Buick Encore or Encore GX—Which 2020 Model Should You Choose?

For the model year 2020, Buick has released the all-new Encore GX—a crossover that is set to add even more depth to an already-loaded compact SUV segment. Unlike what the name would suggest, the Buick Encore GX is not a trim level of the Encore. The Encore and Encore GX are two separate models with their own sets of trim levels. 

Sure, there are some similarities between the two, but there are also some significant differences that should be considered if you are trying to determine which SUV is right for you. Below, we’ve provided some information on both the 2020 Buick Encore and 2020 Buick Encore GX and highlighted some of their key distinctions.

Dimensions

To the casual observer, the Encore and Encore GX are quite similar in terms of all-around design and appearance. However, they are built on two different platforms. Naturally, this means that they differ in overall size. Both the Encore and Encore GX are about 64 inches tall. The Encore is roughly 70 inches wide, while the Encore GX is a hair over 71 inches wide. 

The length is where these two SUVs become noticeably different in appearance. Measuring 175.7 inches long, the Encore GX is significantly longer than the Encore (168.5 inches). Furthermore, the Encore GX’s wheelbase comes in at 104 inches while the Encore’s measures about 100 inches. This extra distance between the front and rear wheels makes for a smoother riding experience and better handling, not to mention a more aggressive appearance. 

Exterior Appearance 

Along with the dimensions, the Encore and Encore GX are distinct in their exterior stylings. Similar to recent years, the 2020 Encore sports sedan-like design with its curved front and compact, rounded grille and air intake. The Encore GX looks more like an SUV. It has more of a squared-off shape overall and a front-end that is more horizontal than it is rounded. 

Set between the headlamps—which are further apart than those of the Encore—is a new grille that also plays a big part in distinguishing the Encore GX from the Encore and other vehicles. A newly-designed lower fascia and fog lights also contribute to a more aggressive appearance. Moreover, deeper character lines along the side and rear, as well as a newly-designed rear fascia and taillamps, help distinguish the Encore GX even more. 

Technology 

Both the 2020 Buick Encore and Encore GX provide drivers with plenty of options in regards to technology. Available in the Encore is a four-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-way power-adjustable driver seat, and a six-speaker audio system, though you can opt for a Bose audio system. The Encore GX comes with GM’s most recent infotainment software, which has been recognized for being especially easy to use and responsive. All and all, you can’t go wrong with either of these SUVs if you want a vehicle with great technology, though the Encore GX offers more standard features.  

Safety Features

The Encore and Encore GX also boast plenty of safety features. However, the Encore GX seems to offer more features standard in this category as well. With the Encore, you can opt for front and rear parking assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning. The Encore GX comes standard with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. What’s more, you can get an HD 360-degree camera system and head-up display on the Encore GX, which go a long way in increasing visibility. 

Engines

The engines on the Encore and Encore GX are quite different and can play a major role in determining which SUV is right for you. All Encore trims come with a 1.4-liter DOHC turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. This engine is matched with a six-speed transmission, and it provides plenty of power for a compact SUV. 

There are two engine options for the Encore GX: an ECOTEC 1.2-liter Turbo and ECOTEC 1.3-liter Turbo. The 1.2-liter engine is good for 137 horses and is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The 1.3-liter makes 155 ponies and comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful engine can be had with either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. 

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a compact SUV that provides more luxury than the price tag reflects, both the 2020 Buick Encore and 2020 Buick Encore GX fit the bill. The Encore is a solid choice if you like the rounded appearance of recent Encore models and are willing to pass on a few features. However, if you are hoping for a slightly bigger, more aggressive-looking SUV with more standard features, you would do better to go with the Encore GX. Of course, the best way to see for yourself is to schedule a test drive at Liberty Buick GMC!

Carona Carpool: Keeping Your Kids Safe as They Head Back to School

This Fall might just be the strangest return to school our children have ever been a part of, and the very thought of children carpooling to campus registers red flags immediately. But with the proper attitude and preparedness, could there be a safe way to carpool in the midst of a pandemic? At Liberty Buick GMC, we think so, and we have a few tips to follow in order to keep you and your young ones safe as they travel back to school.

 

Whether your child is learning virtually or in-person, chances are you will be traveling more than you did over summer. And though carpooling is a great way to travel, there are specific precautions to be taken.

The first step to a safe carpool is making sure everyone is aware of the situation we are in, and all are on board to work together to keep everyone safe. Begin by contacting the other passengers and drivers who will be in the carpool. There is no need to panic, but you do need to be sure everyone in the car will be wearing a mask, and there will be enough room so that each person can sit without leaning into or resting on another passenger.

