Entry Price: $24,065
Price as Tested: $30,665
This week, we’re driving Buick’s popular compact SUV, namely the 2016 Encore dressed in new Sport Touring trim. This new Sport Touring model features Buick’ more powerful 1.4-liter Turbocharged four cylinder that puts out 153 horsepower mated to a HydraMatic six speed automatic.
Last year, Encore relied solely on the Chevy Spark derived 1.4 that now generates 138 horses with a turbo and is still, unfortunately, the standard engine that powers the other four members of the 2016 Encore family. On the plus side, Buick will offer the more powerful 1.4 Turbo on all new 2017 models with exception of the entry level Encore.
Specifically, 2016 Encores include entry Base ($24,065), Convenience ($26,355), Sport Touring ($26,256), Leather ($28,300) and Premium ($29,795). (If you want AWD, add $1,500 to these FWD prices). Although not a vehicle designed for heavy towing duties or the transfer of up to eight passengers like big brother Enclave, this little Buick is fun to drive, handles quite well and is easy to park in city situations.
Now, a note on Buick’s legacy.
Auto enthusiasts may not realize that Buick was the very first General Motors brand way back in 1903. Through the years, Buick has been one of the few American brands that has consistently received high reliability and customer appreciation honors, most recently back-to-back awards from Kelly Blue Book for “Five year cost to own” results. Further, four of its five vehicles receive “recommended” checkmarks from Consumer Reports magazine, not counting its two new models, Cascada and Envision, which are awaiting tests.
It’s no surprise then that Buick survived GM’s streamlining, where first Oldsmobile and then Pontiac were eliminated from the company lineup. The reason Buick survived is both legacy as a GM “first” and, way more importantly, its popularity in China. Specifically, if you drive other than a Buick in China you’re probably in the minority. Further, this China popularity led GM to construct the Encore at its modern assembly plant in Bupyeong Gu, South Korea, to better serve the China and cut down on transportation costs as Korea is way closer to China than Detroit. And, with the quality of workers building cars in Korea, what used to be a negative three decades ago is now a positive thanks to the dedicated Korean workforce.
Back to the Encore.
Inside, the Encore cabin is well appointed. The higher front seating position gives a good view of the road and even the base Buick Encore comes with a rearview camera, blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone climate, auto-dimming rearview mirror and a useful 120-volt power outlet or all those laptops out there.
You’ll also receive at no extra cost Bluetooth, 4G WiFi hotspot, input jack, a six-speaker Bose sound system and a USB port interface. Also included is Buick’s IntelliLink with seven-inch screen and an interior Quiet Tuning and Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology that makes the cabin extra quiet. Our Encore featured power front seats and upscale seating surfaces with leather accents and for $495 more, and a recommended Bose audio system upgrade with Navigation, the latter very easy to use.
Also new for 2016 are 18-inch aluminum wheels, a winged rear spoiler and a bevy of new colors to choose from. However, wheels and color features aside, it’s the 11 percent more power and near 20 percent more torque (177 lb. ft.) from the turbocharged four that’s the biggest upside as the less powerful four (just 148 lb. ft. of torque) is a bit of a tortoise and has always been in need of some extra ponies.
Surprisingly, our Encore’s automatic AWD system would come into play, as the northeast got hit with an early April snowstorms that dropped about four inches around our homestead area twice. The little Buick motored forward with ease as some of the outlying roads had yet to be plowed in our early morning driving. Add GM’s Stabilitrak traction controls, four wheel ABS disc brakes and electronic brakeforce along with solid Five Star government safety ratings, and our Encore was as secure as one can get in inclement weather.
There are some Encore drawbacks if consumers are looking for an interior that’s spacious as the back seat is tight and cargo room is at a minimum. If this is the case, you can move up to the Buick Envision. The front strut rear torsion suspension delivers comfort over handling, while country road maneuvering is very good. Fuel mileage is decent as the FWD Encore 138 horse 1.4 delivers 25 city and 33 highway while our more powerful Sport Touring 1.4 Turbo with AWD underpinnings and start/stop technology came in at a surprisingly good 26 city and 32 highway.
Important numbers include a wheelbase of 100.6 inches, 3397 lb. curb weight, 18.8 to 48.4 cu. ft of cargo room, 14 gallon fuel tank, and a 36.7 ft. turning circle.
In summary, Buick Encore is a fine little SUV that won’t break the bank in the lower priced trims. Although some of the competition offers better fuel mileage and more interior room, Encore delivers everything well and carries the legendary Buick badge with pride.
Likes: Looks, more powerful engine, Buick heritage, fun to drive.
Dislikes: Rear seat tight, less cargo room than some competitors.
(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist)
