Used Buick Encore Buying Guide

Used Buick Encore Buying Guide
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If you’re in the market for a used Buick Encore, but don’t know which one to get, we want to help. The Encore blends efficiency, comfort, and some great features to give you the best vehicle possible, but with a few trims and engines to pick from across generations, things may get confusing. We’ll take a look at the differences, as well as some of the best year models to help you find the perfect SUV.

Key Takeaways:

  • The best used Buick Encore model would be one from 2018 as it offers the most features, and trims before the line was scaled back.
  • The Encore came with a great engine, almost delivering 400 miles of total range.
  • If you want something that doesn't look like a soccer mom car, then you can look for a Sport Touring model. This comes with a flashier appearance, as well as a stronger engine for most of its life.

First Generation (2013-2022)

Used Buick Encore First Generation Buying Guide

The Encore only saw one generation during its life, but some of the more recent models brought great features. When this generation first hit the road, it came in 4 trims, with two drivetrains, and one engine. The trims you can find are the Base, Convenience, Leather, and Premium, while the drivetrains are FWD and AWD. The engine that you can find from this time is the 1.4L I4, able to produce 128 horsepower.

This engine is surprisingly efficient, having an EPA-rated 28 MPG combined, able to go 392 miles in total. If you want something efficient and won’t cost a lot, this will be one you want to look for.

Being that the Encore was lacking a bit when it came to a sporty feel, Buick aimed to change that. In 2016, the Sport Touring joined the lineup. This brought flashier looks, upgraded tech in the form of remote start, and even more importantly, a new engine. The engine that came with it was a similar size to the one on the other trims, but this one was able to output 153 horsepower.

The next biggest change came in 2017, with the lineup now having 6 trims. The trims are the Base, Preferred, Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, and Premium. The main purpose of this refresh was to bring a new look to the model, but it also brought some new features. This refresh brought a revised center stack, which brought a new 8-inch frameless screen.

When 2018 came around, so did some new features. While a large update happened the year before, Buick felt like it needed more, so they added HD radio. With the 2019 models, Buick was moving on to different models, so the Encore saw a hit to the trim levels. Now, it comes with the Base, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence trims.

If you find some Essence trims from this year, you want to see if they include the Safety Package II. This added rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning.

But if you don’t care for these features, Car and Driver thinks that Sport Touring is the way to go, thanks to its “visual punch to the Encore's appearance”. In 2020, the Sport Touring took a hit, losing its more powerful engine, as well as the dual-zone climate control that it had picked up over the years.

When 2021 came around, the writing was on the wall, with only being offered in the Base and Preferred trims. With nothing being added this year, things seemed bleak, but Buick had one last trick up their sleeve for 2022. In 2022, the lone trim was the Preferred, but the base engine saw a bump in power, now sitting at 155 horsepower.

Why should I get a Buick Encore?

We think that an Encore is a great choice for those who want something efficient, coming with a handful of trims, with some looking sporty, while others focus on other aspects. This is more than a soccer mom SUV, making it a great option for everyone. If you want to see one in person, or have more questions. Come on down to a Jarrett location today so we can help!

Pricing was accurate at the time of article writing. All pricing is subject to change. See the manufacturer and/or Dealer for up-to-date pricing.