hamburger icon

2016 Buick Encore

Change vehicle or year
Select a Year - Buick Encore
OR
Change Vehicle
Make
Buick
Model
Encore
Year
2016
GO
Buick Encore OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2016 Base Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $24,065
2016 Base All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $25,565
2016 Convenience Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,355
2016 Sport Touring Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $27,350
2016 Convenience All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $27,855
2016 Leather Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $28,300
2016 Sport Touring All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $28,850
2016 Premium Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $29,785
2016 Leather All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $29,800
2016 Premium All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $31,285

Overview

The notion of a subcompact crossover from Buick of all brands seemed radical once upon a time, but the Encore is now a mainstream player with plenty of fans. After all, you get the footprint of an economy car and access to a plethora of luxury and convenience features usually associated with larger, more expensive vehicles.

What's New for 2016

The Sport Touring model debuts, offering extra power and style.

Buick Encore

Choosing Your Buick Encore

The Encore's interior is more spacious than you might expect given its petite exterior dimensions. There's 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which is more than you get in Buick's largest sedan. With the seat folded, you're looking at 48.4 cubic feet, which is similar to a compact wagon. The front passenger seat folds down as well, a nifty feature that allows you carry long objects (up to 8 feet) and still close the tailgate.

The Encore's turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine produces 138 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional version of the engine is good for 153 horsepower. All-wheel drive is available across the board in place of the standard front-drive setup. You can expect to get about 28 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

Like other Buicks, the Encore is generously equipped from the start, and becomes downright luxurious as you move up the trim levels:

Buick Encore

Base

Comes standard with a power driver seat, Bluetooth phone and audio, a rearview camera, integrated smartphone apps, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Infotainment and communications can be easily managed using Buick's IntelliLink 7-inch touchscreen interface.

Buick Encore

Convenience

Adds several useful features, including blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, remote start, fog lamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 120-volt power outlet, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Buick Encore

Sport Touring

Builds on the Convenience with the 153-horsepower version of the 1.4-liter, plus a rear spoiler, body-color door handles, and special-finish wheels. The extra content is exclusive to this trim level.

Buick Encore

Leather

Spruces up the interior with leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver memory, a power passenger seat, and a heated steering wheel.

Buick Encore

Premium

Tops off the Encore with a premium Bose seven-speaker sound system, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, and a rear cargo net and mat. (The Bose system and cargo upgrades are available as single options on the Convenience, Sport Touring, and Leather models.)

All except the base model are eligible for a sunroof, navigation, and roof rails. The Convenience, Leather, and Premium can also get chrome wheels.

CarsDirect Tip

Moving up each trim level costs about $1,000, a small amount considering everything you get. We find the Convenience and new Sport Touring to be especially good deals.

Get your price on a Buick Encore »

Read our review on the Buick Encore »

Buick Encore
author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

A pioneer in the luxury compact crossover segment, the 2016 Buick Encore offers long list of standard features but is somewhat hindered by underwhelming performance.

Pricing and Equipment

The Buick Encore is an upscale subcompact crossover that served as a pioneer in a continually evolving segment. It's powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, and available in a variety of trim levels -- all come with standard front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive as a $1,500 option.

  • The base-level Encore Group includes 18-inch painted alloy wheels, Buick’s base IntelliLink audio system with 7-inch touchscreen, and more. Pricing starts at $24,065.
  • The Convenience Group adds some nice safety features like rear cross-traffic and side blind zone alert. A remote vehicle starter and dual-zone air conditioning are interior highlights. Pricing starts at $26,355.
  • The Leather Group includes, you guessed it, leather seats and a heated leather steering wheel. Pricing starts at $28,300.
  • Buick pulls out all the stops with the $29,785 Premium Group. A Bose sound system fills the cabin with music while forward collision alerts and front/rear park assist add an extra measure of safety.
  • There's also a nicely equipped enthusiast-minded Encore Sport Touring Group that starts at $27,350.

