2020 Buick Encore GX Will Reportedly Use Three-Cylinder Engines In America

Three-cylinder engines are pretty rare in the United States, but it appears two will be offered under the hood of the 2020 Buick Encore GX.

While the company has been tight-lipped about performance specifications, GM Authority says the upcoming crossover will come standard with a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 137 hp (102 kW / 139 PS) and 166 lb-ft (225 Nm) of torque. The entry-level engine will reportedly be paired to a continuously variable transmission that sends power exclusively to the front wheels.

Buyers looking for something with a little more oomph will reportedly be able to order a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder which develops 155 hp (116 kW / 157 PS) and 174 lb-ft (236 Nm) of torque. Besides being more powerful, models equipped with the 1.3-liter engine will be offered with all-wheel drive. When the latter option is selected, the engine will be paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive variants will reportedly stick with the CVT.

Interestingly, the numbers are nearly identical to those offered on the standard Encore. It’s turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine has outputs of 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS) and 148 lb-ft (201 Nm) of torque as well as 153 hp (114 kW / 155 PS) and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm).

Considering the Encore GX is larger than the standard Encore, this could mean the new crossover will be even slower than its smaller counterpart. That’s not good as the ‘performance’ Encore takes a little under eight seconds to hit 60 mph (96 km/h).

Also Read: America’s 2020 Buick Encore GX Compact SUV Revealed, Arrives Early Next Year

The Encore GX will arrive in the United States early next year and it will be positioned between the Encore and Envision. Specifications will be announced closer to launch, but the company has previous said the model will come equipped with an assortment of driver assistance systems including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert and a lane keep assist system with lane departure warning.