Buick recently revealed a 2020 model year update for its familiar Encore crossover, the smallest SUV in the company's lineup. Not much has changed for 2020, aside from the Encore losing its more powerful engine option. We were surprised to see Buick simply update the Encore instead of redesigning it and we were also curious as to why the more powerful engine option was axed. The answer to both questions lies with the newly-revealed 2020 Buick Encore GX. The Encore GX was previously shown for the Chinese market, but now it's America's turn to see it.

The new Encore GX becomes the fourth SUV in Buick's lineup along with the smaller Encore, Envision, and Enclave, slotting between the smaller Encore and the larger Envision. "As we look to the future of Buick, the Encore GX positions us strongly as a consideration for those who want to purchase small or compact SUVs," said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Global Buick and GMC. Since 90% of Buick's sales are now accounted for by SUVs, we aren't surprised to see the company add a new one to its lineup.

Buick says the Encore GX will offer a host of standard safety technologies including front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. There will also an available rear camera mirror and surround-view camera system.

Buick hasn't included any photos of the cargo area but promises it will be five cubic feet larger than the Encore (pictured below) and just three cubic feet smaller than the Envision. The interior looks similar to the standard Encore but the climate controls look larger on the GX and there appears to be additional storage in the center console ahead of the shifter.

We don't know what engine sits under the hood, but we assume it will be a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 138 or 153 horsepower. Pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the on-sale date, which is currently undisclosed.