2017 Buick Encore Review
2017 Buick Encore Review





+123
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review

byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
- Quiet interior on the highway
- Excellent crash-test scores
- Small engines deliver solid fuel economy
- Long list of tech and safety features
Cons
- Tepid performance from base engine
- Small cargo area can't swallow much luggage
What’s new
The 2017 Buick Encore received a modest facelift that includes revised front-end styling. On the inside, you'll find a restyled instrument panel with easier-to-use controls, upgraded interior materials and a new technology interface that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
Vehicle overview
You wouldn't guess it at first glance, but the diminutive 2017 Buick Encore actually embodies many of the elements that Buick, a brand known for building large luxury sedans, has traditionally stood for. Those elements include a hushed cabin, near-luxury trim, and a long list of upscale features.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Buick Encore Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.23 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$141/mo
Encore Preferred
vs
$177/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
For 2017, the Encore gets a few small updates to keep pace with a growing class of competitors. A subtly restyled front end includes new headlights and a new grille design. LED taillamps add additional visibility when you hit the brakes, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are welcome additions to the upgraded technology interface. The instrument panel also features a new design that includes easier-to-use controls and a new gauge cluster layout.
The Encore's small size makes for impressive maneuverability in urban traffic and parking lots, but its base engine leaves the little crossover wanting more when it comes time to enter the freeway. The optional four-cylinder engine that offers a bit more horsepower is worth serious consideration.
Many buyers might still be put off by the Encore's snug interior, which includes a tight backseat and less cargo room than larger crossovers like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. There's also an insurgence of similarly subcompact competitors to contend with, including the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Fiat 500X.
Standard safety features for the 2017 Buick Encore include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front knee airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a rearview camera. Also included is OnStar, which provides automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and stolen vehicle assistance.
A blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on Sport Touring and higher trim levels, while forward collision and lane departure warning systems are standard on the Encore Premium.
In government crash tests the Encore received a perfect five-star rating for overall crash protection, frontal protection and side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Encore the highest possible rating of Good in its moderate-overlap and small-overlap front-impact, side-impact and roof-strength crash tests.
In Edmunds testing, a front-drive Encore stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet, which is average for this class.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
A quiet cabin, user-friendly technology and city-friendly compact size make the 2017 Buick Encore worth a look if more conventional crossover SUVs simply seem too large. Modest performance and tight quarters limit the Encore's appeal, however.
Driving
Driving the 2017 Buick Encore is an experience very much in line with what you'd expect from Buick. The cabin is extremely quiet for the segment with extensive sound-deadening materials and active noise-cancelling technology. The suspension is also tuned to favor comfort over handling, and so not surprisingly it soaks up most bumps with little drama. The short wheelbase does mean the ride can get choppy over freeway expansion joints, however.
On the handling front, the Encore feels confident if not particularly sporty, a setup we suspect will suit most buyers just fine. On the upside, this SUV's small size and tight turning radius give it a nimble feel larger compact SUVs can't match.
When equipped with the standard 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder 138-hp engine, the Encore feels a little too slow for our tastes. Unless you're interested in maximum fuel efficiency, we would advise you to consider the optional 153-hp engine.
Interior
The 2017 Buick Encore features comfortable front seats and a high seating position that offers a commanding view of the road. In back, the seats offer enough head- and legroom for 6-footers but there's no denying that it's a tight fit for both adults and rear-facing child seats. The interior layout includes a number of storage spaces, including a drawer under the front passenger seat on cloth-upholstered models that's useful for stashing valuables you'd rather not leave out in plain sight.
As for the surroundings, the Encore's cabin has a high-end atmosphere on higher trim levels, featuring soft-touch materials and handsome simulated wood and metal trim. Aside from a smattering of similar-looking buttons, the controls are fairly intuitive and easy to access. A high point for this year is the improved layout of the center stack controls, including the updated 8-inch center touchscreen for the IntelliLink infotainment system.
