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2022 Buick Encore review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Buick Encore highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Tiny size makes Encore a good urban runabout
  • At highway speeds, the interior is remarkably quiet
  • Fully featured infotainment system

Cons

  • Offers little in the way of cargo space
  • Unimpressive fuel economy estimates
  • Limited number of driver-assist features, and they’re optional

Mileage (EPA estimate)

23 city, 30 highway, 26 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
Year

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The 2022 Buick Encore takes a final bow

The 2022 model year is the last one for the trendsetting Buick Encore, fully replaced by the Encore GX starting with the 2023 model year.

Only the Preferred trim level is available, but the Encore has more power from its turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It delivers 155 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the SUV’s final year on the market, and without reducing fuel economy, which remains at an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined score for front-wheel-drive models.Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.

Able to seat five people and carry between 18.8 and 48.4 cubic feet of cargo, the Encore offers uncanny utility despite its diminutive size thanks to the front passenger seat that folds flat. The Encore offers an impressive array of infotainment features, but the list of driver-assist features is a short one.

While the 2022 Encore’s added power is welcome, this SUV is smaller inside and equipped with less driver-assist equipment than most rivals. In addition, its design and engineering date back nearly a decade. Most other small SUVs would be a better choice.

All Buick Encore years

What is new for the 2022 Buick Encore?

  • The Base trim has been discontinued for 2022.

2022 Buick Encore trims

Curious how Buick Encore trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Preferred:

Buick Encore photos

5 reasons to buy the 2022 Buick Encore

What We Like

Comfortable front seats: You might expect a subcompact crossover SUV to feel cramped inside, but the Buick Encore avoids this sensation with comfortable seats and impressive outward visibility. In addition, the Encore’s tall height and seat positions make it easy to get in and out of the SUV.

Added power for 2022: Though the Encore has always offered a turbocharged engine, the standard one has lacked power — even for a small SUV. This year, Buick gives the 2022 Encore 17 more horsepower and 29 lb-ft of added torque. It still won’t win freeway on-ramp drag races, but at least there is a better reason for the Encore’s unimpressive real-world fuel economy.

Easy to park: The Encore is easy to drive, and that’s especially true in urban environments. Whether you’re battling commuter traffic, threading through tight parking lots and garages, or attempting to parallel park, the Encore’s tiny size simplifies your life. As an added bonus, this small Buick is remarkably quiet at highway speeds.

What Needs Improvement

Driver aids should be standard: Buick offers a handful of driver-assist features for the 2022 Encore, and they’re optional instead of standard equipment. A driver aid package adds blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, while a higher level driver aid package installs forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, and front and rear parking sensors. For a vehicle on sale in 2022, this list is missing important driver-assist systems. Considering the Encore’s price, they should be standard.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.7 out of 5

3 customer reviews
4
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Buick Encore an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Buick Encore 7th out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs.

RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Buick Encore is $531, compared to an average of $442 for Subcompact SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

According to RepairPal, Buick Encore owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.8 times per year, compared to an average of 0.7 times for Subcompact SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 14% for the Buick Encore, compared to an average of 12% for Subcompact SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

Buick Encore features and specs

Preferred 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cruise Control
  • Leatherette & Cloth
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine
  • Alloy Wheels
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leatherette & Cloth
  • Parking Sensors
  • Remote Start
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Tow Hitch
  • Turbo Charged Engine

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.4L

Horsepower

155

Torque (ft-lbs)

177

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

14

Wheelbase

100.6"

Overall length

168.35"

Width

70.1"

Height

65.25"

Leg room

F 40.82"/R 35.75"

Head room

F 39.58"/R 38.78"

Front tires

P215/55R18

Rear tires

P215/55R18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2022 Buick Encore FAQ


* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

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