“I truly love my Buick Encore. I was unsure of the size when I first got it, as I was hoping it was a little bigger, but it turned out to be the perfect size. It is low maintenance and very reliable. Perfect for a single woman with no kids.”
2016 Buick Encore: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2016 Buick Encore is the addition of the Sport Touring trim, which brings a sport-themed look and extra convenience equipment. Otherwise, the Encore largely carries over from 2015.
About the 2016 Buick Encore
1st generation (2013-2022 North America), pre-refresh final year before the 2017 exterior and interior update.
Buick sold the Encore as a premium small SUV for drivers who wanted something easy to park and easy to live with, but quieter and more polished than many mainstream subcompact crossovers. The brochure stresses stylish but functional design, seamless digital connectivity, and flexible cargo space, while reviewers pointed to its hushed ride and comfort-first character. In 2016, its core appeal was simple: a small crossover with an upscale feel and everyday city usefulness.
The 2016 Encore is a small, city-friendly crossover with a quiet cabin, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 7-inch touchscreen. Sport Touring adds a more distinctive exterior, while Leather focuses on heated leather seating and a heated steering wheel. Premium is the most fully equipped version, with Bose audio, parking sensors, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning.
What changed, by category
Styling
The new Sport Touring trim adds sport-themed exterior details and a rear spoiler, giving the Encore a more distinctive appearance.
Safety
The new Sport Touring trim includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, safety features already found on other Encore trims.
Tech
Sport Touring also includes remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
2016 Buick Encore specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd OD ShftCtrl | Auto, 6-Spd OD ShftCtrl | Auto, 6-Spd OD ShftCtrl | Auto, 6-Spd OD ShftCtrl | Auto, 6-Spd OD ShftCtrl |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Horsepower | 138 hp | 138 hp | 138 hp | 138 hp | 153 hp |
| Torque | 148 lb-ft | 148 lb-ft | 148 lb-ft | 148 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.7 in | 35.7 in | 35.7 in | 35.7 in | 35.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2016 Buick Encore compared with the 2015 model?
The main change is the new Sport Touring trim. It combines sport-themed exterior details with convenience and safety equipment, while the rest of the Encore lineup is largely unchanged from 2015.
Was the 2016 Buick Encore redesigned?
No, the 2016 Buick Encore was not redesigned. It was the final model year before the exterior and interior refresh that arrived for 2017.
Does the 2016 Encore Sport Touring have a performance upgrade?
No, Sport Touring is mainly a styling and equipment trim rather than a performance model. Its distinguishing features include sport-themed exterior details, a rear spoiler, remote start, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Is the 2016 Buick Encore meaningfully different from the 2015 Encore?
Only if the Sport Touring trim matters to you. The 2016 model otherwise carries over the same basic design, small footprint, quiet-cabin focus, 7-inch touchscreen setup, and AWD option.
Which 2016 Buick Encore trim has the most safety equipment?
The Premium trim has the strongest factory safety package in the 2016 lineup. Its notable features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors.
2016 Buick Encore Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 Buick Encore.
4.2
2016 Buick Encore
(916 reviews)
“Convenient for carrying articles that will not fit in the trunk of a regular vehicle. Very maneuverable. Easy to get in and out of. Manual climate control is a pain after having automatic systems. Acceleration is not great.”
“Back seat should be able to be put down with front seat being able to be all the way back. To put seats down in the back, front seats need to be moved forward.”