2022 Buick Encore Road Test and Review

2017 Buick Encore ・ Photo by Buick

The Buick Encore is the SUV that led the luxury-brand charge into the subcompact crossover segment. Against many experts’ expectations, it became one of Buick’s best-selling vehicles and eventually spawned a slightly larger step-sibling, the Buick Encore GX, to the confusion of some buyers. One way to view the two Encores is this: The Encore is very similar mechanically to the Chevrolet Trax, while the Encore GX has very strong similarities to the larger Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Encore is a member of a premium brand, but with the exception of the MINI Countryman, there are virtually no premium or luxury brand vehicles that share its diminutive length. Even the BMW X1 is seven inches longer. At just over 168 inches, the Encore is three inches shorter than the Buick Encore GX and about the same length as the mainstream-brand Ford EcoSport. While the Encore doesn’t offer the luxury of its larger Buick-branded siblings, it still manages to differentiate itself from the Chevy Trax and other non-premium brand offerings. Here is our 2022 Buick Encore Road Test & Review.

Powertrain

The Buick Encore chassis is tried-and-true, serving as the underpinnings for vehicles sold in several markets around the world. The headline change for the 2022 model year is the substitution of a new, more powerful drivetrain. Instead of an anemic 138-horsepower engine, the 2022 Encore features a dual-overhead-cam direct-injection turbocharged engine that generates 155 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of peak torque. In comparison to the previous engine, horsepower is up 12%, and torque is up 20%. The engine delivers its torque through a now-rare six-speed automatic transmission. The 155-horsepower number might not seems like much but in the small Encore chassis it makes a serious difference in drivability. For one thing the engine doesn’t always seem to be straining. The base Encore uses front drive, and for those in northern or mountain climates, all-wheel-drive is available.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Driving Impressions

Partly because it is, after all, a Buick, the Encore is a bit heavier than many similarly sized vehicles. That’s the result of a more elaborate interior and additional sound-deadening materials. While it is marketed as an SUV, the Encore uses unibody construction like virtually all contemporary cars. That endows it with car-like ride and handling. From behind the wheel, you often feel like you’re piloting a subcompact car. At the same time, the Encore gives its driver a somewhat elevated driving position. It is also easy to get in and out of, another crossover SUV attribute. Many SUVs make at least vague promises of off-road driving adventures, but the Encore seems solidly rooted in urban or suburban settings. Its all-wheel-drive is meant to combat snow and ice on paved roads, not to rock-crawl in the wilderness. While some small crossovers are buzzy and vibration-filled, the Buick Encore goes out of its way to provide a quiet, serene experience.

Photo by Buick

Interior Design

Buick designers had a difficult challenge with the Encore because they had to bring the brand’s conservative elegance to a very small vehicle. But we think they accomplished their goal. Though the interior isn’t large, it is certainly comfortable and much quieter than the typical vehicle of its size. Buick QuietTuning uses triple door seals and acoustic laminated glass in the windshield to help reduce and absorb unwanted noise. The Encore’s infotainment screen is placed high in the middle of the dashboard, and immediately below it are well-marked controls, including a center-mounted knob for audio volume. The climate-control system is set lower in the center stack, making it a bit less convenient. But again, the knobs and controls are well-labeled and intuitive. The instrument cluster is topped with a curved hood that artfully swoops across the infotainment screen. The console houses a traditional shift lever, some cupholders, and a small bin. One interesting new feature for 2022 is the addition of an electric heater and defroster. The driver’s seat is six-way power-adjustable, and the passenger seat offers two-way manual adjustment. There is a storage drawer under the passenger seat as well. While the Encore is equipped to carry five passengers, four will be much more comfortable.

Photo by General Motors

Infotainment &Technology

The Buick Encore employs the simple, intuitive Buick Infotainment system, controlled by a 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen. Well-marked buttons and a single knob under the screen make controlling the system easy even for first-time users; we wish some European luxury brands offered infotainment systems that are as easy to use. The system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not supported. On the plus side, complimentary Buick Connected Access enables drivers to receive monthly diagnostics reports and get real-time notifications when potential issues are detected. Also included are Buick Smart Driver that provides tips to help improve your driving and Buick Marketplace that provides connections to stores, hotels, restaurants, and gas stations from the dash of the vehicle. A 4.2-inch color driver information screen puts its readout in the driver’s field of vision. The Encore’s audio system has six speakers.