The interior also comes up short in the cargo-carrying department, with 18.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 48.4 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded down. Those numbers are similar to subcompact SUV competitors, but fall far short of more popular compact crossovers like the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. The Encore's standard fold-flat front passenger seat does give it some added flexibility.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 Buick Encore.
5 star(68%)
4 star(19%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(3%)
31 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Mighty Mouse goes to the Opera
Hebert Morris, 01/02/2017
2017 Buick Encore Essence 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
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.
5 out of 5 stars
Encore much improved
Joyce Beeler, 04/25/2018
2017 Buick Encore Premium 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Compared to my 2015 Encore, this is greatly improved. I wanted two improvement and both were corrected. The engine was upped to give better performance. The interior audio, nav, etc were so difficult to learn how to use and now they are VERY user friendly.
5 out of 5 stars
Buick Encore is the main act
Ron, 11/17/2017
2017 Buick Encore Essence 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
This is a small SUV, but large enough for most. Very comfortable and easy to get around town. Feels great on the highway also
After 6 months very happy we purchased this SUV
Runs great
5 out of 5 stars
Was a great car, had to trade in due to size
sskipp@fop.net, 04/23/2017
2017 Buick Encore Preferred II 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Updated: wife has to use a mobility scooter. Would not fit in car. Had to trade in after a year. Poor resale value but no choice. Back to a RAV4. Great size, what we should have gotten instead but was trying to save $. I do miss this car for the comfort and driving.
UPDATED: After 10K miles and 9 months of ownership, I have only a couple of negatives. Price, without rebates, … is excessive. No passenger armrest is unforgivable. Cargo area is a bit tight and I wish it had a bit more room for things. Everything else is good or great, mostly great. Front seats have helped with my neuropathy by supporting the back of my legs. Car holds road at well over speed limit, handles great, and is like when I owned my Mini Countryman - like driving a go-kart. Shifts great. Enough power. No complaints. Everything has worked as it should and provides a good value when you consider rebates. I would recommend this car to everyone and anyone.....most don't realize it, but this is one amazing car and will fit the bill for many even if they don't know it yet. Headlights with fog lights on are simply amazing. I've never owned a car I have enjoyed so much and am so glad to have. Quiet ride. Great radio. Too many goods to mention.
We purchased this about a week ago. We've logged over 500 miles and while it is a good car in lots of ways, some basic things seem to have eluded the engineers at Buick. Note, this is made in South Korea, not in the USA as would be assumed if it has the Buick name. The biggest complaint I have to start out with is the lack of a passenger armrest, and the almost completely useless one attached to the driver's seat. Come on, really, no center arm rest? We didn't realize it during our short test drive, but it is very annoying. Two adults sitting side by side in the front, are sucking up each other's oxygen. The cabin feels cramped. And that you could deal with if there were a stupid center armrest. Many things about this car are great - gas mileage is about 27 mpg with mixed driving, and a quiet ride and decent handling of bumps. Steering is easy and accurate, and easy to get into a parking spot. The A/C and heat work well. The car has a decent feel about it, not cheesy or junky. It is smaller than other SUV's, and I'd say over priced for the size and functionality of this car. BUT, we needed a less expensive car and still wanted an SUV, with AWD. This, coupled with the 16% off from GM, it turned out to be the answer for us to downsize our car payments. For the pricepoint of $25K after discounts, you get an SUV, with AWD, and a host of features that you could not get on other SUV's. So, it fits the bill. Awesome LED daytime lights, which double as parking lights and turn signals, LED tail lights and brake lights, which is really amazing. Plus, fog lights. Auto on/off lights. Navigation. Carplay (although it is buggy). Side blind spot monitors in the mirrors. Upgraded cool 18" wheels with nice tires. A real spare (mini spare, but not a can of flat fix). And the car is overall a good value for the money, compared to the SUV I have for my use. Without the 16% back, I would not have bought this as it would have been out of my price expectations. It isn't perfect, but for what it is, and what it cost, I'd say it is a decent value. You have more leg room up front than you'll need. This helps the back seat passengers, who could not fit unless the seats are slid forward. The cargo area is small, but the rear seats do fold down and that opens up alot of space. This fit our plan to shrink our car payments and provides a decent value with the 16% off sale.
