Overview & Reviews

Buick's Encore distills the brand's essence into a small, affordable compact crossover SUV. That means you get a comfortable ride and a quiet, rich-feeling cabin environment to go along with the Encore's fuel-efficient engine and available all-wheel drive. A fair amount of Buick's latest technology and safety features are also available to imbue the Encore with a healthy premium vibe.

Know that the Encore is smaller than other more established crossovers, however, and those petite dimensions cut down on the Encore's available rear legroom and cargo space. Tepid acceleration is another drawback. But if you're looking for an easy-to-drive and easy-on-the-wallet vehicle with an elevated seating position, the Encore makes a lot of sense.

Current Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is available in four trim levels: base, Convenience, Leather and Premium. All Encore models are powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder making 138 horsepower. That power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional.

The base Encore comes standard with 18-inch wheels, a power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rearview camera and a suite of tech conveniences like Bluetooth, OnStar services, Buick Intellilink smartphone integration, a 7-inch touchscreen display, and a six-speaker sound system with a USB/iPod connection. The Convenience trim level adds remote engine start, dual-zone automatic climate control and a blind-spot monitoring system. Pick the Leather trim level to get leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and driver memory settings.

The range-topping Premium level adds a premium Bose audio system, parking sensors and lane departure and forward collision warning systems. A sunroof and a navigation system are also available.

A damped, hushed ride remains a Buick hallmark, and the Encore lives up to this legacy with an acoustically-treated windshield, side glass and headliner, and a specific "quiet" standard tire. The Encore even offers an active noise suppression system that fends off sound from the engine and road by emitting noise-cancelling frequencies through the speakers. But while this Buick may carry occupants in peaceful serenity, it won't carry much else -- maximum cargo capacity is noticeably less than what's provided by most other small crossovers. On the upside, the front passenger seat can fold flat to accommodate longer items, which is a useful feature when space is at a premium.
The Encore is enjoyable to drive around town. Its small size allows it to fit into small parking spaces with ease and gives you a tidy turning circle for U-turns. Less impressive, though, is the 138-hp 1.4-liter engine. This just isn't enough power for a crossover SUV, and although the Encore feels adequately powerful in city driving, it feels strained when merging onto the highway or making any sort of passing maneuver.

Used Buick Encore Models
The Buick Encore debuted for the 2013 model year. There have been no major changes since, though in that first year the blind-spot monitoring system wasn't available.

User Reviews:

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  New Encore, 1 month in. - 2013 Buick Encore
  By jdr62 - October 28 - 12:08 am

  So far I love my Encore, its the perfect size, attractive and plenty of power in the city. I am not experiencing the in town mileage most are posting on here (23.5 mpg) but giving it a little break in time. No complaints so far, although I am experiencing the same thumping noise in the front end another review on here mentions, and eventually gave the car back to GM ? I highly recommend the Encore, and I get a ton of compliments on it.

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  Excellent vehicle, very happy - 2013 Buick Encore
  By soulmanencore - September 22 - 5:20 pm

  After purchasing the vehicle new June 29, 2013 and logging approximately 3000 miles, I am very satisfied. After a recent trip of 2850 miles in 10 days through highways, interstates, and the back roads and mountain roads of West Virginia, I am very satisfied. From Indiana to Florida and back, the car averaged 33.2 miles per gallon running the air conditioning all of the time. I was originally concerned that it might lack power in the mountains but I was pleasantly surprised. I was able to pass on hills and the Encore was responsive to quick acceleration. The car was very comfortable. The convex blind spot mirrors take some time to get used to but I am very pleased with the vehicle.

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  Cute ute - 2013 Buick Encore
  By buggin - August 30 - 6:00 am

  This is one small compact crossover. We looked at all of them and I mean all! None of them made us feel the way this little baby Buick did. Its classy, sharp, upscale and cut all in one. True its not going to win a race but it is not mean to nor was it made for that. It has plenty of punch. We only have 385 miles on it and are getting 27 in the city, not bad for an AWD that take regular. Give this vehicle a chance. Buick has touched upon an important market and we are glad they did.

