In review
Likes: Looks, more powerful engine, Buick heritage, fun to drive.
Dislikes: Top line safety features only available on Premium, tight rear seat.
Important numbers: 100.6-inch wheelbase, 3,397-pound curb weight, 18.8 to 48.4 cubic feet of cargo room, 14-gallon fuel tank and a 36.7-foot turning circle. Entry Price: $22,990
Price as tested: $29,250 Bluetooth, 4G Wifi hotspot, input jack, a six-speaker Bose sound system, eight-inch touchscreen and a USB port interface. Also included is Buick’s Intellilink and interior noise cancellation technology that makes the cabin extra quiet.
Sport Touring also features a 120volt outlet that is not available on lesser priced models. The Sporting Package features 18-inch tires on special Midnight Silver aluminum wheels and a winged rear spoiler.
Underneath there’s a Macpherson front strut coupled to a rear torsion suspension that results in comfortable and secure road manners. Fuel mileage is decent as the Encore with AWD comes in at 24 city and 30 highway while front-drive models deliver 25 city and 33 highway.
There are some Encore drawbacks, especially if consumers are looking for an interior that’s spacious. The rear seat is tight and cargo room is at a minimum unless you utilize the 60/40 seating capability.
Additionally, the higher tech safety items like forward collision alert and lane departure are only available on the Premium. Other safety inspired items come in optional packages and include park assist, rear cross traffic and side blind zone, which is not available until you get to the Sport Touring trim.
Options include a $175 interior protection floor mat package, the above noted Safety Package for $495 featuring side blind zone mirrors and rear cross traffic alert, a $65 rear cargo net and a $595 Bose Premium seven-speaker sound system. With $995 delivery, it brought the final retail to $29,250.
Check with your Buick dealer about current incentives, especially a current $5,000 allowance on in-stock Encores. It’s a great enticement, as it lowers our tester’s price to $24,250. (Remember, it always pays to buy from a dealer’s inventory.)