2015 Buick Encore Reviewed: Checking in with the Wee Buick

Overview: We weren’t quite sure what to make of the Buick Encore when it arrived for 2013: It’s smaller than nearly every other crossover but taller than traditional hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf. With its available all-wheel drive and nimble handling, this baby Buick has a foot in both camps, and it managed to find a bit of white space in today’s hypercrowded car market—enough that its sales last year approached 50,000 units. That white space is quickly evaporating, though, as manufacturers rush into the subcompact-crossover segment. We’ve seen new entries from Jeep (Renegade), Honda (HR-V), and Mazda (CX-3), not to mention the Encore’s new sibling, the mechanically identical Chevy Trax. Even in a more crowded field, however, the Buick stands out for its quietness and smooth ride, although it’s hardly the most fun to drive among its peers. The Encore is offered in four trim levels, any of which can be had with all-wheel drive. We drove the top-spec 2015 Buick Encore AWD Premium for this review.

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What’s New: Buick has tacked on additional tech features in each of the two years since the crossover’s launch. Last year, it was a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert, which are standard on all but the base version. They’re unusual for this class, as is the available forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning—those, however, are exclusive to the top-spec model. The 2015 Buick Encore adds 4G LTE wireless hot-spot connectivity, which is standard across the board. It can connect up to seven (!) devices and works whenever the car is running. It requires paying for a data plan, but a three-month/three-gigabyte starter plan is free.

What We Like: Set aside aesthetics, and the Encore’s oddball proportions actually work in its favor. The vehicle is easy to thread through traffic and a cinch to park. Outward visibility for the driver is very good—although a fast-rising beltline and wide C-pillars mean those in back don’t enjoy much of a view. Despite the trim dimensions, the high roofline, chairlike seating position, and wide-opening doors mean the Encore is accommodating for four (five? not so much). There’s also a good-size cargo hold, expandable via the split, folding rear seat; the front passenger seatback also lays flat.

What We Don’t Like: Even with its turbocharger, the diminutive 1.4-liter engine musters only 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, which is barely adequate here. As a result, acceleration is leisurely, and the six-speed automatic transmission’s languid shifts add to the unhurried vibe. All of that might be an acceptable trade-off if the Encore got fantastic gas mileage, but it doesn’t. Despite the engine’s—and the Encore’s—small size, fuel economy (23/30 mpg city/highway with AWD, 25/33 mpg with FWD) is no better than that of one-size-up SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-5, and the Nissan Rogue.

Verdict: A wee and easy Buick.

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