2020 Buick Encore

The 2020 Buick Encore is an attractive deal for anyone looking for a feature-filled compact car. Buick- a GM’s premium car marque has been the race with its sweet little Encore. It is a pocket-size SUV with traits of the bigger Buick like the Enclave. It embodies many elements of the traditional Buick and has been retrofitted with hushed cabin, near-luxury trim, and a long list of upscale features which makes it stand out.

The latest variant of the Encore flaunts an upgraded technology interface which complements the instrument panel which features a new design that includes user-friendly controls and a new gauge cluster layout. Every Encore receives Buick's QuietTuning treatment, which includes different sound-deadening measures.

The Buick Encore is a compact crossover which is offered in four trim levels. 1 SV or the base, Preferred, Sport Touring and Essence. All of the variants come well equipped with features while individuals who desire safety and can go with more expensive trims. Buick covers the Encore with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile power train warranty.  All the trims are powered by a 1.4-litre inline-4 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Trims	Encore 1SV	Preferred	Sport Touring	Essence
MSRP (FWD)	$24,195	$25,595	$25,800	$29,300
MSRP (AWD)	-	$27,095	$27,300	$30,800
Features	4G Wi-Fi hotspot	1SV+	Preferred +	Sport Touring+
	Enhanced 4.2" multi-colour Driver Information Center	Rear Cargo Cover	Exclusive Rear, integrated Sport Spoiler	Bose Premium 7-speaker sound system
	Keyless Open and Start	Front and rear colour-keyed floor mats	Remote Vehicle Starter System	Rainsense Wipers
	QuietTuning technology with Active Noise Cancellation		Fog lamps	Front and Rear Park Assist
	Rear Vision Camera			Forward Collision Alert
	6-way power-adjustable driver seat			Lane Departure Warning Cargo Net and Rear Carpeted Cargo Mat

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Since there are multiple trim choices offered by the Buick Encore along with some generous amount of standard feature but the base trim can be upgraded with various packages depending on your requirement. If you are keen on adding the Driver Assistant feature then the Premium trim is for you.

The standard powertrain of the 2020 Buick Encore comprises of a 1.4 litre inline 4 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. A front-wheel-drive is available with an optional AWD. The powertrains are lively, though the grunt is apt for city driving. Encore feels sluggish when all the seats are occupied. Encore feels sluggish when all the seats are occupied. Encore's base engine is capable of generating 138-horsepower with its Ecotec turbocharged four-cylinder that may leave you to feel strained when you carry a full carload of people.

Models	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
MSRP	$24,195	$20,520	$20,945	$19,500	$20,390	$21,859	21,300	$20,945
Engine	1.4 Turbocharged Inline-4	1.8 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Boxer-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4
Transmission	6-speed automatic with Overdrive and auto-manual	2-speed CVT with Overdrive	2-speed CVT with Overdrive and auto-manual	6-speed automatic	2-speed CVT with Overdrive and Manual mode	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	2-speed CVT with Overdrive and Manual mode
Horsepower	138 hp @ 4900 rpm	141 hp @6500 rpm	144 hp @ 6100 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	148 hp @ 6000 rpm	152 hp @ 6000 rpm	138 hp @ 4900 rpm	148 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	148 lb. ft. @ 1850 rpm	127 lb. ft. @ 4300 rpm	139 lb. ft. @ 3900 rpm	132 lb. ft. @ 4500 rpm	146 lb. ft. @ 2800 rpm	145 lb. ft. @ 4000 rpm	148 lb.-ft. @1850 rpm	145 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm

There is no significant difference in the power outputs of all the rivals, however, the Subaru Crosstrek churns out the most amount of ponies. Chevrolet Trax is identical to the Buick while the Mazda produces the highest amount of horsepower among them.

Acceleration

You can say that the engine is “peppy” as the motor takes 8 .4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. AWD option adds more weight to the car which in turn affects the performance. The mid-sized SUV has also improved pickup making it one of the best choices for everyday usage. The 6-speed transmission is smooth and quiet but still provides a leisurely acceleration.