Performance Pros

Buick Encore

The Encore’s base 1.4-liter engine produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque in most models. The new Sport Touring trim boosts output to 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.

  • Gas mileage on the front-wheel drive models is decent for a small crossover at 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. All-wheel drive models are a little less exciting at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
  • Steering is precise and the Encore offers a tight running circle for navigating tight spaces. The Encore feels nimble.
  • The suspension, in all but the new Sport model, is tuned to favor comfort over performance, which isn’t a bad thing, especially in a small crossover with limited power.
  • The four-wheel disc brakes are up to the job. While not the best handling crossover on the road, the majority of drivers will find the Encore a competent vehicle for day-to-day trips and commuting to work.

Performance Cons

Employing the same 1.4-liter found in the Chevy Sonic, the subcompact with which the Encore shares a chassis, the major criticism of Buick’s Encore has been its lack of power. The heavier weight (3,300 pounds) burdens the Encore’s base engine to the point that the car struggles in highway passing and feels lethargic around town.

Interior Pros

Buick Encore
  • Buick has done a fine job putting together an upscale quiet interior. Soft-touch surfaces abound and a splash of wood and metal accents finish the design.
  • A 7-inch touchscreen interface for the infotainment system comes with every Encore. The standard audio system sound great -- and the optional Bose system is even better. Buick’s easy-to-use intelliLink system allows you to easily connect your smartphone to the system to stream content and make phone calls.

Interior Cons

  • The Encore’s interior volume is almost as diminutive as the Encore’s horsepower. The back seat is tight even when compared to others in the subcompact crossover segment.
  • Cargo space is more along the lines of a typical hatchback than an SUV.

Most Pleasant Surprise

The long list of standard features, including the standard 4G LTE WI-FI hotspot, place the Encore on par with more expensive crossovers.

Least Pleasant Surprise

When you hear “turbocharged” you think performance, but that just isn’t the case with the Encore. That said, the new Sport model works to make up for the lack of power in the other trim levels.

The Bottom Line

Buick Encore

The Buick Encore was one of the first subcompact crossovers to hit the market when it debuted in 2013, earning accolades from reviewers and -- more importantly -- owners. While the Encore is still a good consideration for those looking for fuel economy and affordable luxury, many of Buick’s competitors have brought more attractive alternatives to the table.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.4L I-4 / 138 HP / 148 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
28 / 34 / 31 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.4L I-4 / 138 HP / 148 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
28 / 34 / 31 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
14.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$53
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
48.4 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length
168.4 "
Exterior Width
69.9 "
Exterior Height
65.3 "
Front Headroom
39.6 "
Rear Headroom
38.8 "
Front Legroom
40.8 "
Rear Legroom
35.8 "
Front Shoulder Room
54.2 "
Rear Shoulder Room
52.6 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,237 Lbs.
Wheel Base
101 "
Turning Radius
18.3 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Painted Aluminum / 18.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Tri-coat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter
Bumpers
Body-colored With Metal-look Insert
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth/leatherette
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
8-way (6-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
8-way (6-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Intellilink Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Rear Side-impact Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Pass-key Iii
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 24,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
72 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles

Used 2016 Buick Encore for Sale

5 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Buick
Premium
Color: White
Mileage

82,259 mi

Map location icon

Temecula Valley Buick GMC (77 mi)

Phone: (951) 216-2260
Buick
Base
Color: Red
Price

$9,895

Mileage

112,000 mi

Map location icon

Auto Retail Group (60 mi)

Phone: (909) 327-3450
Buick
FWD
Color: Summit White/Dark Argent Metal
Price

$10,297

Mileage

96,714 mi

Map location icon

Auto Connections (32 mi)

Phone: (949) 397-0003
Buick
FWD
Color: Summit White
Price

$12,000

Mileage

86,237 mi

Map location icon

DCH Honda of Oxnard (49 mi)

Phone: (805) 204-0454
See All Used Car Listings