The 2017 Buick Encore is a cute little crossover, but it’s just big enough to be called that. However, it is small and light enough that it will not deter bigger crowds. The Buick Encore has had consistent growth in sales since its debut in 2013. The 2015 peak was especially significant, with over 70,000 units sold, accounting for almost one-third of Buick’s total sales. Not bad at all, and it proudly refutes the cliche “bigger is better.”
Only four years after its debut, the Encore receives a mid-cycle upgrade. The 2017 Buick Encore receives minor design and technological updates, but only enough to keep it a best-seller.
Exterior design
Starting at the front, where the most noticeable change can be found, the grille. The distinctive winged Buick grille is new on the front, and it is complemented by the new tri-color Buick logo. The headlights are also new, with LEDs being standard on higher trims.
In addition, the taillights on all trims have been updated with LEDs. Then, down below, there are some new foglights, each with a different shape and lamp.
Side mirrors painted in the body color with heated glass are another new exterior feature. The wheels are now available in 18-inch rollers, and a new chrome exhaust outlet has been added. The three new exterior colors introduced to the lineup are Ebony Twilight Metallic, White Frost Metallic, and Black Cherry Metallic.
Overall, these external changes give the 2017 Buick Encore a more contemporary look.
Interior design
Buick is a brand that strives to provide the most visually appealing and comfortable interiors. The Encore, which is marketed as a luxury compact crossover, receives particular care from the manufacturer. Higher trims have leather interiors in a variety of contrasting color schemes.
The center stack of the Encore has been redesigned with a new, frameless color touch 8-inch infotainment screen and a revised instrument panel. That one includes a full-color gauge cluster with a 4.2-inch wide driver information screen.
The interior has a silver-accented wrap-around dashboard. The infotainment system has two USB connections as well as an Auxiliary jack input. The steering wheel is covered in leather on higher trims and has audio and phone controls.
Finally, all trims get Active Noise Cancellation in the cabin as standard, as well as a six-speaker audio system. BOSE’s electrical and sound engineers designed a high-quality seven-speaker audio system, which is standard on higher trims.
Engine specs
The 2017 Buick Encore‘s engine is next on the list. The standard engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing that generates 138 horsepower. On the Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, and Premium trims, the same engine is directly injected, producing 153 horsepower. These higher trims also include an automatic start/stop system, while all trims include a six-speed automatic transmission.
Overall, the engine specifications are quite good. The two engines provide choices, albeit the horsepower isn’t the best available. A comparable engine choice is available in the compact crossover Ford EcoSport.
Front-wheel drive is standard on all trims, with all-wheel drive available at a premium on all models except the base trim.
Tech specs
The 2017 Buick Encore comes with a plethora of standard technological features. A 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and audio streaming are all available in the infotainment category. The IntelliLink infotainment software includes speech recognition and a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM digital radio, weather, and data services. IntelliLink is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for optimal smartphone synchronization.
The Keyless Unlock and Start package is standard on all trims. This package includes a keyfob that senses proximity and unlocks the vehicle automatically. The car then starts with a push of the start-button while inside the vehicle and with a foot on the brake.
Now let’s talk about the Encore‘s safety features. All trims have Buick’s StabiliTrak stability control system, which helps the car stay on track in low-traction conditions. In addition, all trims include a rear vision camera. Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Alert, and Lane Departure Warning are standard on higher trim levels.
Finally, Front and Rear Ultrasonic Park Assist is available. When parallel parking, this feature utilizes beeps to signal the car’s proximity to neighboring cars or poles.
Price, release and sale date
The 2017 Buick Encore starts at $22,990 for the base FWD model. The next trim level up is the Preferred, which costs $24,365, and is followed by the Sport Touring, which costs $25,565. The Encore Preferred II starts at $26,865, while the Essence starts at $29,065. Finally, the top trim, Premium, starts at $30,465. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 premium.
The 2017 Buick Encore has been on sale since December 2016 and is performing quite well in the United States.
The 2017 Buick Encore is the North American counterpart to the European Opel or Vauxhall Mokka X, which has been on the market since early 2016.