“I love my Encore "" Ms Silver"" Beautiful, comfortable, drives well and good value for the money.”
Buick Encore: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The Buick Encore is a small luxury SUV known for its easy-to-park size, higher seating position, quiet cabin, and more polished feel than a basic entry-level crossover. Sold in the U.S. from 2013 through 2022, it focused on everyday comfort rather than rugged ability or sporty performance.
The Encore gave Buick shoppers a smaller, city-friendly alternative to the brand’s larger SUVs. Across its run, it stayed focused on a calm cabin, simple technology, flexible cargo space, and an easy-to-manage footprint. A 2017 update modernized the styling, dashboard, and phone connectivity, but the basic formula remained consistent through the final 2022 model.
Strengths
- Its small footprint and higher seating position make crowded streets and tight parking spaces easier to manage.
- The cabin is designed to feel calm and quiet rather than sporty or rugged.
- The folding interior provides useful cargo flexibility, with up to 48.4 cubic feet of cargo room in the 2022 model.
- Models from the 2017 refresh onward have an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- All-wheel drive was offered during much of the Encore’s run for drivers who wanted extra traction.
Who it's for
The Encore suits a city or suburban driver who wants the easier entry and higher seating position of an SUV without the bulk of a larger vehicle. It is a sensible used choice for commuting, errands, and light everyday hauling, especially when a quiet interior and easy parking matter more than strong performance or rugged capability.
Buick Encore lineup
The base trim is the simplest Encore, while Preferred became the core version in later years and the only trim offered for 2022. Sport Touring is the style-focused choice, distinguished mainly by its sport-themed appearance and added convenience equipment. Essence sat toward the upper end of the later lineup and, along with Sport Touring, had the stronger engine tune in 2019. Earlier Encores used Convenience, Leather, and Premium names; from 2014, those trims included blind-zone and rear cross-traffic alerts that were not built into the base model.
Buick Encore generations
From 2013 to 2022, the Encore spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2013.
1st Generation (2013–2022)
The original Encore introduced Buick’s small, easy-to-park crossover with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic. A 2017 refresh brought updated styling, a redesigned dashboard, and a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
243 In Stock
2022Trim changes
The lineup shrank to the Preferred trim, and the standard turbo engine rose to 155 horsepower. This was the Encore’s final U.S. model year.
2021Trim changes
The lineup was reduced to base and Preferred trims, with no redesign or major mechanical update.
2020
Sport Touring and Essence ended during the model year, and their stronger engine setup was discontinued.
2019Trim changes
Preferred II and Premium left the lineup, reducing the range from six trims to four.
2018
A capless fuel filler was added across the lineup; the recently refreshed design otherwise carried over.
2017Mid-cycle update
Updated front and rear styling joined a redesigned dashboard and a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2016Trim changes
The Sport Touring trim joined the lineup with sport-themed styling and added convenience equipment.
2015
Turn-signal indicators were added to the heated outside mirrors; the design, engine, and trim structure carried over.
2014
The touchscreen gained text-message support and Siri Eyes Free, while blind-zone and rear cross-traffic alerts were added to several trims.
2013New generation
The all-new Encore launched in the U.S. as Buick’s smallest crossover, with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and four trims.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Buick Encore.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Encore an SUV or a hatchback?
The Buick Encore is a four-door small SUV with five seats. Its compact body and higher seating position suit everyday road use and tight parking more than rugged trail driving.
Is the Buick Encore good for city driving?
Yes. The Encore’s small footprint, higher seating position and flexible interior make it well suited to crowded streets, tight parking spaces and everyday errands.
How much cargo room does the Buick Encore have?
The Encore is flexible for its size. The front passenger seat and split rear seat fold for longer items, and the latest version is specified with 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space.
Is the Buick Encore big enough for a family?
It can work for a small family with modest space needs. The Encore seats five and has 35.8 inches of rear legroom, but its compact size is better suited to light hauling than bulky family gear.
Does the Buick Encore come as a hybrid?
No. The 2013–2022 Buick Encore uses a gasoline-powered 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission; no hybrid version was offered.
Does the Buick Encore have all-wheel drive?
Yes, many Encore model years offered all-wheel drive for extra traction, while front-wheel drive remained common. Check the individual vehicle because drivetrain availability varied by year and trim.
How many generations of the Buick Encore are there?
The original U.S. Buick Encore has one generation covering 2013–2022. It received a major update for 2017 with revised styling, a redesigned dashboard and newer phone-friendly infotainment.
Do all Buick Encores have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
No. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard with the 2017 refresh and continued on later Encores. Earlier models use the older touchscreen system without those features.
Buick Encore Reviews
What owners are saying about the Buick Encore.
4.1
Buick Encore
(4,171 reviews)
“If you live in a city, need good gas mileage, and want to park just about anywhere, this car is for you. I have loved driving this car, and I, and my friend who has the same car, have run into very little issues over the years of having Buick Encores. They are reliable and budget friendly!”
“Buick Encore is a great reliable car and fun to drive, roundabouts are easy with this car.”
“I have had many people tell me how much they liked my new Buick. This vehicle is very classy looking.”
“After my accident, we decided on a bigger car for safety and our love of the outdoors. It's been great and haven't had any major issues. I feel safe in it and love the ease of my phone since I'm driving a lot for work.”
“I have absolutely enjoyed my Buick. The seats are a light color, so I had to buy seat covers immediately to avoid stains, but I bought good quality seat covers so it still feels lovely. The only thing I was disappointed about was the lack of air vents in the back seat. Overall that is so minor that it doesn't matter.”
Sources
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / NEW GMBC22CT000 2022 Encore Catalog Desktop 32822
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / GMBC22CT000FO 2022 Encore Specifications 1 5
- media.buick.com — Encore / 2021 / 2021 Buick Encore
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / GMBC20CT000 020 Encore Catalog
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / 2021 Buick Encore Brochure
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / GMBC20CT000 020 Encore Catalog
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / 2019 Buick Encore Brochure
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / 2018 Buick Encore Brochure
- buick.com — Download Catalog / 02 Pdfs / 2017 Buick Encore Brochure
- buick.com — Buick / Encore / 2014 Encore Catalog
- static.nhtsa.gov — Tsbs / 2013 / SB 10071537 5448