Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Overall Rating
(1 reviews)Reliable small SUV
Kristina M Andrade-Falls • Feb 6, 2024
3.5Firstly I’m a single woman and this is a great little reliable car. Great performance & and I get really good miles to the gallon. Nice sleek interior, CarPlay can be unreliable. Overall safety is really good … other than in high winds!...Read More
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Essence 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl 138 hp 6A)
Essence 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Sport Touring 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Essence 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Sport Touring 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Essence 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Overall Rating
The 2018 Buick Encore is an attractive deal for anyone looking for a feature filled compact car.
Buick returns with their petite crossover SUV for the year 2018. The 2018 Buick Encore is an attractive deal for anyone looking for a feature-filled compact car. The Encore provides many features as standard which are not even available as optional features in most of its competitors, bringing it in the same league as some luxury crossovers like the Infinity QX30.
The 2018 Buick Encore is offered at a starting price at $22,990 which goes up to $32,015 for its top Premium trim. A standard 1.4liter I-4 and a 6-speed automatic transmission powers the Encore. FWD is standard, while AWD can be had with any trim except the base trim for $ 2,500. The top 4 trims have an optional direct-injection engine which raises the hp and torque.
The Encore comes equipped with a lot of standard equipment even at the base level. Still, the engine without the direct injection feels a little low on power. It is a good idea to opt for the Essence trim as it adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seating, and few extra safety items. Not to mention the more powerful engine for those quick takeovers.
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Sport Touring 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Preferred 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Sport Touring 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Kristina M Andrade-Falls
2018 Buick Encore
••3.5Posted On: February 6, 2024
Very reliable, Seats fold down to lug things
Shakes in wind, Smaller than I’d like
Firstly I’m a single woman and this is a great little reliable car. Great performance & and I get really good miles to the gallon. Nice sleek interior, CarPlay can be unreliable. Overall safety is really good … other than in high winds!
The 2018 Buick Encore is an attractive deal for anyone looking for a feature filled compact car.
Buick returns with their petite crossover SUV for the year 2018. The 2018 Buick Encore is an attractive deal for anyone looking for a feature-filled compact car. The Encore provides many features as standard which are not even available as optional features in most of its competitors, bringing it in the same league as some luxury crossovers like the Infinity QX30.
The 2018 Buick Encore is offered at a starting price at $22,990 which goes up to $32,015 for its top Premium trim. A standard 1.4liter I-4 and a 6-speed automatic transmission powers the Encore. FWD is standard, while AWD can be had with any trim except the base trim for $ 2,500. The top 4 trims have an optional direct-injection engine which raises the hp and torque.
The 2018 Buick Encore comes in 6 trim levels: 1SV, Preferred, Preferred II, Sport Touring, Essence, and Premium. All the trims are powered by a 1.4-liter inline-4 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission features manual-style shifting through a rocker switch on top of the lever on FWD models. The Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, and Premium models have the option of upgrading their engine with direct-injection technology which adds 15 horsepower and 29 lb.-ft. of torque.
| Trims | Encore 1SV | Preferred | Sport Touring | Preferred II | Essence | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP (FWD) | $22,990 | $24,365 | $25,565 | $26,865 | $29,065 | $30,465 |
| MSRP (AWD) | N/A | $25,865 | $27,065 | $28,365 | $30,565 | $32,015 |
| Features | 4G Wi-Fi hotspot | 1SV+ | Preferred + | Preferred+ | Preferred II + | Essence + |
| Enhanced 4.2″ multi-color Driver Information Center | Rear Cargo Cover | Exclusive Rear, integrated Sport Spoiler | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Heated driver and front passenger seats | Bose Premium 7-speaker sound system | |
| Keyless Open and Start | Front and rear color-keyed floor mats | Remote Vehicle Starter System | Side Blind Zone Alert | 6-way power-adjustable front passenger seat | Rainsense Wipers | |
| QuietTuning technology with Active Noise Cancellation | Fog lamps | Dual-zone automatic climate control | Heated Steering Wheel | Front and Rear Park Assist | ||
| Rear Vision Camera | Inside auto-dimming rearview mirror | Memory setting for driver seat | Forward Collision Alert | |||
| 6-way power-adjustable driver seat | Remote Vehicle Starter System | LED headlamps | Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Fog lamps | Cargo Net and Rear Carpeted Cargo Mat |
FWD is standard, although all trims except for the base 1SV trim can be upgraded to AWD for an additional $1,500. Encore’s engine runs on regular fuel, in contrast to the premium grade fuel required by some of Encore’s chief rivals. This is done to complement Encore’s economic persona.
We Recommend
The Encore comes equipped with a lot of standard equipment even at the base level. Still, the engine without the direct injection feels a little low on power. It is a good idea to opt for the Essence trim as it adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seating, and few extra safety items. Not to mention the more powerful engine for those quick takeovers.
