2018 Buick Encore

The 2018 Buick Encore comes in 6 trim levels: 1SV, Preferred, Preferred II, Sport Touring, Essence, and Premium. All the trims are powered by a 1.4-liter inline-4 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission features manual-style shifting through a rocker switch on top of the lever on FWD models. The Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, and Premium models have the option of upgrading their engine with direct-injection technology which adds 15 horsepower and 29 lb.-ft. of torque.

Trims	Encore 1SV	Preferred	Sport Touring	Preferred II	Essence	Premium
MSRP (FWD)	$22,990	$24,365	$25,565	$26,865	$29,065	$30,465
MSRP (AWD)	N/A	$25,865	$27,065	$28,365	$30,565	$32,015
Features	4G Wi-Fi hotspot	1SV+	Preferred +	Preferred+	Preferred II +	Essence +
	Enhanced 4.2″ multi-color Driver Information Center	Rear Cargo Cover	Exclusive Rear, integrated Sport Spoiler	Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Heated driver and front passenger seats	Bose Premium 7-speaker sound system
	Keyless Open and Start	Front and rear color-keyed floor mats	Remote Vehicle Starter System	Side Blind Zone Alert	6-way power adjustable front passenger seat	Rainsense Wipers
	QuietTuning technology with Active Noise Cancellation		Fog lamps	Dual-zone automatic climate control	Heated Steering Wheel	Front and Rear Park Assist
	Rear Vision Camera			Inside auto-dimming rearview mirror	Memory setting for driver seat	Forward Collision Alert
	6-way power adjustable driver seat			Remote Vehicle Starter System	LED headlamps	Lane Departure Warning
				Fog lamps		Cargo Net and Rear Carpeted Cargo Mat

FWD is standard, although all trims except for the base 1SV trim can be upgraded to AWD for an additional $1,500. Encore’s engine runs on regular fuel, in contrast to the premium grade fuel required by some of Encore’s chief rivals. This is done to complement Encore’s economic persona.

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The Encore comes equipped with a lot of standard equipment even at the base level. Still, the engine without the direct-injection upgrade feels a little low on power. It is a good idea to opt for the Essence trim as it adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seating, and few extra safety items. Not to mention the more powerful engine for those quick takeovers.

“You have two engine options in the Encore, but neither is especially impressive. The base engine is a 138-horsepower turbo-four that feels strained when carrying a full carload of people. The acceleration also feels sluggish. A 153-horsepower turbo-four is available; its performance won’t wow anyone, but it does a better job than the base engine” – Cars.USnews

Engine and Transmission

The standard powertrain of the 2018 Buick Encore comprises of a 1.4 liter inline 4 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The top 4 trims also have the option of increasing the output of the engine with direct-injection technology. The powertrain yields decent acceleration and a high economy.

Models	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mazda CX-3
MSRP	$22,990	$21,000	$20,110
Engine	1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4	1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4	2.0-L SKYACTIV-G 4-CYL
Transmission	6-speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic
Power	138 hp @ 6000 rpm	138 hp @ 4900 rpm	146 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	148 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm	148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm	146 lbs.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

The base engine of Encore is at par with Chevy Trax’s base engine in terms of power and torque. It is worth noting, though, that Encore is almost $9,000 cheaper than Trax. The Mazda CX-3 has the most powerful base engine amongst the three, and also the least price. CX-3 generates more power, but a little less torque than Encore.

Acceleration

The 2018 Chevy Encore does well as a city commuter. Its engine provides just enough power for a decent ride, though not enough for speedy takeovers on the highway or gunning it at a stop light. The 6-speed transmission is smooth and quiet, but still provides a leisurely acceleration.

Models	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mazda CX-3
0-60 MPH	8.4  sec	9.0 sec	8.6 sec
Quarter mile	16.2 sec @ 86 mph	16.8 sec @ 80.9 mph	16.3 sec @ 83.3 mph
Engine	1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4	1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4	2.0-L SKYACTIV-G 4-CYL
Emission Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year	6.3	6.3	5.7

The smooth transmission allows Encore to be faster than Chevy Trax or Mazda CX-3 in the 0-60 mph test by a significant margin, but Mazda almost catches up with Encore on the quarter mile mark. That’s because although the transmission is smooth, the engine lacks the power to stretch Encore’s abilities at higher speeds, or when the car has a couple of people.

Handling and Steering

The 2018 Buick Encore is not a big vehicle, hence its maneuverability is quite high. It doesn’t have a sporty handling, but still provides enough feedback from the road to be agile around turns and on crowded roads.

The steering wheel feels vague at times, and a bit too light at times. Although Buick has a tall and small body, it had surprisingly restricted body roll and a nice ride quality. Even on rough roads, the suspension does well to provide a smooth ride.

Braking

The 2018 Buick Encore has a satisfyingly firm brake pedal that is both reassuring and capable. No matter your speed, the Encore provides sharp body control thanks to its firm suspension as well as Four-wheel disc brakes and their linear stopping power.

Model	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mazda CX-3
Brake pads-front (in)	11.8	11.8	11.0
Brake pads Rear (in)	10.6	11.0	11.1
Curb weight (lbs.)	3237	2805	2809
60-0 MPH (ft.)	126	121	118

The Encore is heavier than most of its competitors, and although it provides a strong brake feel, it does not do significantly well in panic stops. The Honda Pilot, though only slightly lighter than Encore, takes 15 feet less than Encore in the 60 – 0 panic stop test. 

