2021 Buick Encore Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Buick of years past was known for making big, soft, grandparent vehicles with little in the way of driving personality. That’s all changed over the years, and despite the fact that the brand only sells crossovers, there’s more character and modern tech than ever before. That’s sort of true for Buick’s smallest vehicle, the Encore, which is a tiny crossover that’s available with many of the upscale features that buyers expect from General Motors’ mid-level brand.
While it shares much of its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Trax, the Buick Encore does a solid job at hiding its pedestrian origins under layers of Buick sound insulation and decent interior materials. The Encore’s price sets it in line with the mainstream competition from brands such as Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda, instead of premium brands that Buick’s other vehicles play against. Recently, the automaker added a larger Encore GX model to its lineup, but it’s a completely separate model that is both larger and more expensive.
With a trimming down of the Encore lineup for 2021, Buick did away with the more powerful 153-horsepower 1.4-liter engine that provided juice for the previous model. Every 2021 Encore is now powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that produces 138 hp and 148 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), but only the Preferred trim is available with the AWD option.
Inside, the Encore gets an 8-inch touchscreen that runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot is also standard, and navigation with traffic and weather data is optional. The Encore gets six speakers, SiriusXM radio, Bluetooth, and USB inputs as standard kit, while a Bose seven-speaker stereo is optional.
The 2021 Buick Encore scored mixed results in crash tests and most advanced safety features are held back as add-cost optional features. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) scored the Encore “Good” in most crash test categories, with the exception of small overlap front passenger side crashworthiness, where it earned an “Acceptable” score. Available safety tech includes blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, front and rear parking assist, forward collision alerts, and lane departure warnings.
The 2021 Buick Encore is on sale now with a starting price that lands at $24,195 after a $995 destination charge. Stepping up to the Preferred trim pushes the price to $25,595, and adding all-wheel drive changes the MSRP to $26,215.
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2021 Buick Encore Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Gracenote internet radio · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.6 · Rear brake width: 0.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Parking brake trim: urethane · Shift knob trim: chrome · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.53
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Buick Infotainment System · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: black
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth · Upholstery accents: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app compatibility: myBuick with Connected Access · Smart device app function: maintenance scheduling · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Gracenote internet radio · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.6 · Rear brake width: 0.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Parking brake trim: urethane · Shift knob trim: chrome · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.53
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Buick Infotainment System · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: black
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth · Upholstery accents: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app compatibility: myBuick with Connected Access · Smart device app function: maintenance scheduling · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Gracenote internet radio · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.6 · Rear brake width: 0.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Parking brake trim: urethane · Shift knob trim: chrome · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 3.53
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: black
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth · Upholstery accents: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app compatibility: myBuick with Connected Access · Smart device app function: maintenance scheduling · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent