NUTS & BOLTS 2017 Buick Encore

Bottom line: The Buick Encore is a good, compact wagon/SUV for urban commuting. It is safe (a fivestar federal crash rating in collisions with vehicles of similar size), reasonably comfortable and affordable for many of us when bought at the Preferred I trim level. It is sold in six trim levels, each increasing in expense: ISV, Preferred (I), Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence and Premium. Ride, acceleration and handling: The ride is comfortable. Acceleration is mediocre. Handling is

decent.

Head-turning quotient: It is pretty. You can have pride in ownership here.

Body style/layout: The Buick Encore is a compact, front-engine, front-wheeldrive, gasoline-fueled SUV with four side doors and a rear hatch.

Capacities: Seating is for five people. Cargo capacity with all seats in place is 18.8cubic feet. Please note that the interior width is a tad narrow and might be a bit uncomfortable for larger bodies. The fuel tank holds 14gallons of regular unleaded gasoline.

Mileage: I averaged 30

miles per gallon in highway driving.

Engine/transmission: It is equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter, inline four-cylinder, 16-valve gasoline engine with variable valve timing (138 horsepower, 177poundfeet of torque). The engine is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually.

Safety: Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes, ventilated front and solid rear; fourwheel anti-lock brake protection; emergency braking assistance; traction and

stability control; side and head air bags; blind-spot and lane-departure-warning accident avoidance systems; and a post-collision safety system.

Note: A full suite of advanced electronic safety systems is available.

Pricing: The 2017Buick Encore Premium All-Wheel Drive starts at $31,965. The price as tested is $36,175, including $3,285 in options (special exterior paint, power glass roof, Bose sound system and optional advanced safety items) and a $995 factory-to-dealer shipment charge. You can bargain.