The 2022 Buick Encore Preferred is a standalone trim that has decent fuel economy and interior space practicality. The interior with QuietTuning Technology, 6-speaker audio unit, and Buick Infotainment System is impressive but it lacks that standard power-adjustability and interior accents. The basic safety prowess and alertness also weaken its overall stance. So it does not really appear to be worth investing in $25,795 at the least.   

"The Encore remains one of the cheapest ways to get into a Buick SUV." - MotorTrend

The 2022 Buick Encore is available in single trim of Preferred that has a price tag of $25,795 for the FWD layout and $26,415 for the AWD configuration. It has been given 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and an optional power moonroof on the outside. The musical rhythms are reverberated with a 6-speaker audio system that's on offer as standard. 

Also, the 2022 Encore Preferred trim receives Buick Infotainment System with a 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen inside the cabin. It is accompanied by a 4.2-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center and QuietTuning Technology for an isolated interior. Further, the handling pursuit and driving dynamics are managed by its standard StabiliTrak.   

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"The Encore's engine gets a significant bump in power for 2022, helping alleviate the Buick's sluggish acceleration." - Edmunds

The 2022 Buick Encore gets a new 1.4L Turbo I-4 under the hood that churns out 155 hp and 177 lb-ft. It comes hitched with a 6-speed automatic transmission in the FWD configuration as a standard whereas the AWD variant costs $620 extra. 

The Buick Encore has cruise control at its disposal that maintains the defined speed limit and set speeding functions. But its suspension is considerably soft that makes the off-roading or rough terrain tracking a little less favorable to maneuver. 

The 2022 Encore is capable of 8.4 seconds 0-60 MPH acceleration while the quarter-mile takes 16.6 seconds. Also, it can speed up to 120 MPH but such performance is limited with 11.8-inch front and 10.6-inch rear disc brakes. This brings it to a halt within a braking distance of 166 ft from 70-0 MPH deceleration.  

As per data, the Encore is 1.8 seconds quicker than HR-V in 0-60 MPH but is $3,700 more expensive than the latter. On the other hand, the Buick Encore has 8 hp more power than the Kona owing to a 1.1 seconds faster 0-60 MPH while being $5,000 costlier.  

"Gas mileage is one reason to applaud the Encore." - The Car Connection

The 2022 Buick Encore returns a combined fuel economy of 27 MPG and 32 MPG on highways. Its 14-gallon fuel tank allows it to have range practicality of 448 miles at max whereas 378 miles remain the average scale. 

Based on the comparison, the Buick has a 0.8-gallon bigger fuel tank with which it goes 9 miles more than the HR-V. In the meantime, the CX-3 offers 15 miles extra over Encore, all thanks to its 2 MPG better fuel efficiency than the latter.   

"Buick's approach of sliding into that vague area between mainstream and luxury has given the Encore a mostly upscale cabin, marred only by a few cheaper plastics in the lower reaches." - Kelley Blue Book

The interior of the 2022 Buick Encore has been equipped with QuietTuning Technology that absorbs all-sort noise and insulates the cabin. In addition, there are two accents of Cloth with Leatherette seat trims namely Ebony and Shale. It also receives the electric heater as the newly added standard feature.    

The 2022 Encore gets leather-wrapped adjustable steering with cruise control. As far as cargo capacity is concerned, the range varies from 19 cu-ft to 48.4 cu-ft, depending on the rear seat posture. One can even opt for the Buick Interior Protection Package at $200 that adds all-weather floor mats and a premium carpeted cargo map.   

The datasheet indicates towards the 1.2-inch better cargo volume in the Buick Encore than the Mazda CX-3. However, when it comes to shoulder room in both rows, HR-V offers 2-inch more than the Encore. Considering the interior engagement directs towards the standard Buick Infotainment System with a 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen. 

The Buick has given Encore a 4.2-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center in its 2022 model year. Simultaneously, the sound enrichment is managed by the standard 6-speaker audio system that can be upgraded to 7-speaker Bose Premium Audio System. Some of the notable features have been listed down as well:    

• QuietTuning Technology
• Cloth with Leatherette seat trims
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Six-speaker audio system
• Voice recognition

"It has the upscale appearance and curvaceous sheetmetal." - Car And Driver

The exterior styling of the 2022 Buick Encore is glittered with 6 exterior color options. Among those, the Summit White remains the standard while the optional ones like the Cinnabar Metallic and White Frost Tricoat cost $495 and $1,095 respectively. Its front further includes the Signature LED Daylight Running Lamps and the top can be attached with a power moonroof at $900. 

The 2022 Encore hosts 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires as standards. However, one can ride on optional 18-inch 5-spoke wheels with Midnight Silver finish after an investment of $1,855. There are solar-absorbing windshields as well that refrain from the solar rays and maintain interior temperature threshold. 

According to data, the Buick Encore is 200 lbs heavier than the CX-3 but has a relative dimension compared to it resulting in parallel handling altogether. When the HR-V is columned against the Encore, that extra 0.8-inch ground clearance of the latter does give it slight ease in drive on rough terrains. Some of the notable exterior features have been listed down: 

• Sharp LED headlights
• LED piano key tail lamps
• Matte black grille
• Power folded side mirrors
• 18-inch wheels
• solar-absorbing windshields

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"The biggest problem is this little Buick's lack of standard advanced safety features." - cars.com

The 2022 Buick Encore has a safety rating of a 5-star by NHTSA and a "Good" by IIHS. However, Buick Encore does not make it to the "Top Safety Pick" Award for the 2022 model year. Another downside of this 5-seater SUV, it lacks standard safety features. The advanced safety features that are worth considering but are optional are noted below along with standard assets:

• StabiliTrak
• Side Blind Zone Alert (Optional)
• Lane Departure Warning (Optional)
• Rear Cross-traffic Alert (Optional)
• Forward Collision Alert (Optional)

2022 Buick Encore VS 2022 Mazda CX-3

The 2022 Buick Encore lags behind the 2022 Mazda CX-3 in performance and corresponding power surge. Yet, it offers better fuel economy. Even the spaciousness is parallel to a large extent in both SUVs. Therefore, the CX-3 gets preference over Buick Encore here.   

2022 Buick Encore VS 2022 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Buick Encore is favored in performance and acceleration parameter over the 2022 Honda HR-V. But fuel economy compensates for the HR-V quite comfortably. Even the cabin roominess is more balanced for the HR-V than the Buick including cargo capacity. On the whole, HR-V takes the edge between the two. 

2022 Buick Encore VS 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona comes with better acceleration and quarter-mile dragging abilities than the 2022 Hyundai Kona. But it has to struggle when it is compared against it in terms of fuel economy. Space management remains at par with one another as the variations are significantly low. Therefore, both can be equally placed on the same bar.  

The 2022 Buick is one practical 5-seater small SUV with both performance and fuel economy. But it surely lacks the offers inside the cabin, around the frame and powertrain output that are being there in its rivals like the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V. The infotainment unit needs a much needed upgrade and standard safety technology asks for refreshment. Therefore, for now, the Buick Encore is not the first pick in the class.