Models	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
0-60 MPH (sec)	8.4	9.3*	11.0	10.0	8.6	9.0	9.3	8.9
Quarter mile (sec)	16.2	16.8*	18.4	17.3	16.3	16.9	16.8	16.6
Engine	1.4-L I-4	1.8-L I-4	2.0-L I-4	2.0-L I-4	2.0-L I-4	2.0-L H-4	1.4-L I-4	2.0-L I-4
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.3	6.3*	6.0	5.9	5.7	7.0	6.3	7.1

If compared to the rivals such as the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-v it is a second quicker in accomplishing the 0 to the 60-mile mark.

Ride and Handling

The Buick Encore is not a big vehicle, hence its manoeuvrability is quite high. Buick like in its premium cars provides a comfortable ride even over rough patches, there is little body roll around corners. The steering wheel feels vague at times, and a bit too light at times. Buick has incorporated some energetic styling prompts like thick-rimmed steering wheel, yet the Encore is considerably more suited as an urban cruiser than a lively crossover.

Encore's ride is smooth on a lower speed, it can get wallow over the uneven landscape on higher velocities. As expected from a Buick car, the Encore is very much in line with the other models of the brand. With extremely quiet cabins which have been loaded with extensive sound-deadening materials and active noise-cancellation technology.

Braking

The 2020 Buick Encore has a satisfyingly firm brake pedal that is both reassuring and capable. You will certainly hear a weird squeal from the pads after using it repetitively. No automatic emergency braking limits the Buick Encore's appeal. With its four-wheel disc brakes having the linear stopping power, the SUV is able to control sharp body turn with due help from its firm suspension. 

Model	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Brake Front (in.)	11.8	11.5	11.8	11.8	11	11.6	11.8	11.6
Brake Rear (in.)	10.6	11.1	11.1	9.0 (Drum)	11.1	10.8	9.0	11.9
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3237	2906	3300	2890	2809	3113	2805	3,032
60-0 MPH (ft.)	122	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	118

The front-wheel-drive Encore returns 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. For all-wheel-drive models, reduce 1 mpg from both numbers. The Encore earns respectable numbers in the mileage department. With a combined mileage of 30, the 2020 Buick Encore definitely has above class average economy, but there are many who surpass it.

Model	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
MPG (city)	26	28	27	27	29	27	25	24
MPG (highway)	31	34	31	33	34	33	33	30
MPG (combined)	28	30	29	30	31	25	28	27

 When compared to other compact SUVs available in the market the Encore gets better ratings in terms of fuel efficiency. The 2019 Mazda CX-3 returns even better fuel economy and will be lighter on your pocket, while the identical Chevrolet earns 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway which is slightly below average.

The Buick Encore may be branded entry-level crossover but don’t consider it an “econobox”. The Buick Encore has been bestowed with comfortable front seats and the seating position is relatively high which helps the rider get a commanding view of the road. The back seats have a fair measure of headroom and can fit two grown-ups without grumbling.

There's more space than the outside impression would recommend, however it could get confined with three grown-ups toward the rear. A big letdown is the absence of a passenger’s armrest in the front. It cuts the cost a little but makes long journeys for the passenger a little bit annoying.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (cu. ft)Headroom	39.5	38.1	39.6	39.6	38.4	39.8	39.6	39.4
Shoulder room	56.8	49	55.5	54.2	53.5	56.7	54.1	56.2
Legroom	41.2	43.5	41.5	40.8	41.7	43.1	40.8	41.6
Rear (cu. ft)Headroom	38.3	38.3	37.8	38.8	37.2	38	38.8	37.9
Shoulder room	54.5	52.5	54.5	52.5	50.4	55.6	52.8	55.5
Legroom	39.3	31.7	34.6	35.8	35	36.5	35.7	36.3

Despite its small footprint, the Encore feels roomy inside because of its tall roof and a high seating position. It's less outright fun to drive than most of the rivals but there's good space inside for an average size individual, which is a squeeze in some of those competitors. The Honda HR-V offers the most amount of rear space in the subcompact crossover SUV class.