It’s also a good idea to have everyone involved agree to take temperatures each day before entering the vehicle. Be sure and have plenty of hand sanitizer, and make it a rule to use it before entering and again immediately after getting out of the car.

 

Here are a few more tips from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention:

 

·         (As much as possible) Try and keep from touching surfaces. Consciously taking into account what is most touched in your surroundings will help you cut down on using hand sanitizer as much. For those cases when you do have to touch something commonly handled, simply apply sanitizer or wash your hands as soon as possible. While carpooling, avoiding surfaces is especially difficult, so wearing gloves is a good idea.

·         Clean those hands. After touching surfaces outside of your own home, be sure to use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Or, if you would rather use soap, wash in warm water for at least 20 seconds.

·         Reduce the size of the rideshare. Though it might cause multiple trips or even more cars on the road, it is important to create space even in confined spots. Consider cutting the limit to half of what it was before and require everyone in the car to wear a mask during the trip.

·         Keep the ride ventilated. Weather permitting, keep windows open or cracked so plenty of air gets in and out. Good ventilation is key to keep from the spread of germs.

 

More Safety Tips

Here are a few more tips on keeping your young ones safe as you travel:

·         Make sure car seats are tightly secured and wiped down with disinfectant between each use. When clipping in a car seat it is important to make sure it is pulled tightly against the back of the seat. Sometimes you really have to wrench on the belt, but if you can wiggle the seat back and forth with minimal effort, it’s not tight enough.

·         When strapping your child into a car seat, be sure the top strap is pulled up to the top of the child’s chest. You should be able to fit two fingers between the top strap and the child, so it needs to be snug but not too tight to where it’s uncomfortable.

·         Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel. No matter how badly your child is screaming for a toy he dropped on the floor of the car, do not try and reach around or turn around to grab it. If it is something your child needs at the moment, simply pull the car over and put on the hazards. It might only take a second to look back and grab that toy while driving, but it also only takes a second to completely veer into the opposite lane.

The best piece of advice we have for anyone who has to travel is this: take a deep breath and let it out. Relax. You are not alone, and we will get through this! Liberty Buick GMC wishes you all safe travels. 

2020 GMC Sierra 1500—The All-American Pickup Truck

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 builds upon the Next Generation Sierra models introduced for the 2019 model year. A shining example of an American full-size pickup truck, the 2020 Sierra 1500 gets the job done and looks good while doing it. 

Since it is in the second year of a new generation of GMC pickups, it may be difficult to distinguish a 2020 Sierra from the 2019 models, especially for casual onlookers. Nonetheless, there are several factors that set the newest Sierra 1500 apart and that will be sure to attract haulers from around the country. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant features of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500:

Powertrain Options 

Five different engine options and three different transmissions are available in the Sierra. And buyers can opt for rear- or all-wheel drive. 

The base model comes with a 4.3-liter V6 engine that’s good for 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. A 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is available on the SLE and Elevation trims and produces 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. Buyers of the SLE, Elevation, SLT, or Denali trim can choose a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder (277 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque), while a 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque) is available in the base model, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The most powerful engine option, a 6.2-liter V8, is available in the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims and puts out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.   

Depending on the engine, buyers will get a six-, eight-, or 10-speed automatic. Additionally, the Sierra is offered in a single cab, double cab, and crew cab with various bed lengths. And buyers can opt for four-wheel drive no matter what cab configuration they choose. 

Fuel Economy 

Due to its wide range of powertrain options, fuel economy for the 2020 Sierra 1500 varies. The most efficient engine is by far the Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder when paired with rear-wheel drive, as it produces 23 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on the highway, and 26 MPG combined. Those numbers fall to 22 MPG city, 26 MPG highway, and 24 MPG combined when four-wheel drive is included. 

Buyers who are concerned about fuel economy but want a gasoline engine should consider the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder. When connected to rear-wheel drive, this engine puts out 20 MPG city, 23 MPG highway, and 21 MPG combined. Four-wheel drive brings these figures to 19 MPG city, 22 MPG highway, and 20 MPG combined. 

Passenger and Cargo Space 

The best part about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500’s interior is the functionality and spaciousness it offers. There’s plenty of room in any cab configuration you choose, but as can be expected, the crew cab provides the most legroom. As a rear passenger in the Sierra crew cab, it’s easy to forget that you’re riding in a pickup truck. 

Cargo space is also generous in the Sierra 1500. Plus, you can flip up the rear seats to make even more room, and a large center console and dual glovebox provide additional storage. When it comes to the trunk, buyers of the short box get 62.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the standard box provides 71.7 cubic feet and the long box allows for 89.1 cubic feet.  