The standard powertrain of the 2018 Buick Encore is a 1.4 liter inline 4 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The top 4 trims also have the option of increasing the output of the engine with direct-injection technology. The powertrain yields decent acceleration and a high fuel economy. The base motor lacks enough oomph to quickly pass slow-moving traffic ahead out in the highways but feels quite nimble in city traffic.
| Models | Buick Encore 1SV | Chevrolet Trax LS | Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $22,990 | $21,000 | $20,110 |
| Engine | 1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4 | 1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4 | 2.0-L SKYACTIV-G 4-CYL |
| Transmission | 6-speed Automatic | 6-speed Automatic | 6-speed Automatic |
| Power | 138 hp @ 6000 rpm | 138 hp @ 4900 rpm | 146 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 148 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm | 148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm | 146 lbs.-ft. @ 2800 rpm |
The base engine of the Encore is at par with Chevy Trax’s base engine in terms of power and torque. It is worth noting, though, that Encore is almost $9,000 cheaper than Trax. The Mazda CX-3 has the most powerful base engine amongst the three, and also the least price. The CX-3 generates more power, but a little less torque than the Encore.
The 2018 Buick Encore does well as a city commuter. Its engine provides just enough power for a decent ride, though not enough for speedy takeovers on the highway or gunning it at a stoplight. The 6-speed transmission is smooth and quiet while providing a leisurely acceleration. Being a city car, it is not meant to offer a dashing performance and it does so without any fuss.
| Models | Buick Encore 1SV | Chevrolet Trax LS | Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-60 MPH | 8.4 sec | 9.0 sec | 8.6 sec |
| Quarter mile | 16.2 sec @ 86 mph | 16.8 sec @ 80.9 mph | 16.3 sec @ 83.3 mph |
| Engine | 1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4 | 1.4-L turbocharged EcoTec I-4 | 2.0-L SKYACTIV-G 4-CYL |
| Emission Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year | 6.3 | 6.3 | 5.7 |
The smooth transmission allows the Encore to be faster than the Chevy Trax or the Mazda CX-3 in the 0-60 mph test by a significant margin, but the Mazda CX-3 almost catches up with the Encore on the quarter-mile mark. That’s because although the transmission is smooth, the engine lacks the power to stretch the Encore’s abilities at higher speeds, or when the car has a couple of people.
The 2018 Buick Encore is not a vehicle of sizable proportions, hence it has excellent maneuverability. The handling of the SUV is far from sporty but still provides enough feedback from the road to be agile around turns and on crowded roads.
The steering wheel feels vague and a bit too light at times. Although Buick has a tall and compact body, it had surprisingly restricted body roll and nice ride quality. Even on rough roads, the suspension does well to provide a smooth ride.
The 2018 Buick Encore has a satisfyingly firm brake pedal that is both reassuring and capable. No matter your speed, the Encore provides sharp body control thanks to its firm suspension as well as four-wheel disc brakes and their linear stopping power. Nose-dive is well contained owing to its firm suspension setup and the SUV retains its composure under hard braking scenarios.
| Model | Buick Encore 1SV | Chevrolet Trax LS | Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake pads-front (in) | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.0 |
| Brake pads Rear (in) | 10.6 | 11.0 | 11.1 |
| Curb weight (lbs.) | 3237 | 2805 | 2809 |
| 60-0 MPH (ft.) | 126 | 121 | 118 |
The Encore is heavier than most of its competitors, and although it provides a strong brake feel, it does not do significantly well in panic stops. The Honda Pilot, though only slightly lighter than the Encore, takes 15 feet less than Encore in the 60 – 0 panic stop test.
The Encore returns respectable numbers in the fuel-economy department. With a combined mileage of 30, the 2018 Buick Encore definitely has above average economy, but there are many rivals who surpass it. If you opt for the direct-injection engine, the city mileage drops by 2 mpg. Also, the AWD layout hinders the mpg figures but by a slight margin only.
| Model | Buick Encore 1SV | Chevrolet Trax LS | Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPG (city) | 27 | 25 | 29 |
| MPG (highway) | 33 | 33 | 34 |
| MPG (combined) | 30 | 29 | 31 |
The Chevy Trax matches Encore’s highway mileage but falls short in the city. The Mazda CX-3 easily emerges as the winner with 29/34 mpg in city/hwy. The Trax would cost you about $100 extra each year, while the Mazda would save you a lot of money compared to Encore.
Buick is known to offer classic yet modern interiors across its vehicle lineup and the Encore is not left behind. The 2018 Buick Encore has a 4-way power adjusting front seat standard across all trims, although recline settings are manual. The Essence and Premium trims get 2 person memory seats. A big letdown is the absence of a passenger’s armrest in the front.
