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2017 Buick Encore

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Make
Buick
Model
Encore
Year
2017
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Buick Encore OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
Interior Profile
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
2017 Base Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $22,990
2017 Preferred Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $24,365
2017 Sport Touring Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $25,565
2017 Preferred All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $25,865
2017 Preferred II Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,865
2017 Sport Touring All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $27,065
2017 Preferred II All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $28,365
2017 Essence Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $29,065
2017 Premium Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $30,465
2017 Essence All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $30,565
2017 Premium All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $31,965

Overview

A few years back, the idea of a subcompact crossover from Buick, of all brands, might have seemed almost radical. Since its debut as a 2013 model, the Encore has become a mainstream player with plenty of fans. In fact, it’s been the best-selling Buick model. After all, you get the footprint of an economy car, coupled with access to a selection of luxury and convenience features that would ordinarily be associated with larger, more expensive vehicles.

What's New for 2017

After introducing a more powerful Sport Touring model for 2016, Buick has given the 2017 Encore a freshened exterior and reworked interior layout. The sculpted front end has a redesigned fascia and winged grille, with new headlights, taillamps, and signature LED lighting. Front fenders and the hood are new. Inside is a redesigned instrument panel with a 4.2-inch information display, plus an 8-inch touchscreen for the IntelliLink infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available. Keyless ignition is newly standard.

Buick has renamed three trim levels: the former Base model is now Preferred, Convenience has changed to Preferred II, and the previous Leather trim is now called Essence. A lower-priced, special-order base model also is available for 2017.

Buick Encore

Choosing Your Buick Encore

Considering its petite exterior dimensions, the Encore's interior is more spacious than might be expected. Cargo space behind the back seat totals 18.8 cubic feet, which is more than you get in Buick's largest sedan. With that seat folded, volume grows to 48.4 cubic feet, which is comparable to a compact wagon. The front passenger seat folds down as well – a nifty feature that lets you carry long objects (up to 8 feet) and still close the tailgate.

The Encore's turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder base engine produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An alternative version of the engine, standard in the Sport Touring model, boosts output to 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet. All-wheel drive is available for each Encore, for an additional $1,500, in place of the standard front-drive layout.

With front-drive, fuel economy of base-engine models is estimated at 25 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive drops the figures to 23/30 mpg (city/highway). Despite its more powerful engine, the Sport Touring version is thriftier, estimated at 28/34 mpg (city/highway) with front-drive, and 26/31 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Bose active noise cancellation is standard. So is GM’s OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Like other Buicks, the Encore is rather generously equipped in base form, and becomes almost luxurious as you move up the trim levels:

Buick Encore

Preferred

Starting at $25,290 (destination charge included), the regular entry-level Encore comes with a power driver’s seat, Bluetooth phone and audio, a rearview camera, keyless entry, pushbutton start, integrated smartphone apps, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Infotainment and communications are managed using Buick's IntelliLink 8-inch touchscreen interface. An enhanced 4.2-inch Driver Information Center also is standard.

Buick also offers a lower-priced ($23,915) 1SV model on special order, with similar equipment.

Buick Encore

Preferred II

For $27,790, the step-up trim level adds dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, a 120-volt power outlet, and an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert also is included.

Buick Encore

Sport Touring

Introduced for 2016, the $26,490 Sport Touring edition moves up to the 153-horsepower version of the 1.4-liter engine. Standard features include a winged rear spoiler, foglamps, body-color door handles, and Midnight Silver 18-inch alloy wheels. The additional content, including the higher-power engine, is exclusive to this trim level.

Buick Encore

Essence

Formerly called Leather, the next trim level in the lineup has its interior spruced up with leather-appointed seating, as well as heated front seats, a driver’s memory, power passenger seat, heated steering wheel, and LED headlights. Pricing starts at $29,990.

Buick Encore
author image
Contributing Editor
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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

As one of the first premium subcompact crossovers, the Buick Encore quickly set the trend for the segment when it rolled out in 2013. A weak standard engine has since been joined by a more powerful variant.

Pricing and Equipment

Premium subcompact crossovers choices are still few in number, giving the Buick Encore an important edge in an effort to reach buyers. This model is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the standard and all-wheel drive is available for a $1,500 upgrade. Shoppers have their choice of five trim levels.

Beginning in 2016, Buick released an upgraded turbo engine available in the all-new Sport Touring edition. The new engine includes direct injection, increasing standard performance from 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque to 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Standard, convenience, leather, and premium editions are equipped with the base engine.

The 2017 Encore offers a long list of standard equipment, including painted 18-inch aluminum wheels, a rearview camera, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth connectivity, and 10 airbags. The convenience group or trim brings in dual-zone climate control, a 110-volt outlet, rear cross traffic alert and blind zone alert, and a remote vehicle starter system. The leather group brings in a heated leather steering wheel in addition to leather seats.

Performance Pros

Buick Encore

The Sport Touring edition provides the more powerful turbo engine, therefore this trim should be considered for that reason alone. The enhanced turbo is peppy and delivers sufficient power around town and on the highway.

A tight turning radius makes the Encore easy to park, especially on city streets where parallel parking is your only option.

The suspension is soft, but that isn’t a bad thing. Similar small SUVs don’t provide the cushioned feel over rough roads that the Encore delivers.

Performance Cons

The base engine is thrifty, but it isn’t especially powerful. Choosing the Sport Touring edition provides a more robust powertrain for this diminutive crossover. Making this engine standard across the model line would go far in eliminating that concern.

The better fuel economy rating comes with the more powerful engine. The base engine is EPA-rated at only 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway in all-wheel drive models or 2 mpg less than the enhanced engine.

Interior Pros

Buick Encore

Buick has brought its “quiet tuning” experience to its smallest model and that’s no small feat. Besides the quiet, shoppers will find premium touches throughout, including soft-touch materials, available leather, and metal accents.

The Buick IntelliLink infotainment system is one of the better ones out there, offering accurate turn-by-turn navigation along with overall ease of use. An all-new frameless 8-inch color touchscreen is a welcome addition.

Interior Cons

A tight back seat means adult passengers will find that space cramped, especially for legroom. The 60-40 split-folding bench seat offers seat belts for three, but two is ideal.

Standard cargo space measures just 18.8 cubic feet and that means luggage room is limited. At the same time, flipping down part of the rear seat and the front seat means you can accommodate items up to eight feet long inside the SUV.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The Buick Encore comes well equipped. The larger touchscreen is visually appealing and the infotainment system is both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

Offering an enhanced turbo engine with the Encore was a wise move on Buick’s part. That it is available on only one trim level is a disappointment.

The Bottom Line

With the pending demise of the Verano compact sedan after 2017, the low-cost mantle for the Buick brand will transfer to the Encore. Stiff competition in the segment means shoppers should weigh this model against top-trim crossovers from mainstream brands.



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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
25 / 33 / 29 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
25 / 33 / 29 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 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 18.0 " Gray Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Lower Accent Two-tone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated, Convex Spotter Passenger
Bumpers
Body-colored With Metal-look Insert
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome 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

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