Looking for a crossover SUV with a quiet cabin, user-friendly technology and city-friendly compact size? The 2017 Buick Encore might be worth your consideration. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Transcript
BRYN MACKINNON: I'm Bryn MacKinnon from Edmunds, and this is an Edmunds expert rundown of the 2017 Buick Encore. For 2017, you'll notice that the Buick Encore gets a new look upfront, some improved cabin materials, and it gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of the new IntelliLink infotainment system. Carrying over from last year, the Encore still gets its power from a small four cylinder engine. That engine delivers decent fuel economy, but it doesn't have much power. And as a result, the Encore is one of the slowest cars in its segment. But there are definitely a few things to like about the Encore, like the quiet highway ride, the multiple available tech features, and its excellent crash test scores. Basically, this is a compact vehicle with a bit more of a luxury feel than we're used to in the segment. Unfortunately for the Encore, that compact size means it doesn't have a lot of space. It looks like a crossover, but the back seat is a bit cramped for adults. And cargo space in the trunk is subpar for this segment. The bottom line is the Encore is likeable, especially if you're looking for a small luxury adjacent crossover with a quiet ride. But there are better overall options out there for driving fun, cargo space, and value. We recommend taking a look at the Honda HR-V. The Mazda CX-3, and the Fiat 500X. For more Edmunds expert rundowns, click the link to subscribe.
Small though it may be compared to Buicks past, the 2017 Buick Encore embodies many of the virtues that have sustained the brand over the decades. It's quiet, it's trimmed with nearly luxurious elegance and it's available with a wide array of features.
Change isn't readily apparent for the 2017 model year Encore. The front end has been tweaked with a new grille design framed by new headlights. In back, new taillights feature LED elements for better visibility, whether it's a clear day or a night shrouded in soupy fog. Inside, Buick has added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the available menu of entertainment systems. In fact, the entire personal technology interface has been significantly improved. Bring your phone for a proper tech test drive.
Because the Encore is small, it's also very maneuverable. The driving position is high, the chassis is nimble and the Encore can squirt through openings in traffic that would thwart larger, more powerful vehicles. True, it's not a sports car. But then again, it doesn't attract attention like a sports car.
If only it had more power. All 2017 Encores come with 1.4-liter turbocharged engines under their hoods. The standard version pokes out 138 horsepower and feeds a standard six-speed automatic transmission that in turn sends power to either the front wheels or all of them with the optional full-time all-wheel-drive system.
The optional 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine is available in the Sport Touring trim and isn't just another version of the standard engine, despite the same nominal displacement. It uses direct fuel injection and a slightly higher compression ratio to produce 153 horsepower. It feeds the same transmission and drivetrains.
In terms of fuel economy, a two-wheel drive Encore Sport Touring generates the best EPA ratings: 30 mpg combined (27 city/33 highway). Add all-wheel drive to that vehicle and the ratings drop to 28 mpg combined (26 city/31 highway).
In addition to the entry-level Preferred model and the Sport Touring, the Encore is available in three other trims: Preferred II, Essence and Premium, all offering various combinations of comfort, tech and safety features.
Small crossovers are displacing small sedans and hatchbacks as the entry-level vehicles for buyers entering the new car market. Whether you're that first timer or a confirmed small-crossover convert, let Edmunds help you find just the right 2017 Buick Encore for you.
2017 Buick Encore Overview
The 2017 Buick Encore is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), and Essence 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A). Encore models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2017 Encore comes with front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic. The 2017 Encore comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What should I pay for a new 2017 Buick Encore?
2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $28795. The average price paid for a new 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $2375 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2375 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $26420.
The average savings for the 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is 8.2% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Buick Encore Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Buick Encore Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $28160. The average price paid for a new 2017 Buick Encore Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $3656 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $3656 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $24504.
The average savings for the 2017 Buick Encore Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is 13% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) 2017 Buick Encore Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $27340. The average price paid for a new 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $595 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $595 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $26745.
The average savings for the 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is 2.2% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $26930. The average price paid for a new 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $1037 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1037 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $25893.
The average savings for the 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is 3.9% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $27205. The average price paid for a new 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $2336 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2336 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $24869.
The average savings for the 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is 8.6% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $25290. The average price paid for a new 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $1381 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1381 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $23909.
The average savings for the 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) is 5.5% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Is the 2017 Buick Encore a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Buick Encore and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Encore featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What do people think of the 2017 Buick Encore? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Buick Encore and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Encore a 4.8 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Encore.
Vehicle Essence 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Review I have driven and owned everything from Mercedes , to Mini Cooper S to corvettes , seriously I have. With all that said I needed a vehicle with some cargo space and awd. I am very impressed with everything about this car. The interior is appointed nicely and the control layout is user friendly. The car handles very well and I had no problem getting on the speedway here. I love the car and I am suprised just how much I do. It's as they said not my Father's Buick.
2017 Buick Encore inventory listings Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Buick Encore for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 184 new and 210 used and CPO 2017 Encores listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 15868 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Buick Encore. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 3656 on a new, used, or CPO 2017 Encore available from one of 2633 dealerships in your area.
How can Edmunds help? Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
MPG
2017 buick encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), 6-speed shiftable automatic, regular unleaded 28 combined MPG 25 city MPG/33 highway MPG
2017 buick encore Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), 6-speed shiftable automatic, regular unleaded 27 combined MPG 24 city MPG/30 highway MPG
2017 buick encore Essence 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), 6-speed shiftable automatic, regular unleaded 28 combined MPG 25 city MPG/33 highway MPG
What options are available on the 2017 Buick Encore?
Available Buick Encore 2017 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Buick Encore 2017 Trims: PreferredLeatherPremiumConvenienceEssenceBasePreferred IISport Touring
Exterior Colors: Ebony Twilight Metallic/Black Carbon MetallicCarbon Black Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicQuicksilver Metallic/Black Carbon MetallicSummit White/Black Carbon MetallicWhite Frost Tricoat/Satin Nickel MetallicGraphite Gray Metallic/Black Carbon MetallicQuicksilver Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicSatin Steel Gray Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicDeep Espresso Brown Metallic/Dark Cocoa AshCoppertino Metallic/Black Carbon MetallicCocoa Silver Metallic/Dark Cocoa AshWinterberry Red Metallic/Black Carbon MetallicBlack Cherry Metallic/Black Carbon MetallicCoastal Blue Metallic/Black Carbon MetallicWhite Pearl Tricoat/Satin Nickel Metallic Ruby Red Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicGraphite Gray Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicWinterberry Red Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicWhite Pearl Tricoat/Satin Nickel MetallicRiver Rock Metallic/Dark Cocoa AshBrilliant Blue Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicSummit White/Dark Argent MetallicRosewood Metallic/Dark Cocoa AshCoastal Blue Metallic/Dark Argent MetallicGlacier Blue Metallic/Dark Argent Metallic
