2018 Buick Encore

Slotted below the Enclave and the Envision, the 2018 Buick Encore is a perfect compact crossover for practical needs. Having been a familiar name for quite a while now, the Encore wins over its loyal fan base with its impressive exterior silhouette and a modern and practical interior setup. Having said that, coming over the performance aspect of the Encore, it certainly lags in that department, despite having two optional engine choices. With a minimal set of features being introduced this year, the 2018 Encore rivals the likes of the Chevrolet Trax, and the Mazda CX-3.

The 2018 Buick Encore is offered in over 6 trim levels, namely Encore 1SV, Preferred, Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, and Premium. The prices for the same start from an MSRP of $22,990 for the 1SV trim, while the top-of-the-line Premium trim sets you back by around $30,465. Two turbocharged engine choices are offered with the Encore, along with a single 6-speed transmission unit. FWD is standard across the trim range, except for the base one. The feature list also keeps on increasing as you move up the trim table.

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Our recommendation out of the six trims in the lineup would be for you to opt for the Buick Encore Sport Touring trim, which will set you back by a reasonable $25,565 price tag. The main reason for choosing this particular trim is the direct port injection-assisted turbocharged engine, which puts down more power. The standard equipment in itself is quite appealing. Add to it the optional packages on offer, and you should get your money's worth.

You have two engine options in the Encore, but neither is especially impressive – Cars.USnews

2018 Buick Encore Engine and Transmission

The 2018 Buick Encore's power duties are taken care of by two differently tuned 1.4L turbocharged Inline-4 units. The base and the standard multi-port injection system allow the Encore to put down 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. This is for the base trims. The Sport Touring trims and above are treated with a direct-port injection system which should be good for about 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque.

Available in both FWD and AWD setups, the Encore is able to put down the power correctly and in a more efficient manner with the help of a slick 6-speed automatic transmission. This is in fact enough to offer you decent acceleration times and an inspired ride and handling dynamics.

Both the Chevrolet Trax and the Buick Encore deliver the same amount of power figures. On paper, the Encore's power figures might look a bit underpowered as compared to that of the CX-3, but the power is properly put down quite early in the rev band, which gives it a massive edge over the CX-3 in terms of acceleration times.

2018 Buick Encore Acceleration

The 2018 Buick Encore can sprint from 0-60 MPH in a tad less than 9 seconds. This is with the 138 hp turbocharged motor in place. Although, when you consider the 153 hp turbocharged engine running point, the 2018 Encore reportedly brings down that 0-60 MPH time to 8.4 seconds.

The quarter-mile barrier is crossed over at a decent 16.2 seconds. With its low-end torque, it is able to put down the power much more early on, which gives it an edge when compared to its rivals. Moreover, it is also able to tame that 3000 lb heft, which is commendable.

2018 Buick Encore Ride and Handling

Petite in its dimensions, the 2018 Buick Encore is more or less like a hatchback wading through jam-packed city streets with absolute ease. Maneuvering it is quite easy, given that it also has quite a responsive steering. It can take on corners quite well too, although there is adequate body roll too because of the heft. The new suspension bits also do their part by providing a comfortable ride all throughout. The 2018 Encore is certainly agile and nimble in its handling dynamics.

2018 Buick Encore Braking

The 2018 Buick Encore with 11.8-inch front rotor discs and 10.6-inch rear rotor discs can come to a dead stop from 60 MPH in just about 126 ft. This turns out to be the worst performance in the segment, despite Encore's 3237 lbs heft. 

The brakes are quite reassuring and have nice feedback to them. The Mazda CX-3, on the other hand, surprisingly even with the smallest rotors in place, and also being one of the lightest crossovers of the lot, gets down to a dead stop in 118 ft, which is commendable.

The 2018 Buick Encore is able to deliver 25 MPG in the city and 33 miles to the gallon out on the highway. This is with the 138 hp 1.4L turbo engine and the FWD setup. On opting for the AWD setup, the Encore brings down the figures to 24 and 30 MPG in the city and highway respectively. This when combined with the segment-best 14-gallon fuel tank, does allow the Encore to stretch out to 462 miles on the go.

These above figures were with an MPFI system, whereas, when you opt for the direct-injection system, the 2018 Buick Encore can return 27 MPG in the city and 33 miles to the gallon out on the highway with the FWD setup. The Encore with the AWD setup, on the other hand, returns 26 and 31 MPG in the city and highway respectively.

The interiors of the new Encore use premium materials and look quite similar to Buick Envision - Edmunds.com

The 2018 Buick Encore certainly gives the other rivals a run for their money, in terms of its striking yet subtle interior setup. With a seating capacity of 5, the 2018 Encore is adequately spacious, both in the front and rear seats. The front bolstered seats hold you in comfort quite well, while the rear seats are decently comfortable. The tall stance of the Encore, suggests good headroom in the rear too.