The Encore earns respectable numbers in the mileage department. With a combined mileage of 30, the 2018 Buick Encore definitely has above class average economy, but there are many who surpass it. If you opt for the direct-injection engine, the city mileage drops by 2 mpg.

Model	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mazda CX-3
MPG (city)	27	25	29
MPG (highway)	33	33	34
MPG (combined)	30	29	31

Chevy Trax matches Encore’s highway mileage, but falls short in the city. The Mazda CX-3 easily emerges as the winner with 29/34 mpg in city/hwy. The Trax would cost you about $100 extra each year, while the Mazda would save you a lot of money compared to Encore.

"The interiors of the new Encore use premium materials and look quite similar to Buick Envision. All models get leather trim, while the top two get full leather. The color options include ebony and shale, while the top two trims have brandy" -Edmunds.com

Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Buick Encore has 4-way power adjusting seat standard across all trims, although recline settings are manual. The Essence and Premium trims get 2 person memory seats. A big letdown is the absence of passenger’s armrest in the front. It cuts the cost a little but makes long journeys for the passenger a little bit annoying.

Model	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mazda CX-3
Passenger capacity	5	5	5
Passenger Volume(ft cube)	92.8	93.0	86.3
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.5/54.1/40.8	39.6/54.1/40.8	37.6/53.5/41.7
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.7/52.5/35.7	38.8/52.8/35.7	37.2/50.4/35

The outward visibility is great thanks to a high seating position. Even at the back row, there is plenty of room to accommodate two adults without any problem. There are two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors. The lower ones are hard to connect as they are deeply embedded in the seats.

Interior Features

Here is a list of the standout features in the 2018 Buick Encore’s cabin:

Standard gauge with 4.2-inch multifunction display

• Satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system
• 2-inch driver information dashboard display
• Rearview camera
• Buick IntelliLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen
• Siri Eyes Free, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
• Two USB ports, Bluetooth, and the OnStar Guidance Plan

Available features include:

• Remote start
• Moonroof
• 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

The 2018 Buick Encore still uses the on-going version of Buick’s IntelliLink system. There is not much to complain, though. The system is responsive and includes modern amenities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Encore has a highly connective infotainment system. Services like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto make for an entertaining trip. The standard setup has a satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a six-speaker audio system, a 4.2-inch driver information dashboard display, and an 8-inch touchscreen

Cargo

The 2018 Buick Encore provides 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Space increases to 48.4 cubic feet once the second row is folded. This a lot for a subcompact SUV, but certain rivals do better. Moreover, the front passenger seat can also be folded, providing even more space when you need it.

Model	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mazda CX-3
Behind Second Row (ft.3)	18.8	18.7	12.4
Second Row Folded (ft.3)	48.4	48.4	44.5

The Trax and Encore are pretty close in the cargo department, although the Trax has 0.1 cubic feet less space behind the second row. The Mazda is not as generous in the cargo department, with only 44.5 cubic feet of maximum storage space.

From grille to the hood, to the roofline, the 2018 Buick Encore puts a modern spin to its solid design. In the front, the waterfall grille is stretched with chrome wing running through. The wings expand to the headlights, which are sleek and sculpted.

Model	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mazda CX-3
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3237	2805	2809
Length (in)	168.4	167.2	168.3
Width (in)	69.85	69.9	69.6
Height (in)	65.26	64.9	60.7
Ground clearance (in)	6.2	6.2	6.1
Wheelbase (in)	100.6	100.6	101.2
Track width (in) F/R	60.6/60.6	60.6/60.6	60/59.9

You don’t truly realize how small the 2018 Buick Encore is until you look at its side profile. With a length of just 168 inches, Encore is one of the smallest crossovers in the market. In the rear, the first delight is the colored Buick badge.

The tail lights also receive a better design, rather than resembling a jellybean-like the Encores of the past. There is a single chrome exhaust. Surprisingly, rear wiper, rear spoiler, and roof rails are standard on all trims.

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 2018 Buick Encore does quite well in the safety tests. It gets 5 out of 5 stars overall, frontal, and in side crash in NHTSA crash tests.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Ratings
Overall	5 out of 5
Front Crash	5 out of 5
Side Crash	5 out of 5
Rollover	4 out of 5

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

Chevy Trax vs Buick Encore

The Encore is basically an upscale version of the Chevy Trax. Being GM’s prodigies, they both share a lot of basic features. Both the SUVs are similar in engine power and economy, but Encore takes the lead in interior quality, smoother ride, and a quieter cabin.

The Trax shares the base engine with Encore but has no option of upgrading it with direct-injection technology. So, The Encore is clearly a better choice. Although Trax has a lower base price, so opt for it if you wanna save a few bucks.

Mazda CX-3 vs Buick Encore

Overall, the Mazda CX-3 delivers a more all-around performance. It has a more potent engine, more luxurious interiors, and a sportier handling. Mazda also gets a better economy than Encore. Encore advantages lie in the rear seat, which is much more spacious than Mazda’s. Also, Encore has more standard and available features.

But going by 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.

The 2018 Buick Encore makes sure its buyer never regrets a single dollar spent on this tiny SUV. Despite a small size, it has a fairly spacious interior which is comfortable and luxurious. It is easy to handle and provides a smooth ride.

The engine does feel a bit powerless at times, compared to some other compact SUVs. Another weak area for Encore is safety. Although many other features make their way in as standard, safety features were mostly ignored.

The Mazda CX-3 is one of Encore’s biggest rival. It is cheap, powerful, and more luxurious. Even then, there are plenty of reasons to love the Encore for anyone looking for an economic and comfortable ride.