Photo by General Motors

Exterior Style

“Cute” is probably an apt way to describe the Encore’s exterior. There is no way a vehicle as small as the Encore will look as substantial as larger crossovers in the Buick lineup. But at the same time, the Encore “looks like a Buick” with the signature Buick grille, rear badging, and premium 18-inch alloy wheels. Though the lower front valance has a treatment that looks like a skid plate and roof rails are standard, the Encore’s exterior doesn’t portray any off-road aspirations. Instead, with its convenient rear hatch, cargo management system, and split-folding rear seatbacks, the Encore is a pint-sized urban hauling machine. The Encore’s ground clearance is over six inches, but it is likely most of its drivers have no off-road aspirations at all.

Photo by Buick

Cargo & Towing

The Encore offers a variety of passenger and cargo configurations. But its small size limits it overall cargo-carrying ability. And it isn’t suited for towing. However, when viewing the Encore as an alternative to a small coupe or sedan, it shines in cargo-carrying capacity. With the rear seat backs folded it offers 48.4 cubic feet of cargo room. In comparison, the Buick Encore GX has 50.2 cubic feet of cargo area. The Ford EcoSport offers 50 cubic feet of storage, while the Kia Seltos offers 62.8 cubic feet. With the rear bench in use, the Encore has 18.8 cubic feet of storage space. That’s compared to 23.5 cubic feet in the Encore GX, 20.9 cubic feet in the EcoSport, and 26.6 cubic feet in the Seltos. It should be noted that while the 2022 Buick Encore doesn’t have quite as much cargo space as many of its competitors, it will still transport a lot of stuff.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Safety & Driver Aids

Compared to other vehicles in its narrow segment, the Buick Encore can be equipped with more advanced safety and driver assistance features. Electronic stability control with traction control, rear vision camera system, and 10 airbags are standard. On the active safety front, two optional packages are available. The Safety Package includes blind spot alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The additional-cost Safety Package II includes rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning. If you want the comprehensive electronic safety and driver aids, you can get many of them, but they require adding optional packages. Niceties like adaptive cruise control are not available.

Photo by Buick

Fuel economy

The Buick Encore gets an EPA-certified 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway in its base front-drive form. In the all-wheel-drive configuration, the ratings are very similar — 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. In comparison, the 2022 Buick Encore GX with its lower-horsepower engine gets 29 mpg city/32 mpg highway with front-wheel-drive. In AWD form, it is rated at 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The 2022 Kia Seltos with a larger footprint and more cargo space is rated at 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway. So the Buick Encore isn’t quite as frugal as some other vehicles in the segment. On the other hand, it delivers more luxury and quiet.

Photo by General Motors

Trim Levels

For the 2022 model year, the Buick Encore is available in a single trim level — Preferred. Since this was previously an up-level version of the Encore, it has a generous mix of standard features, including cruise control, electric heater/defroster, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power door locks, remote keyless entry, and Wi-Fi hotspot. The rear cargo area has covered storage, and the infotainment system offers a seven-inch touchscreen interface. The Encore is offered with the choice of front-wheel drive or, at an added-cost, all-wheel drive in the single trim level.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Pricing & Value

With just one trim level, the Buick Encore’s pricing is simple and straightforward. As you might expect, the front-drive Preferred trim is the price-leader, with an MSRP of $25,795 plus a destination charge. The all-wheel-drive version of the Preferred trim starts at $26,415 plus the destination fee. Premium exterior paint can add $595 to the final price with the exception of a white “tricoat” finish, which costs an additional $1,095. The Safety Package costs $495, and the Safety Package II has a retail price of $695. A power moonroof is a $900 option. The Buick Encore isn’t the roomiest vehicle in the segment, and it doesn't offer the newest platform. But with its additional horsepower, it is a better vehicle in 2022 than it has ever been.

Photo by Buick