Used 2016 Buick Encore for sale 

There are five trim levels available on this baby Buick. They include Base, Convenience, Sport Touring, Leather, and Premium. All the trims come standard with a front-wheel-drive configuration but an all-wheel-drive setup is also available. While the base trim is priced at $24,105, the top-tier 2016 Buick Encore Premium trim with an AWD setup has an MSRP of $31,285. Some exclusive trim-wise features include:

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To be honest, the Base trim comes with pretty much all the necessary features. It hosts a mix of infotainment and interior features. The Leather trim is for those who wish for a garnish of mild luxury feel. It adds leather upholstery with heated front seats and a steering wheel. The base trim has the best value for money. However, if you want some dazzle in your daily rides, the higher-powered 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring, could be your choice of vehicle.

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The 2016 Buick Encore is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s shared with the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Sonic. This engine is capable of churning out 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The power rises to 153 horsepower in the new Sport Touring model. Power is sent to the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.  

You might think that the engine doesn’t belong to an SUV but with front-wheel-drive, the 2016 Buick Encore tips the scales at under 3,200 pounds, which is hundreds of pounds less than the German competition. The Encore is never particularly quick, but passing power is adequate thanks in part to the six-speed automatic transmission that serves up fast if sometimes jarring down ships. 

The 2016 Buick Encore's engine capacity is similar to its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Trax. However, it is the 2016 Mazda CX-3 that manages the best power and torque outputs at 146hp and 146lb.-ft, respectively. The Honda HR-V is in a similar ballpark in terms of power but is distinctive from its competitors and makes use of a CVT unit. While all SUVs use an inline-4 unit, the Buick's is the only turbocharged setup. 

2016 Buick Encore Acceleration

The 2016 Buick Encore is neither the quickest nor the fastest subcompact SUV in the segment, yet it manages to place second in the segment and above the majority of its competitors. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 17.1 seconds with a top speed of 115 MPH. With the latest Sport Touring trim, performance potential improves by one-tenth of a second, while top speed rises to 121 MPH. 

When compared to the competitors, the Mazda CX-3 is the quickest in the segment clocking 8.6 and 16.6 seconds in the 60mph and quarter-mile run. While the Chevrolet Trax shares a similar setup with the 2016 Buick Encore, it is slower and clocks 10 seconds when moving from 0 to 60 mph. It manages similar timings as the 2016 Honda HR-V in the quarter-mile run, with both managing 17.3 seconds.

2016 Buick Encore Ride and Handling

The ride quality continues to be soft like the Buick norm. The suspension is refined and adaptable and even rough patches and road surfaces are seldom felt inside the cabin. There is no noise that seeps into the cabin and the tranquility is noteworthy and adds abundantly to the riding pleasure. The standard 6-speed automatic transmission works well in tandem with the turbocharged engine and the ride quality remains top-notch with both the FWD and AWD variants. The newer engine option, available with the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring, has a more jaunty character to it. Courtesy of its smaller dimensions, the subcompact SUV is easy to drive in the city and even in tight spots. Its maneuverability is where its uniqueness lies and the 2016 Encore is the perfect companion for everyday drives. 

2016 Buick Encore Braking Performance

The 2016 Buick Encore features the largest brake upfront in the segment measuring 11.8 inches, however, its rear brake size is not known. It is the heaviest vehicle in the segment weighing 3,237 lbs and manages to come to a halt from the 60mph mark to a standstill in 123ft. 

The similarities that the 2016 Chevrolet Trax bears with the Buick Encore also extend to its brake sizes, however, its braking capabilities are not known. The lightest SUV, the Mazda CX-3 features the smallest brakes, yet manages the best-in-class halting distance at 121ft. The 2016 Honda HR-V also comes to a halt in 123ft and has brakes that measure 11.5 and 11.1 inches at the front and back, respectively.

The 2016 Buick Encore is highly efficient when looked at in isolation. It earns up to 25 miles per gallon in the cities and 33 miles per gallon on the highways according to the EPA in front-wheel-drive form. Adding an all-wheel-drive system drops the fuel economy to 26 miles per gallon combined in its lightest form as compared to the FWD's 28 MPG. The latest inclusion into the lineup, the Sport Touring trim, is the most efficient bet in the segment and averages a combined mileage of 30 MPG. 

With a combined mileage of 31 mpg from a 12.7-gallon fuel tank, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in this segment. Just below it is the Honda HR-V with 31 mpg combined. Meanwhile, the Encore and the Trax share similar fuel estimates and stay together on the table. When it comes to combined range, all the vehicles are pretty close, with the 2016 Chevrolet Trax bagging the top spot with 420 miles. 

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If you are getting a premium car, you’re going to want better cabin materials than the non-luxury norman. The 2016 Buick Encore delivers nice premium touches like a headliner that goes all the way down to the A-pillar, consistent materials all around the upper dashboard, and the doors that even extend to the rear doors as far as soft-padded stuff for your arms and elbows. The fake wood trim in the Encore does a pretty good job of looking like the real thing. 

Despite the Encore’s small size, it has a tall SUV-like driving position, which enables a commanding view of the road. The back seat is pretty good packing as well. There are surprisingly good head and legroom on offer for six-footers. The 2016 Buick Encore Convenience trim adds dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror alongside other standard features. While higher trims offer leather upholstery, both options have a sophisticated feel and also fit in well with the luxurious aura. The cabin is extremely quiet and the provision of abundant storage space on the inside adds to the practicality. 

The 2016 Buick Encore and its cousin, the 2016 Chevrolet Trax share the same interior measurements and offer class-leading headroom in both rows. The legroom offered by the 2016 Honda HR-V is really good for six-footers and in terms of material quality and design, the Mazda CX-3 stands out from its rivals. Some of the main interior highlights of the Encore include:

• Ambient interior lighting
• Power driver’s seat
• Active noise cancellation
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• A sunroof

How intuitive is the 2016 Buick Encore’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system on the 2016 Buick Encore makes use of a standard 7-inch display screen that vaunts specifications like BlueTooth, WiFi Hotspot, satellite radio, and a CD player. Sadly, it misses out on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system has a lot of features but it’s very confusing to sort through a lot of menus. Though the interface might be slow at times, the buttons are neatly placed on the system. The basic 6-speaker sound system feels price-adequate and delivers impressively.

A 7-inch touchscreen display in the center houses the infotainment system in the 2016 Buick Encore. Sadly, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not part of the infotainment features. . Also, some critics have pointed out that the interface is slow at times. Nevertheless, all the buttons are neatly placed in the center console. The sound department is handled by six speakers.

Some of the other features include:

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Satellite radio
• USB port
• OnStar with 4G LTE hotspot
• An optional 7-speaker Bose sound system

2016 Buick Encore Cargo Capacity

The comprehensive nature of the 2016 Buick Encore is evident by its cargo capacity. Behind the rear seats, there are about 19 cubic feet of room that are available, and if folded, it extends to 50 cubic feet. Also, the front passenger seat does fold forward. Hence, it is easy to store tall items. 

In this aspect, the 2016 Honda HR-V is undoubtedly the segment leader with a trunk volume of 24.3 cubic feet. The Chevrolet Trax is similar to the 2016 Encore managing 18.7 cubic feet, while the Mazda CX-3 is the least practical subcompact SUV having a total cargo space of 10.1 cubic feet.

Visually, the 2016 Buick Encore is a nice car for the brand after the handsome Enclave. It has some distinct smarts and a little bit of personality. Let’s face it, in such a crowded category, standing out is important. The base models get halogen headlamps, while the buyers with the top-end trim enjoy the benefit of LED headlights. The fog lamps are found on the lower end of the bumper. From the side profile, you can notice the portholes that Buick is famous for. The rear design doesn’t attract more people. It’s just simple. 

In the segment, while it is difficult to distinguish amongst the competitors due to almost similar dimensions, the 2016 Buick Encore is one of the larger SUVs. It is the heaviest in the segment at 3,237 lbs and sports a best-in-class height of 65.3 inches. While all trims of the 2016 Encore have understated excellence to them, the Sport trim has a unique exterior design. Buyers could always opt for the optional packages to add characteristics like a sunroof and improved chrome alloy wheels. 

Due to its heavy curb weight, the Encore sips behind in terms of performance. The wheelbase offered in the Honda HR-V is the longest at 102.8 inches and hence better interior space. Its high ground clearance of 6.7 inches is also useful while riding over rough terrains. While the Chevrolet Trax is eerily similar to the  Buick, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is one of the lightest vehicles weighing 2,809 lbs and is smaller in certain aspects.

Some of the exterior features of the 2016 Buick Encore include:

• Rear lip spoiler
• Chromed grille
• Colored body-side cladding
• Chrome door handles
• Roof rails

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The 2016 Buick Encore's safety is one of its strongest suits, which is evident by it bagging the 'Top Safety Pick' award from IIHS and 5-star rating from NHTSA. Yet, it failed to impress in the front overlap crash test conducted by IIHS. However, it is a segment-wide issue. The 2016 Encore comes equipped with a large number of safety features, these include 10-airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and 4-wheel disc brakes and ABS. 

Some of its other standout safety specifications include:

• Rearview camera
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors

2016 Buick Encore vs 2016 Mazda CX-3

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 and Buick Encore are the closest yet the most distinct competitors in the segment. While they are eerily matched in the power and torque outputs, the Mazda is the quicker car amongst the lot and also vaunts better braking capabilities and fuel efficiency. Both subcompact SUVs manage a similar combined range and thus, the difference lies in their interior space and refinement. While the Buick has higher space on the inside and even in terms of cargo capacity, the 2016 CX-3 sports a luxuriant cabin with better materials. The 2016 Buick Encore does, however, command a higher price than the Mazda CX-3 giving it a slight advantage in the segment.

2016 Buick Encore vs 2016 Chevrolet Trax

The 2016 Chevrolet Trax and 2016 Buick Encore are doppelgangers in the truest sense. They are similar in every aspect and it is hard to distinguish between them objectively. Subjectively, the Buick offering is quicker off the line and has better acceleration capabilities. While the braking performance is not known, the Chevrolet is a notch above in efficiency and the range that it covers. There is essentially no difference in the interior space and exterior dimensions of the two SUVs and consequently, the decision depends largely on the design and reliability quotient, where the 2016 Encore tends to shine. 

2016 Buick Encore vs 2016 Honda HR-V

The 2016 Honda HR-V might be a few hundred dollars expensive than the 2016 Buick Encore, but it manages to deliver performance that justifies its price tag. While it might not be the quickest in the segment, the Honda HR-V has brilliant braking capabilities and is immensely fuel-frugal which allows it to gain ground over the competitors. The interior space, especially the legroom, is better, and being a typical Honda offering, it does not compromise on practicality as well. While it might not be as reliable as the Buick Encore, it performs decently in the aspect making it a hands-on option amongst the two. 

2021 Buick Encore or 2021 Mazda CX-3: What to buy?

Buick has packaged reasonable drivability with good passenger room, decent utility, and all good premium interior quality in the Encore. We’d make an argument that Encore makes a good high-end option for the more mainstream set. With so many choices, it’s tough to figure out which subcompact SUV is the right one, but with singular styling and excellent value, the 2016 Buick Encore might be an interesting choice.