Safety Features

The Sierra received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. 

A rearview camera, teen driver assist, tire pressure monitoring system, and rear seat reminders are included in the base Sierra, while an anti-theft alarm system is added to the Elevation trim. The ProGrade trailer system with HD rearview camera, as well as hitch guidance and hitch view, come standard in the SLT.  

Not surprisingly, the Denali offers the most safety features, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safety alert seat, lane-change alert, and front and rear parking assistance. Buyers who want adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, following distance indicator, and automatic emergency braking with front pedestrian braking can opt for the Driver Alert Package II. 

Conclusion

Those who are looking for a sharp-looking truck that will handle everyday workloads will be hard-pressed to find a better suitor than the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. With a wide array of powertrain options, impressive fuel economy, ample legroom and cargo capacity, and tons of optional safety features, the Sierra is the very definition of an All-American pickup truck. Give us a call at Liberty Buick GMC to set up a test drive—we look forward to hearing from you!

Summer Sizzle Savings

It’s Finally Here! Introducing the 2020 Buick Encore GX

The all-new, 2020 Buick Encore GX is here! Though Buick’s Encore has already seen success as a crossover vehicle, the 2020 GX comes in a new size and look, which creates a completely different, and new, feel to the vehicle. The Encore GX fits itself perfectly between the subcompact Encore and the compact Envision, in terms of size, and it comes with tons of upgrades. Buick is bringing fresh excitement to the crossover market, and at Liberty Buick GMC, we can’t wait for you to drive the 2020 Encore GX. 

America has experienced—and is still exciting—a surge in crossover vehicle sales. Something about having the control and luxury of a sedan mixed with the power and grit of a sport utility vehicle makes us happy and excited to drive. Vehicles like the Jeep Compass, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the Subaru Crosstreck, and the new Mazda CX-30 are all carving out a section for themselves within the crossover family. The 2020 Buick Encore is a perfect addition to this lineup, and not only because it fits the bill as a crossover. The new Encore GX hopes to take a lead in the crossover market by bringing high style, true luxury, and innovative technology to the Encore GX. 

The Exterior 

The 2020 Buick Encore GX has a great new look. It comes in a total of nine beautiful colors:

• White Frost Tricoat
• Deep Azure Metallic
• Burnished Bronze Metallic
• Black Currant Metallic
• Satin Steel Metallic
• Ebony Twilight Metallic
• Summit White
• Dark Moon Blue Metallic
• Chili Red Metallic

The slight curvature throughout the body provides contours and shadows, showing off the sleek design that could easily, at first glance, be mistaken for a modern Mercedes or Porsche SUV. 

After a second look, though, you’ll realize you are in the presence of something impressively unique: a chrome surround starts at the front and reaches to the back; large taillights emphasize the breadth of the vehicle, while the modern design seems to pull the body in, giving it a fit, sporty aesthetic. The large grille up front is non-intrusive, but it does make a statement that this is something new, and quite possibly Buick’s most modern move in years. 

Exterior Specs:

• Wheelbase: (in)100.6
• Track Width, Rear: (in)60.62
• Height, Overall: (in)65.25
• Length, Overall: (in)168.35
• Min. Ground Clearance: (in)6.22
• Track Width, Front: (in)60.65
• Width, Max w/o mirrors: (in)70.1

The Interior 

Inside the Encore GX, there are soft-touch materials throughout, LED lighting to set the mood, and an Infotainment center with all the bells and whistles. 

Compared to the Encore, the 2020 GX has 5.0 more cubic feet of cargo space, and it comes with all sorts of standard safety features: There’s the automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection—a must-have these days; lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning (great for those long, exhausting drives); there is also a rear-camera mirror and a surround-view monitor to keep you always aware of your surroundings; and these safety features only scrape the surface of what’s available. 

Here is a quick breakdown of the interior specs:

• Front Hip Room: (in)51.65
• Front Leg Room: (in)40.82
• Second Shoulder Room: (in)52.5
• Passenger Volume: (ft³)92.8
• Second Head Room: (in)38.78
• Front Shoulder Room: (in)54.18
• Second Hip Room: (in)50.08
• Front Head Room: (in)39.58
• Second Leg Room: (in)35.75

More Features

The 2020 Buick Encore GX comes with a turbocharged I4, 1.4-liter engine and a 6-speed automatic, electronically-controlled with overdrive transmission—with driver shift control. The vehicle itself is considered an all-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle.

