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $17,250 to $25,998, making it less than a Subaru Forester or Honda CR-V. When new, the price range was $23,200 to $30,800. Depreciation is similar to some other SUVs, losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Buick Encore?
There are four main models of the 2020 Buick Encore offered from the entry-level 1SV through to the more luxurious Essence. Front-wheel drive is standard on all models, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
1SV is the entry-level model with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic headlights
- Keyless ignition and entry
- Heated mirrors
- Roof rails
- Rear privacy glass
- Air conditioning
- Cruise control
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Fold-flat front passenger seat
- 60/40-split folding rear seats
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Rearview camera
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Two USB ports
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
- GM’s OnStar communications (with 4G LTE and in-car Wi-Fi hotspot)
- Six-speaker sound system with satellite radio
Preferred is a step-up, adding:
- Includes all features of the 1SV trim level
- Floor mats
- Cargo cover
- Eligibility for additional options
- Optional blind-spot monitoring
- Available rear cross-traffic alert
- Optional remote start
Sport Touring adds more features such as:
- Includes all features of the Preferred trim level
- Fog lights
- Rear spoiler
- Remote start
- Optional navigation system
- Optional premium seven-speaker Bose sound system
- Sunroof availability (except base trim)
Essence is the flagship model, which has:
- LED headlights
- Leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable passenger seat
- Heated front seats
- Driver-seat memory settings
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Heated steering wheel
- 120-volt household-style power outlet
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert systems
- Optional package with automatic wipers
- Optional front and rear parking sensors
- Available forward collision alert
- Optional lane departure warning
- Advanced cabin filter (optional package)
- Optional navigation system
- Optional premium seven-speaker Bose sound system
- Sunroof availability (except base trim)
What Engines Come In the Buick Encore?
The 2020 Buick Encore is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that generates 138 horsepower. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. When it comes to performance, the Encore’s 0-60 MPH time is estimated at around 9 seconds. As for fuel efficiency, the combined fuel economy for this powertrain stands at around 27 MPG, offering a balance between performance and economy for its class.
What Colors Does the Buick Encore Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Buick Encore?
The 2020 Buick Encore is often praised for its comfort-oriented features, making it a compelling choice in the compact SUV segment. Inside the cabin, passengers are greeted with well-padded seats that provide ample support for both short jaunts and longer journeys. The front seats, in particular, offer a good range of adjustability to accommodate various body types.
Buick’s emphasis on a quiet ride is clear in the Encore, which benefits from the brand’s QuietTuning technology — a suite of acoustic treatments that aim to minimize road, wind, and engine noise. This results in a serene cabin environment, allowing passengers to converse easily or enjoy their music without much external interference.
How Much Storage Space Does the Buick Encore Have?
The 2020 Buick Encore is a compact SUV that offers versatility in its storage solutions. With its rear seats in place, the Encore provides about 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space. This is enough room for a few suitcases, a week’s worth of groceries, or a couple of sets of golf clubs.
When more space is needed, the rear seats can be folded down to expand the cargo area to about 48.4 cubic feet. This larger space can accommodate larger items such as a bicycle, larger pieces of furniture, or a significant amount of camping equipment. Aside from the main cargo area, the Encore is equipped with various small storage nooks and pockets throughout its cabin. There’s a glovebox, door bins, and center console storage, which can be handy for keeping smaller items organized and within easy reach. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or just running everyday errands, the 2020 Buick Encore offers ample storage solutions to fit your needs.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the Buick Encore was launched for the 2013 model year.
2015: OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity is now standard on all models.
2016: Sport model introduced with a stronger four cylinder engine.
2017: Minor front-end styling changes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered, also some upgraded interior materials.
2018: No major changes from earlier years.
2019: Stronger optional engine offered.
2020: Small changes to the Sport Touring model, and the more powerful engine was discontinued.
2021: More driver safety aids added.
How Does the Buick Encore Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Buick Encore is a nice small SUV, offering decent value for shoppers on a budget that are looking for some luxury paired with a practical small cabin.
The Chevy Trax is another small SUV which costs about $2,500 less. Both the Chevy Trax and the Buick Encore are built on the same platform, but the Buick Encore has a better interior along with more technology. We recommend the Buick Encore since it’s a more complete package, worth the extra money.
The Honda HR-V is a popular competitor, which can be found for about $2,000 more. Long-term ownership costs are lower on the Honda HR-V, while the Buick Encore offers a nicer interior. We recommend the Honda HR-V since it’s a bit more reliable, although both are worth testing to see which you prefer.
