The 2017 Buick Encore's trim lineup consists of 6 variants - Base, Preferred, Sport Touring, Preferred ll, Essence, and Premium. There are also 2 engine options on offer, a base 138 hp 1.4L and a more potent 153 hp version, which is offered as an $895 option on the Sport Touring and above trims. 

The Sport Touring also adds a visual punch to the compact SUVs' appearance with features such as a rear spoiler, 18-inch gray-painted aluminum wheels, and fog lamps. All trims but the Base get an optional AWD drivetrain, while FWD is standard. 

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All trims of the 2017 Encore are aptly loaded for their price. However, we'd suggest you go for the Essence trim as it dials up the premium quotient with leather-appointed seats, Memory feature, and LED headlamps. We also think that getting the more powerful 153 hp engine will be a good choice. Although you can refrain from the AWD drivetrain until all-weather capability is what you need. 

"On the handling front, the Encore feels confident if not particularly sporty, a setup we suspect will suit most buyers just fine."- Edmunds

The 2017 Buick Encore offers 2 engine options - a base 1.4L Inline-4 that's good for 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The secondary engine is an upturned version of the same 1.4L powertrain, which via the means of a lower compression ratio, a slightly bigger bore, and fuel injection, increases the power to 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. 

The 153 hp engine is an $895 option on all trims but the base. Both of the engine options come mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard for the base trim, while the upper trims offer All-Wheel drive as an option.

When compared against the rivals, the Buick Encore's specs do not really come out as impressive. When it comes to sheer power, the Ford Escape leads the charts with its 2.5L Inline-4 engine belting out 168 hp. The Mazda CX-3 rakes in the second spot with 146 hp. The Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore slot in the lower half of the comparison, with both of them running on the same engine setup. 

Acceleration

The 2017 Buick Encore takes around 7.8 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph which is pretty impressive in its class. The Encore clocks the quarter-mile lap in 16.2 seconds at a speed of 86 mph. Both the engines make highway driving and passing quite an effortless task. The mid-sized SUV has also improved pickup making it one of the best choices for everyday usage.

However, with the addition of the AWD drivetrain, the mass is increased, thus resulting in slower acceleration. A 2017 Buick Encore AWD goes from 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds, while clocking the quarter-mile lap in 16.6 seconds at a speed of 83 mph. 

The Buick Encore is the fastest offering in this class, courtesy of its comparatively lighter weight. The Mazda CX-3 follows the suit with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 8.5 seconds. The Ford Escape slots in the third spot, which is not surprising, considering its bigger dimensions. However, the Trax is the slowest, which is a surprise, as it gets the same engine as the Encore. 

Ride and Handling

The 2017 Encore is very much in line with other Buick models and offers an extremely quiet cabin that has been loaded with extensive sound-absorbing materials and active noise-cancellation technology. The suspension is well appreciated for focusing more on comfort rather than handling.

It easily absorbs most bumps and thus offers a plush and comfortable drive. Although you may expect a choppy ride over freeway expansion joints as the SUV has a smaller wheelbase compared to others. On the handling front, the Encore is not really sporty, but definitely confident enough for you to take it around corners at sedate speeds. 

Braking

The 2017 model of the Buick Encore has firm brake pedals that are capable as well as reassuring. With its four-wheel disc brakes having linear stopping power, the SUV is able to control sharp body turn with due help from its firm suspension.

The 2017 Encore gets front and rear brake rotors of 11.8-inches and 10.6-inches respectively. Together, this setup can help the Encore decelerate from 60-0 mph in a distance of 119 feet, which is decent considering its weight that tips over 3200 pounds. 

The Encore's braking performance is at par with the segment standards. All the rivals in this comparison exhibit similar performance, the Mazda CX-3 takes the shortest distance to come to a halt, while the Trax and Encore tie at the second place. The Ford Escape's specs are impressive too as it gets the biggest brake rotors in this class. 

The Buick Encore's fuel economy is decent at best. The 2017 Buick Encore with the base 138 hp engine returns city/highway/combined mpg of 25/33/28. Add the optional AWD drivetrain and the figures further drop to  24/30/27 mpg.

Surprisingly enough, the Encore with the more potent 153 hp engine is more efficient than the base engine, returning 27/33/30 mpg in FWD configuration and 26/31/28 mpg with AWD. The Encore also gets a 14-gallon fuel tank capacity, which returns a highway range of 462 miles. 

Mazda CX-3 is a clear winner in this category and surpasses its peers with the best in class mpg figures. The Encore and Trax tie down at 28 mpg combined, while the Ford Escape is the least fuel-efficient crossover in this class, returning city/highway/combined mpg of 21/29/24. 

"The Encore’s interior dazzles with quality materials and handsome styling." - Cars.USnews

Seating and Comfort

The interior of the 2017 Buick Encore emits a premium vibe, however, it's still far from what one can call luxurious. The cabin has been revamped for the 2017 model year and now looks clean and uncluttered with a new 8.0-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash, soft-touch surfaces, ambient lighting, and metal accents. 

The base trims of the Encore get cloth upholstery, while the more expensive trims up the ante with leather-appointed seating and simulated wood and metal trim. Further, the refinement is also helped by standard active noise cancellation. The cabin insulation is spot on and the ride remains calm at all times. 

