2019 Buick Encore

Overview

Slotting into the Buick SUV lineup beneath the big-sib Enclave and the middle-child Envision, the Encore distills the almost-luxury ambience of its older brothers into a bite-sized niblet. Its interior is comfortable, well designed, and more premium than most of its rivals, but it never quite reaches full-luxury levels of comfort. High-tech infotainment features abound, and the Encore has room for four adults, so long as each one packs lightly. This baby Buick aims high but ultimately falls short of competing with luxury-branded crossovers with similarly diminutive footprints such as the BMW X1 and the Lexus NX—but then it's not nearly as expensive as those models, either. Instead, it makes a case for itself as an in-betweener by outluxing subcompact crossovers from mainstream makers Nissan, Honda, and Chevrolet. With the Encore, you pay more, but you get more.

What's New for 2019?

The 2019 Encore lineup has been simplified and pared down to just four distinct models: Base, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence. The Safety Package II is offered only on the top-level Essence model and includes limited driver-assistance features, including rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We'd spring for the mid-level front-wheel-drive Sport Touring model. It's our choice not only because it adds visual punch to the Encore's appearance by way of a rear spoiler, 18-inch gray-painted aluminum wheels, and fog lamps, but because it's the least expensive trim that can be had with the optional 153-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder. No matter which Encore you choose, high-end options are included, such as an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, passive entry with push-button start, and active noise cancellation.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Punchy optional turbo engine, optional all-wheel drive, compliant ride.
Dislikes: Slow standard engine, pronounced body lean in corners, lacks driving enjoyment.

Two turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinders are offered to power the Encore. The first makes 138 horsepower, but the optional 153-hp version—which also delivers 20 percent more torque—is the one to buy. Our front-drive test vehicle was fitted with the more powerful engine and felt peppy around town. In our testing, the optional engine motivated it from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. We haven't tested an Encore with the base 138-hp engine, but the Buick's corporate twin, the Chevrolet Trax, comes with this engine exclusively and delivered a much more leisurely result of 9.3 seconds.

Sitting high atop a short wheelbase lends the Encore a more top-heavy feel than lower-set rivals such as the Mazda CX-3, and as a result, the Encore leans more heavily in corners. Steering is well weighted if not particularly engaging, but it's accurate and will be agreeable for buyers seeking a comfort-oriented small crossover. Speaking of comfort, the Encore's suspension soaks up bumps admirably, and harsh impacts are dutifully dampened.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Encore has EPA estimated fuel-economy ratings near the top of the class when equipped with its optional and more powerful engine, which earns slightly better ratings than the standard powerplant. Most of the other crossovers in this segment, however, outperformed the Encore in our real-world testing. Over our route of 200 miles at 75 mph, the Encore delivered only 28 mpg highway.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Upscale interior, plenty of infotainment features, surprisingly roomy for cargo with rear seats folded.
Dislikes: Top-spec Essence's price puts it in competition with luxury-brand rivals, fussy seat-folding mechanism, too-narrow seat bottoms.

Within the Encore's compact body lies an interior that is very nearly premium save for a few missteps. There are some hard plastics in the door panels and lower center console, and the glossy black trim on the center stack of our test vehicle didn't match the glossy gray panels on the doors. However, soft-touch sections on the armrests and dash pad provide a more upscale atmosphere; the flush-mounted infotainment touchscreen and jewel-colored background accents help, too. Front-seat ergonomics are quite good, with controls that are straightforward and redundant knobs on the dash for climate controls. We appreciated the high seating and comfortable driving position, but larger drivers may find the seat bottom too narrow.

The Encore comes standard with a host of tech goodies, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system—dubbed IntelliLink—with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE data connection with onboard Wi-Fi. Navigation with live traffic and weather updates is optional. A six-speaker audio system with SiriusXM satellite radio is standard and can stream audio from smart devices via Bluetooth, USB, or an auxiliary input jack; a Bose premium audio setup with seven speakers is also available.

The Encore's talents as a utility vehicle start and end with a good performance in our carry-on test: It held 20 of our suitcases with the rear seats folded. Otherwise, the little Buick's interior measurements, difficult-to-fold rear seat, and class-average storage space for small items do little to impress.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Mixed reviews from the two U.S. crash-test agencies and a dearth of driver-assistance tech make the Encore a disappointing choice for buyers focused on safety. To make matters worse, the Encore's back seats may not be sufficient for small families to comfortably fit children in safety seats. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning
• Available blind-spot monitoring
• Available lane-departure warning

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Outdone by the Kia Soul and the Hyundai Kona in this segment, the Encore offers longer warranty coverages than most others including the Trax. The GM trucklets offer a free maintenance visit within the first year of ownership.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit