![]() ![]() The Encore verges on 3,200 pounds, a lot of mass to move with just 138 hp. It is offered in two states of tune: 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, or, when direct injection is added, 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The engine is a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. But the Buick's optional all-wheel drive isn't offered on that Chevy, even if it's tuned more for bad-weather traction, rather than off-roading or rocky country tracks. Active noise cancellation keeps engine roar mostly muted, however.Īlthough you would likely never guess it, the Encore shares some underpinnings with the humble Chevrolet Sonic subcompact. Befitting the near-luxury Buick brand, the cabin is relatively quiet-though not entirely hushed, since some wind and tire noise still comes through. Soft-touch surfaces, metal accents, and blue ambient lighting are upscale touches. The center stack is dominated the touchscreen, which helps clean up the look and make the controls easier to use. The interior is more successful in carrying off a premium feel in a small package. The LED headlights look tidier, the lower air intakes are less pronounced, and the hood is cleaner. At least the front end looks better this year, featuring a new grille that loses the waterfall bars and adds a chrome strip with a wing shape. There just isn't enough sheet metal on the Encore to stretch out Buick's usual styling themes as gracefully as we've seen in other cars. ![]() Priced at a premium, with luxury-car features, it's still fitted around a petite hatchback body. It's been a trailblazer, but the Encore is still a vehicle that feels at odds with the rest of the Buick lineup. We give the Encore a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Most noticeable is the new front end, but the updated interior, complete with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and Apple Car Play and Android Auto, make it easier to live with on a daily basis. Today, that's a crowded niche, with pricey and prestigious rivals like the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Audi Q3 as numerous as the more affordable ones (Trax, Renegade, 500X, CX-3, and HR-V).Ī 2017 update aims to keep it competitive. When it was new in 2013, the Buick Encore was virtually alone on the automotive landscape as one of few small crossover SUVs. ![]()
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