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  Love my 2013 Encore - 2013 Buick Encore
  By peegggers - June 19 - 7:14 pm

  Ive had my Encore for 2 months now. Ive been using it for my daily commute of 70 miles round trip...and am getting an average of 27.2 mpg. Just got back from a 10 day 10 state trip driving through torrential rain (tropical storm Andrea) and the only complaints I have is the Bluetooth wouldnt always connect with my phone and sometimes the GPS wouldnt work. It was a little bit hard to pass other cars in the mountains of Pennsylvania but every other part of the trip the driving was great! We averaged 33 mpg. Plenty of room for 2 people and with the back seats folded down there was plenty of cargo space.

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  Great ride, very quiet - 2013 Buick Encore
  By dakkri - June 18 - 5:40 am

  Bought this after driving the other small suv choices. This had the best options and the best ride for the money. This is a small vehicle, but has plenty of front legroom for my wife and I. Those that complain about the lack of power, this is not and not meant to be an enclave. I find adequate power, just push down a little farther on the gas pedal. As an empty-nester this car does what we bought it for, comfort, quiet, room to carry cargo and pets with rear seats folded and good gas mileage.

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  Super stoked about my Encore - 2013 Buick Encore
  By toby65 - April 26 - 2:51 am

  After two months of car shopping, I ended up right where I started & thats gotta say something about my new ride! After GM agreed to buy back my 2011 Chevy Equinox because it was a lemon, I suddenly found myself test driving everything from the Toyota prius to the Chevy cruze. In the end I went with the Encore because its a snappy little SUV with great MPG & even though my Chevy was a lemon, GM did right by me & took care of it with little effort on my behalf.

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  Travelin Encore - 2013 Buick Encore
  By trvler2hm - April 12 - 12:40 pm

  I have owned my Encore for 2 weeks now. I love it!! I came out of a 10 year old Suv with no features of the 21st century. I have already experienced a snow day commute and the Encore out performed most vehicles on the road that day. I enjoy the features of the car and I have only had to visit the gas station once a week verses 2 to 3 times a week. It has enough get up and go to get me where I need to be. The car has enough power to get me up a mountain in the high country of Colorado without impeding other vehicles. I am very satisfied with my new Encore.

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  Loving my little SUV - 2013 Buick Encore
  By spitzlab - April 11 - 3:44 pm

  Ive had my Encore for about 2 weeks and have begun to have fun driving again. Its very manuverable in traffic and i can zip down the hwy if i want to. I think it looks stylish and not like the rest of the pack. While its small I had no problem getting into it and Im a very large person. I have arthritis and some of those higher vehicles just didnt work for me. Also My 77y/o mom can get in and out of this very easy too. Im getting 24 MPG on my first 300 miles and its the AWD model and its city driving. Its had all the features that i was hoping for and more. And i could afford it. Since most adults now spend more time single than married this is the perfect vehicle for a single too!

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  Buick Encore I like it but.... - 2013 Buick Encore
  By rmc62 - March 16 - 6:54 pm

  Hello Just bought the new buick encore. Well, I really like it! Fun to drive and great style. However less than 24 hrs from purchasing the car I hit something in the road and damage the front bumper. Well, now waiting for GM to get the part! My dealer has been great but looks like GM is not ready to service the car. It has been week and no confirmed date on when the part will arrive. Nice car but you may be waiting if you have any damage and it needs repair.

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  Quiet ride with luxurious comfort and reasonable gas consumption - 2013 Buick Encore
  By angra - March 14 - 7:39 am

  Based on first impressions, the new Encore offers a nice comfortable super-quiet ride. It is is easy to maneuver in traffic and it has a lot of good features. During the test drive, I could get it to merge on the highway without any problems--of course, I did not expect it to glide (say the way an Infinity does). I bought it because of its fuel economy, but it is still fun to drive. It took no time to connect my blue-tooth phone and have music come out beautifully from the Bose speakers. Dont let all the knobs discourage you--the system is actually easy to use! Having moved from an Acura TSX, I like the slightly higher ride while still having a compact size.