2018 Buick Encore review
Buick Encore highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Easy to drive and park
- Relatively quiet on the highway
- Upscale style, inside and out
Cons
- Underpowered engines
- Disappointing fuel economy estimates
- Cramped cargo area
Mileage (EPA estimate)
24 city, 30 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Once a segment leader, the 2018 Buick Encore remains a popular small SUV
The 2018 Buick Encore is a small SUV that seats five people and offers between 18.8 cubic feet and 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space. An unusual feature that helps the Encore maximize its utility is a front passenger seat that folds flat to accommodate items up to 8 feet long. Available trims in the lineup are 1SV, Preferred, Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, and Premium. Every Encore has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Depending on the trim, the engine makes 138 horsepower or 153 hp, and EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings range from 27 mpg to 30 mpg in combined driving. 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. All-wheel drive is an option. Buick made few changes to the 2018 Encore. Models with dual-zone automatic climate control have an air ionizer, HD radio is standard, and capless fuel filling debuts. Tech highlights include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with access to OnStar® connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and more. Wi-Fi hotspots require a data plan to activate and may also require a compatible device. See the owner's manual or manufacturer website for more information. Ten airbags are standard, with a short list of driver-assistance systems available as upgrades.
All Buick Encore years
What is new for the 2018 Buick Encore?
- The Encore is available in a new trim called the 1SV.
- The Base trim has been discontinued for 2018.
- Encore trims have been upgraded with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment this year.
- The Essence trim now comes with Smart Key as standard equipment.
- The Premium trim now comes with Smart Key as standard equipment.
- The Sport Touring trim now comes with Smart Key and CD Audio as standard equipment.
- The Preferred II trim now comes with Smart Key as standard equipment.
- The Preferred trim now comes with CD Audio as standard equipment.
2018 Buick Encore trims
1SV:
- 1.4L
- Rear Defroster
- Cruise Control
- Power Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- View our Buick Encore 1SV inventory
Preferred:
- Includes all features available on the 1SV
- 138-hp, 148-lb-ft of torque 1.4L
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Remote Start
- 4WD/AWD
- View our Buick Encore Preferred inventory
Preferred II:
- Includes all features available on the Preferred
- No significant upgrades found on the Preferred II
- View our Buick Encore Preferred II inventory
Sport Touring:
- Includes all features available on the Preferred II
- Rear Spoiler
- View our Buick Encore Sport Touring inventory
Essence:
- Includes all features available on the Sport Touring
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Heated Steering Wheel
- View our Buick Encore Essence inventory
Premium:
- Includes all features available on the Essence
- Parking Sensors
- Lane Departure Warning
- BOSE Sound System
- View our Buick Encore Premium inventory
Buick Encore photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Buick Encore
What We Like
Nimble in traffic: Thanks to its small size, tall seating position, good outward visibility, and turbocharged torque, the Encore squirts through and around traffic with relative ease. Outright acceleration is not impressive, but slicing and dicing through commuter congestion and making quick work of parking are two of the Encore’s talents.
Comfortable front seats: Though the Encore is one of the smallest SUVs you can buy, the front seating area is remarkably roomy. You sit high behind the steering wheel with a good view out, and entering and exiting the SUV is relatively painless. In addition, the Encore benefits from Buick QuietTuning™, which makes it unexpectedly quiet inside when you’re driving on the highway.
Generous infotainment features: Equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the Encore includes several appealing features. Highlights include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, satellite radio, and access to OnStar connected services including a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
What Needs Improvement
Engine power and efficiency: Small engines promise impressive fuel economy, but because they often work harder out in the real world, they can disappoint the people who own them. That’s true of the Encore, which offers slow acceleration combined with underwhelming efficiency. In light of this, we recommend getting one with a more powerful engine. It is standard with all Encores except for the base 1SV and the Preferred trim levels.
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
4.2 out of 5
16 customer reviews| 5 Stars | 10 |
|---|---|
| 4 Stars | 3 |
| 3 Stars | 1 |
| 2 Stars | 0 |
| 1 Star | 2 |
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.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Buick EncoreBuick 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
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Full Roof Rack
- Navigation System
- Remote Start
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.4L
Horsepower
138
Torque (ft-lbs)
148
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
14
Wheelbase
100.6"
Overall length
168.41"
Width
69.85"
Height
65.26"
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
2018 Buick Encore FAQ
The 2018 Buick Encore is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Preferred : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Premium : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Essence : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Preferred II : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Sport Touring : 25 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
The Buick Encore received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Buick Encore as 6 out of 8 among Subcompact SUV
The 2018 Buick Encore has received an average 4.2 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Buick Encore, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Buick Encore Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Buick Encore:
- 1SV
- Cruise Control
- Traction Control
- Power Seat(s)
- Air Conditioning
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
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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