Interior Features

Available features inside of the 2019 Buick Encore includes:

• Remote start
• Moon roof
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Seven-speaker sound system
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Forward collision alert
• Parking assist and lane departure warning

Infotainment System

The Encore comes with lots of tech goodies and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen. It is known by the name “IntelliLink” with the following features:

• Android Auto & Apple Car Play
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• 4G LTE
• Bluetooth audio and phone
• Voice command
• USB input

Cargo volume

U stands for utility in SUV, Encore despite its smaller size can hold a large amount of cargo than most of the bigger vehicles. The space behind the rear seats is large enough for moderate grocery loads and 7 to 8 carryon bags. It provides 18.8 feet of cubic feet of cargo and increases to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats down. A fold-flat front passenger seat allows you to carry very long items.

Model	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Trunk Volume (ft.3)	18.8	24.3	19	19.2	12.4	20.8	18.7	21.7
Cargo Volume with Rear seats folded (ft.3)	48.4	58.8	36.4	45.8	44.5	55.3	48.4	49.5

Most of the rivals provide a similar amount of cargo space like the Chevrolet Trax and Mazda Cx-3. The Honda HR-V is a class leader when it comes to capacity.

From grille to the hood, to the roof-line, the 2020 Buick Encore puts a modern spin to its solid design. The dynamic outlook is to attract people of younger generations. The lower air intakes of the vehicle are less pronounced with an upgraded LED headlight. The wings expand to the headlights, which are sleek and sculpted. Brushed-aluminium fake back skid plates and a wide wheelbase bundle include more aggressive silhouette to the general blend.

Model	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Curb weight (lbs.)	3237	2906	3300	2890	2809	3157	2805	3,032
Length(in)	168.4	170.4	171.2	164.0	168.3	175.8	167.2	171.9
Width(in)	70.1	69.8	70.7	70.9	69.6	71	69.9	71.3
Height(in)	65.2	63.2	61.6	61	60.7	63.6	64.9	64.8
Ground clearance (in)	6.2	5.4	5.9	6.7	6.1	8.7	6.2	8.5
Wheelbase (in)	100.6	102.8	103.9	102.4	101.2	104.9	100.6	105.1
Track width (in) F/R		60.4/60.60	60.6/60.6	61.2/60.2/60.3	60/59.5	61/61.2/61.2	60.6/60.6	60.6/60.6

Exterior Features

Some of the exterior features include:

• LED headlights in Essence and Premium
• Halogen headlights in all trims except Essence and Premium
• LED DRL
• Fog lamps in Sport Touring and above
• 18-inch alloy wheels on all trims

The 2020 Buick Encore does quite well in the safety tests. It gets 5 out of 5 stars overall, frontal, and inside crash in NHTSA crash tests. The Encore does not provide many safety features. The only standard feature is a rearview camera. The available safety features include:

• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Forward collision alert
• Parking assist
• Lane departure warning

Buick Encore Vs Mazda CX-3

The CX-3 is young and brimming with soul. Mazda mixes the CX-3 with excellent handling and balance with an addition of a solid motor that outpaces the Encore. The CX-3 additionally has one of the most pleasant cabins among rivals. Encore advantages lie in the rear seat, which is much more spacious than Mazda’s. Also, Encore has more standard and available features. According to the cost-to-feature ratio, the Mazda is a clear winner. It costs a few thousand dollars less than Encore and doesn’t compromise with comfort or performance.

Buick Encore Vs Honda HR-V

The HR-V is somewhat more versatile than the Buick. Its back seat overlaps to make an extensive floor-to-roof stack floor that is ideal for transporting bicycles or other tall articles. The HR-V is the ace of performance and utility in this rivalry. The Encore can't stand in front of the Honda overall, yet it beats the HR-V in the quality of its cabin materials.

Buick Encore Vs Chevrolet Trax

Mechanically, the Trax and Encore are about equivalent. They share similar dimensions, power outputs since they belong from the same parent organization. The Trax offers a rundown of standard highlights like the Encore and inside is entirely utilitarian. It takes care of business, yet it won't inspire you with the quality of its materials. This likewise makes it less expensive than the Encore by a couple of thousand dollars, so it's a savvy decision on the off chance that you simply require essential subcompact SUV utility.

Buick returns with their petite crossover SUV for the year 2018. The 2018 Buick Encore is an attractive deal for anyone looking for a feature-filled compact car. The Buick Encore is possibly the company’s most successful effort. It has attracted numerous buyers in a younger demographic for a small upscale crossover. The only let down in the Encore is its snug interior that includes cramped rear seat and less storage are compared to other crosses over SUVs in its class.