“My car is very reliable and worth the price. It has a comfort and feels very close to luxury. I just wish that it had the safety features that many other vehicles like this has.”
2018 Buick Encore: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The main change for the 2018 Buick Encore is capless fuel fill across the lineup. Otherwise, this is a light update with no redesign or major mechanical changes, though the Premium trim gains a few equipment upgrades.
About the 2018 Buick Encore
1st generation (2013-2022), second model year after the 2017 refresh.
Buick positions the Encore as a small SUV with a more upscale feel than mainstream subcompact crossovers. The big themes in Buick's own materials are easy city driving, a quiet cabin, flexible cargo space, and simple in-car tech. That makes the Encore's core appeal straightforward: it is for shoppers who want a higher seating position and easy maneuverability without giving up a polished interior feel, keyless convenience, and an easy-to-use touchscreen.
The 2018 Encore is a small, quiet, easy-to-park Buick with six trims focused on comfort, convenience, and straightforward technology. Every trim has an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Sport Touring adds sharper-looking wheels and a rear spoiler, while Essence brings leather, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and LED headlights. Premium combines those comfort features with Bose audio, forward-collision and lane-departure alerts, and its new cabin air ionizer.
What changed, by category
Tech
Capless fuel fill is added to every trim. Premium also gains an ionizing cabin air cleaner and HD Radio with its standard Bose audio system.
2018 Buick Encore specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter / 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter / 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter / 4-Cyl, ECOTEC, 1.4T | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter / 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 | Auto, 6-Spd OD ShftCtrl |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 27 mpg | 25–27 mpg | 25–27 mpg | 27 mpg | 25–27 mpg | 25–27 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Horsepower | 138 hp | 138–153 hp | 138–153 hp | 138 hp | 138–153 hp | 138–153 hp |
| Torque | 148 lb-ft | 148–177 lb-ft | 148–177 lb-ft | 148 lb-ft | 148–177 lb-ft | 148–177 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.8 in | 35.8 in | 35.8 in | 35.8 in | 35.8 in | 35.8 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 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 | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2018 Buick Encore compared with the 2017 model?
The 2018 Buick Encore adds capless fuel fill across the lineup. The Premium trim also gains an ionizing cabin air cleaner and HD Radio with its standard Bose audio system, while the rest of the vehicle remains broadly unchanged.
Was the 2018 Buick Encore redesigned?
No, the 2018 Buick Encore was not redesigned. It remains part of the first generation and carries over the basic design introduced by the 2017 refresh.
Did the 2018 Buick Encore get a new engine or transmission?
No, the 2018 Buick Encore did not receive a lineup-wide engine or transmission change. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines and six-speed automatic transmission carry over.
Is the 2018 Buick Encore meaningfully different from the 2017 model?
No, the 2018 Encore is only lightly different from the 2017 model. Capless fuel fill is the main lineup-wide change, so most used shoppers should expect a very similar driving experience and feature set between the two years.
2018 Buick Encore Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Buick Encore.
4.1
2018 Buick Encore
(427 reviews)
“Not a bad vehicle for it's purpose. Comfortable and great amenities included in the premium trim. Excellent gas mileage which is the main reason for the purchase. The power in the engine is pathetic, especially when living in a hilly area.”
“Love my Buick it's small but big enough to get the job done in a timely fashion. With saving so much fuel economy which is very important right now.”