Speaking of the space factor, the 2017 Buick Encore can accommodate 5 passengers with the utmost ease. The front seats are comfortable and snug and provide a commanding view of the road ahead. The rear seats too provide ample head- and legroom for 6-footers. Some of the convenience features on offer in the 2017 Encore are:

• 6-way power driver's seat
• Driver’s seat memory setting
• Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats. 
• Dual-zone air condition for driver and front passenger (in higher trims)

Cargo volume

The 2017 Buick Encore offers a cargo capacity of 18.8 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60/40 configuration, which helps expand the storage space to a maximum of 48.4 cubic feet. 

The Buick Encore's cargo capacity is decent when compared against rivals such as the Mazda CX-3 or the Chevrolet Trax. However, when it comes to more popular offerings of this class such as the Ford Escape or even the Honda CR-V, the Encore does not really seem like a wise choice if practicality is what you need. 

Infotainment System

The 2017 Buick Encore gets a new 8.0-inch touchscreen display running the Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system. The screen is quite vivid and easy to interact with. The graphics too are clear and the visibility is not hampered under direct sunlight. The Encore also gets a new 4.2-inch display screen between its gauges.

The 2017 Buick Encore may have smattering similar-looking buttons but the controls are quite intuitive and user-friendly. Unlike other SUVs in the segment, Encore comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some of the other Infotainment features are mentioned below: -

• 8-inch center touchscreen
• Buick Intellilink System
• Satellite radio
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Siri Eyes Free
• Two USB ports
• Bluetooth
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

"The Encore wears a Buick badge, but doesn't pull off the curvy corporate look as well as some of the brand's bigger offerings." - TheCarConnection

The 2017 Buick Encore gets a mild update to its exterior appearance. The front end is now characterized by a new grille that replaces the waterfall look with a new wing-shaped chrome strip. The LED lights have also been redesigned and now boast a tidier look as compared to the previous iteration. The lower intakes are now less prominent and the hood has also been tweaked to look cleaner with a single crease flowing down towards the grille. 

While the front fascia of the Buick tries hard to post an imposing SUV look, the sides and the back pretty much tell the tale of its hatchback roots with a rakish and broad-shouldered stance. The rear end is characterized by neatly integrated tail lamps and a spoiler extending from the top of the tailgate. 

Speaking of size, the Buick Encore's dimensions place it in the middle ground between the smaller Mazda CX-3 and the larger Ford Escape. The curb weight of the Encore is also on the heavier side of the segment, while a ground clearance of 6.2 inches helps it go over bumps and breaks without scrapping its underbody. Some of the most noteworthy exterior features of the 2017 Buick Encore are:

• Roof-mounted side rails
• Heated power-adjustable outside mirrors
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Acoustic windshield
• Deep-tinted glass
• Wipers, front intermittent with pulse washers

The 2017 Encore received a perfect five-star rating for overall crash protection, frontal protection, and side-impact protection from the crash test conducted by the government agencies. The IIHS too gave Encore the highest possible rating of Good in its moderate-overlap and small-overlap front-impact, side-impact, and roof-strength crash tests. Below is a detailed breakdown of 2017 Buick Encore's IIHS and NHTSA crash test ratings. 

NHTSA Rating

IIHS Rating

Apart from the impressive crash-test results, the Encore further enforces its safety quotient with plenty of safety and driver-assistance features such as:

• Passenger Sensing System
• Traction control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Cross-traffic alert
• Programmable Child Security Locks
• OnStar Guidance 
• OnStar Basic 
• Theft-Deterrent System PASS-Key III 
• Engine immobilizer

2017 Buick Encore vs 2017 Mazda CX-3

The Mazda CX-3 can be called the best example of an all-rounder vehicle in its class as this compact SUV boasts a peppy engine and superb responsive handling. You'll be impressed with its ride quality. The car has been embedded with high-quality materials and comfortable front seats along with maximum rear-seat space. Although, the Mazda would cost you $3,000 less than the Buick and it can be a good choice for you if you are looking for a car with sporty driving experience.

2017 Buick Encore vs 2017 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax by Chevrolet is basically a moderately expensive and less upscale version of the 2017 Buick Encore. Both compact SUVs share a similar base engine and almost the same fuel economy. But the Buick stands out with its nicer cabin and a bunch of essential standard features. The Trax doesn't provide an optional engine like the Encore for buyers who are looking for more power in this range. Encore not only delivers better ride quality than the Chevrolet Trax but is also rich in luxury.

2017 Buick Encore vs 2017 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is one of the most popular offerings in the compact crossover segment. The Escape gets a bigger 2.5L engine, belting out more power than the Buick Encore. The Escape also offers 2 engine options for you to choose from. However, the Buick Encore is faster than the Escape due to its lighter weight and smaller dimensions. Apart from that, even in terms of space, Ford offers better legroom in the first row and also has better cargo capacity. 

Ranked among the top subcompact SUVs, the 2017 Buick Encore boasts one of the best interiors in its class along with securing top-notch predicted reliability ratings. Its performance may lack the wow factor but this car carries a capable engine and composed handling. With a good list of standard features, the Buick Encore may not be the perfect upscale SUV but it is certainly a good car for everyday commuting with good gas mileage.