The front seats are 4 way electrically adjustable, while the rear seats get 2-way functionality. The standard sets of seats are draped in cloth upholstery, while when you opt for the top trims, premium leather upholstery is also an option. The cabin may be striking in its appearance, but it does have its usual touch and feel of plastics all over. 

Some of the interior features included in the 2018 Buick Encore are-

• Remote start
• Moonroof
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• 6-way power-adjustable rear seats
• 60/40-split folding rear seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated steering wheel
• Driver seat memory settings

2018 Buick Encore Infotainment

Technologically sound, the 2018 Buick Encore has a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interface is quite easy and surprisingly intuitive to use. It has a highly interactive infotainment system, which also includes the optional likes of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, for entertainment purposes. Along with this, the audio requirements for all the audiophiles out there have also been met, with the latest premium 8-speaker surround sound system. Further additions to the infotainment front include the addition of the HD Radio.

Some of the infotainment features included with the 2018 Encore are-

• Satellite HD radio
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• 8-speaker surround sound system
• 4.3-inch driver information dashboard display
• Rearview camera
• Siri Eyes Free,
• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay
• Two USB ports

2018 Buick Encore Cargo Capacity-

The 2018 Buick Encore is able to deliver a segment-best cargo capacity of 18.8 cu. ft. This is despite the fact of its shortest wheelbase in the segment. Moreover, when the seats are folded down into a 60/40 manner, that space increases to 48.4 cu. ft. This is mighty impressive for a subcompact crossover.

The Encore also has plenty of interior storage space to store your belongings for the upcoming weekend ride. Mazda CX-3 surprisingly even with the longest wheelbase in the segment, has the smallest cargo storage amongst all.

The 2018 Buick Encore is actually pretty decent to look at. With a quirky design language, the Encore certainly stands out from the rest of the segment. Chrome accents are in plenty all through the SUV. The front bulky grill is actuated by even bigger headlights flowing through the corners. New wheel patterns also adorn the 2018 Encore.

The vehicle as a whole exhibits a bulky attitude instead of some of its competitors' sharp cuts and creases design layout. Also added to the list of changes being brought about for the year 2018, is the new exterior shade of Coppertino Metallic. The smallest crossover in this lineup still manages to add in plenty of space for seating and also for cargo carrying purposes too.

Some of the exterior features include:

• LED headlights in Essence and Premium
• Fog lamps
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Rear spoiler

Buick offerings are not necessarily known for their safety proficiency, but nevertheless, they do come with some of the best features in the business. The 2018 Buick Encore earns a perfect 5 on 5 stars from the NHTSA in terms of crashworthiness. The IIHS also gives the Encore an overall "Good" rating for the same. It further has the best in terms of both active and passive safety features. This goes to show that the 2018 Encore is indeed a safe SUV.

Some of the standard safety features included are:

• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Forward collision alert
• Parking assist
• Lane departure warning
• Traction Control
• Passenger Sensing system

2018 Buick Encore vs 2018 Chevrolet Trax

Similar to each other in every which way possible, it seems like an impossible task to differentiate between these two. The feature list both of them offer is also the same. While both these GM offerings have the same powertrain offer, the Encore is a bit faster than the Trax from 0-60 MPH, despite its heft.

Coming onto the interior, it's the 2018 Encore all the way, as the cabin space is a bit more premium, and the Encore manages to deliver a bigger cargo space. Out of the two, the Chevy Trax is a bit cheaper than the Encore.

2018 Buick Encore vs 2018 Mazda CX-3

Certainly the most gorgeous sub-compact crossover out there, and maybe also one of the most stunning cars to make its entry in 2018, the Encore is definitely no match to it in terms of exterior design layout. Coming onto the interior and performance front too, the CX-3 symbolizes everything an average family would expect from their car.

The most powerful car in the segment is also the SUV that has the greatest feature list amongst all its rivals. The Encore only manages to nudge past the CX-3 in terms of cargo space, and also acceleration times, wherein it beats the CX-3 by a whisker.

The 2018 Buick Encore is certainly a capable sub-compact crossover, but nevertheless, it certainly is in dire need of an overall. Despite, it lagging in terms of exterior design language, the Encore for sure offers a competitive feature-list all for a consumer-friendly price tag. It has a fairly spacious cabin space, which is good for both seating and cargo. Safety-wise too, the 2018 Buick Encore has definitely aced all of the said tests. Having said that, with reports buzzing of an Encore redesign in the coming years, we would suggest for you to wait for it rather than jump the un and buy this version.

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2018 Buick Encore FAQs

What are the trims on offer with the Buick Encore?

The 2018 Buick Encore is offered in a total of 6 trims, namely 1SV, Preferred, Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, Premium.

What are the warranty packages offered by Buick with the Encore?

Buick offers the Encore with an extensive warranty package. The 2018 Encore gets a Limited warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty of 6 years or 70,000 miles.

What are the changes brought about in the 2018 Encore?

Changes brought about for the 2018 Encore are not a lot. Having said that, the 2018 Encore does get an HD radio, standard capless fuel filler, and a brand new exterior color called Coppertino Metallic.