2017 Buick Encore video
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.
2017 Buick Encore Expert Rundown
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.
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $22,990
- MPG & Fuel
- 25 City / 33 Hwy / 28 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.0 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 138 hp @ 4,900 rpm
- Torque: 148 lb-ft @ 1,850 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50,000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 168.4 in. / Height: 65.3 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 69.9 in.
- Curb Weight: 3,237 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 18.8 cu.ft.
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover19.8%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
People who viewed this also viewed
3.5 average Rating out of 4 reviews. |
Starting at $25,900 |
See Inventory |
4.3 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $44,800 |
See Inventory |
4.6 average Rating out of 5 reviews. |
Starting at $21,400 |
See Inventory |
More about the 2017 Buick Encore
Used 2017 Buick Encore Overview
The Used 2017 Buick Encore is offered in the following submodels: Encore SUV. Available styles include Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Preferred II 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Essence 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Essence 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Sport Touring 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Premium 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Preferred II 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), Premium 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A), and 1SV 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A). Pre-owned Buick Encore models are available with a 1.4 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 138 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2017 Buick Encore comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 2017 Buick Encore?
Price comparisons for Used 2017 Buick Encore trim styles:
- The Used 2017 Buick Encore Preferred is priced between $14,590 and$22,990 with odometer readings between 10365 and102361 miles.
- The Used 2017 Buick Encore Essence is priced between $16,590 and$23,998 with odometer readings between 19240 and98971 miles.
- The Used 2017 Buick Encore Sport Touring is priced between $15,998 and$20,998 with odometer readings between 23325 and77695 miles.
- The Used 2017 Buick Encore Premium is priced between $17,977 and$23,998 with odometer readings between 25876 and58241 miles.
- The Used 2017 Buick Encore Preferred II is priced between $17,990 and$23,590 with odometer readings between 11469 and71194 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2017 Buick Encores are available in my area?
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. There are currently 72 used and CPO 2017 Encores listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $14,590 and mileage as low as 10365 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2017 Buick Encore.
Can't find a used 2017 Buick Encores you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Buick Encore for sale.
Find a used Buick for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Buick Encore for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Buick for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2017 Buick Encore?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Buick lease specials
Check out Buick Encore lease specials
Related Used 2017 Buick Encore info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Volvo S90 2021 Review
- Volvo V60 Cross Country 2020 Review
- Volvo V60 Cross Country 2021 Review
- Volvo V60 2020 Review
- Volvo V60 2021 Review
Shop similar models
- GMC Terrain 2023
- Buick Encore-gx 2023
- Mitsubishi Outlander-sport 2023
- Mitsubishi Eclipse-cross 2023
- Chevrolet Trailblazer 2023
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Pontiac Solstice 2006
- Used Maserati Quattroporte 2014
- Used Dodge Durango 2007
- Used Toyota Avalon 2010
- Used Toyota MR2 Spyder 2003
- Used BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2016
- Used Buick Regal Sportback 2016
- Used Mitsubishi i-MiEV 2012
- Used Ford Thunderbird 1992 For Sale
- Used INFINITI QX50 2008
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 BMW 5 Series
- 2022 Maserati M8
- Porsche Taycan 2023
- 2022 8 Series
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 2022
- 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- 2022 GMC Canyon
- 2023 Nissan Titan
- 2022 Aston Martin DB11 News
- 2023 Dodge Hornet
Research recent models from same make
Research similar vehicles
- Audi Q3
- Renegade
- Jeep Cherokee
- Jeep Wrangler 4Xe
- Audi E Tron
- Rangerover
- Merc Gla 300
- Cadillac XT5
- Id4 VW
- Volvo XC60