It cuts the cost a little but makes long journeys for the passenger a little bit annoying. The SUV has enough space for 4 people including the driver and the rear passengers will get adequate headroom and legroom but only for two. A third occupant might find it hard to get a comfortable seating position for short trips let alone long trips.
| Model | Buick Encore 1SV | Chevrolet Trax LS | Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Volume(ft cube) | 92.8 | 93.0 | 86.3 |
| Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) | 39.5/54.1/40.8 | 39.6/54.1/40.8 | 37.6/53.5/41.7 |
| Rear(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) | 38.7/52.5/35.7 | 38.8/52.8/35.7 | 37.2/50.4/35 |
The outward visibility is great thanks to a high seating position. Even in the back row, there is plenty of room to accommodate two adults without any problem. There are two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors. The lower ones are hard to connect as they are deeply embedded in the seats. The Mazda CX-3 is the most compact on the list and falls short on all aspects of interior dimensions. The Chevrolet Trax has almost identical cabin dimensions as the Encore.
The 2018 Buick Encore still uses the ongoing version of Buick’s IntelliLink system. There is not much to complain about, though. The system is responsive and includes modern amenities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Encore has a highly connective infotainment system. Services like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto make for an entertaining trip.
The standard setup has satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a six-speaker audio system, a 4.2-inch driver information dashboard display, and an 8-inch touchscreen
The 2018 Buick Encore provides 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Space increases to 48.4 cubic feet once the second row is folded. This a lot for a subcompact SUV, but certain rivals do better. Moreover, the front passenger seat can also be folded, providing even more space when you need it.
| Model | Buick Encore 1SV | Chevrolet Trax LS | Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behind Second Row (ft.3) | 18.8 | 18.7 | 12.4 |
| Second Row Folded (ft.3) | 48.4 | 48.4 | 44.5 |
The Trax and Encore are pretty close in the cargo department, although the Trax has 0.1 cubic feet less space behind the second row. The Mazda is not as generous in the cargo department, with only 44.5 cubic feet of maximum storage space.
Interior Features
Here is a list of the standout features in the 2018 Buick Encore’s cabin:
Optional features include:
From grille to the hood, to the roofline, the 2018 Buick Encore puts a modern spin to its solid design. In the front, the waterfall grille is stretched with a chrome wing running through. The wings expand to the headlights, which are sleek and sculpted.
| Model | Buick Encore 1SV | Chevrolet Trax LS | Mazda CX-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curb Weight (lbs.) | 3237 | 2805 | 2809 |
| Length (in) | 168.4 | 167.2 | 168.3 |
| Width (in) | 69.85 | 69.9 | 69.6 |
| Height (in) | 65.26 | 64.9 | 60.7 |
| Ground clearance (in) | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.1 |
| Wheelbase (in) | 100.6 | 100.6 | 101.2 |
| Track width (in) F/R | 60.6/60.6 | 60.6/60.6 | 60/59.9 |
You won’t truly realize how compact the 2018 Buick Encore is until you look at its side profile. With a length of just 168 inches, the Encore is one of the most compact crossovers in the market. In the rear, the first delight is the colored Buick badge. The taillights also receive a better design, rather than resembling a jellybean-like the Encores of the past. There is a single chrome exhaust. Surprisingly, the rear wiper, rear spoiler, and roof rails are standard on all trims.
Exterior Features
Some of the exterior features include:
The 2018 Buick Encore does quite well in the safety tests. It gets 5 out of 5 stars overall, frontal, and in side crash in NHTSA crash tests.
The Encore does not provide many safety features. The only standard feature is a rearview camera. The available safety features include:
The Encore is basically an upscale version of the Chevy Trax. Being GM’s prodigies, they both share a lot of basic features. Both the SUVs are similar in engine power and economy, but Encore takes the lead in interior quality, smoother ride, and a quieter cabin.
The Trax shares the base engine with Encore but has no option of upgrading it with direct-injection technology. So, The Encore is clearly a better choice. Although Trax has a lower base price, so opt for it if you wanna save a few bucks.
Overall, the Mazda CX-3 delivers more all-around performance. It has a more potent engine, more luxurious interiors, and sportier handling. Mazda also gets a better economy than Encore. Encore advantages lie in the rear seat, which is much more spacious than Mazda’s. Also, Encore has more standard and available features.
But going by the cost-to-feature ratio, the Mazda is a clear winner. It costs a few thousand dollars less than Encore and doesn’t compromise with comfort or performance.
The 2018 Buick Encore makes sure its buyer never regrets a single dollar spent on this tiny SUV. Despite a small size, it has a fairly spacious interior which is comfortable and luxurious. It is easy to handle and provides a smooth ride. The engine does feel a bit powerless at times, compared to some other compact SUVs. Another weak area for Encore is safety. Although many other features make their way in as standard, safety features were mostly ignored. The Mazda CX-3 is one of Encore’s biggest rivals. It is cheap, powerful, and more luxurious. Even then, there are plenty of reasons to love the Encore for anyone looking for an economic and comfortable ride.