The four-door GX holds five passengers with ease and comfort for all, and it has a fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city, 29 highway, and a combined mpg of 26. Not bad at all, especially for a souped-up, turbocharged engine. 

Here are just a few more features to the 2020 Buick Encore GX:

• Brakes: 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc
• StabiliTrak, stability control system
• Daytime Running Lamps, separate cavity, LED
• Airbags, frontal and knee for driver and front passenger
• Airbag, Passenger Sensing System
• Seat belt, 3-point, driver with load limiter, height adjustable
• Seat belt, 3-point, front passenger with load limiter, height
• Restraint provisions, child Isofix 2 point for outboard seating
• OnStar and Buick connected services capable 
• Buick Connected Access capable 
• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Rear Vision Camera
• Door locks, child security rear, manual
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System, manual learn

With a zippy engine that does well to conserve fuel, a luxurious interior, and a cool-compact look to the exterior, the 2020 Buick Encore GX is quickly winning our hearts at Liberty Buick-GMC.

Visit our website or call us at 704-708-8000 to find out more about the all-new Encore GX.

Happy Father's Day!

Beat the Heat Specials and No-Touch Service at Liberty Buick GMC

It’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready for the hot summer months. These extreme temperatures, especially here in the South, can wreak havoc on your car in all sorts of ways. This is why the service department at Liberty Buick GMC is running summer specials with No-Touch service.

When temperatures reach the 90s or above, it’s inevitable your vehicle will be affected. Everything from tires down to windshield wipers. The summer sun can warp, loosen, even melt these softer materials and it can fade or crack the harder pieces of your car. Some of these things you can check on your own. Engine coolant, oil, windshield wiper fluid, and tire pressure are all pretty easy and quick to check. And you should every few weeks, especially the engine coolant and oil. Low levels of either one of these can cause major damage to your car. 

The worst-case scenario is that your car dies, right when you need it, and you have to get it towed. This can be pricy. A new battery can run a few hundred dollars, and towing can be even more depending on how far away you are from the service department. So what can you do? On those really hot days pay extra attention to the sound of your car as you start it. Does it seem to take a little longer to turn over? Does it seem sluggish? This could be your first warning sign that the battery liquid is low, and it would be a good idea to head straight over to our service department to have it taken care of.

One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes it is not the battery that is dying or dead. It could be the alternator. This device charges your battery as the car runs, and if it is damaged or ruined it can be even more expensive than a bad battery. Some warning signs your alternator is fading? Dim lights, trouble starting, strange smells, odd sounds, and warning lights.
But what about the more technical parts of your vehicle? Things like tire rotation, tire alignment, battery testing, brake check, and a complete vehicle inspection. These tend to be what go wrong during the summer, mostly because they are not easy to check. That is, of course, unless you take your vehicle to a reliable service provider like Liberty Buick GMC. Here you can have a professional technician complete a thorough search of your car to make sure you are ready for summer.
Here are just a few of the specials running this summer at Liberty’s service department:

• TIRE PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE: Provide us with a better price at the time of purchase and we'll match it

• 6-QT DEXOS1 OIL CHANGE Package: 6-Quart ACDelco dexos1 Full Synthetic Oil Change & Tire Rotation for $79.95

• 8-QT DEXOS1 OIL CHANGE Package: 8-Quart ACDelco dexos1 Full Synthetic Oil Change & Tire Rotation for $79.95

• PROFESSIONAL BRAKE PADS: Most ACDelco Professional Front Brake Pads Installed for $164.95

• ACDELCO ADVANTAGE CAR ROTORS: ACDelco Advantage Front Brake Rotors installed on most cars & small SUVs for $169.95

• ACDELCO ADVANTAGE TRUCK ROTORS: ACDelco Advantage Front Brake Rotors installed on most full-size trucks & SUVs for $209.95

And these are not all. It’s just not worth taking the risk this summer, especially when Liberty Buick GMC’s service department is running specials with prices this good. Be sure and schedule your appointment soon, and stay safe on the road this summer. 

What sort of things will your service technician look for? Anything that is not performing properly, plus we will look for things that could go wrong in the near future. Intricate pieces like engine belts, hoses, and plugs. These all need replacing every so often, and if you wait until they completely malfunction you could be left stranded. And even worse, they could cause damage to other parts of your engine. 

The service department at Liberty Buick GMC wants to keep your vehicle running as it should. Whether you need regular service and maintenance, a special part, repair work, or just someone to find and fix that clunky noise that won’t go away, Liberty’s team can take care of you. Call or set up an appointment today and be sure to ask about our No-Touch Service.