| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Great Fuel Economy. | Cabin Lacks Room. | Newly-Introduced Sport Touring Trim. |
Excellent Safety Features. | Underpowered Engine. | |
Compliant Ride. | Underwhelming Infotainment. | |
Comfortable Interior. | Limited Engine Options. |
$25,565
price138 hp @ 4900 rpm
horsepower148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm
torque6-Speed Shiftable Automatic
transmission1.4L 4cyl AWD 6A
engine-
basic warrantyThe 2016 Buick Encore starts at $24,065, and offers immense value in terms of practicality, fuel economy, and usability. Offered in five different trims, the Encore offers a wide range of features and configurations, which can be opted for depending on requirement.
To get the best value for the money spent, we recommend the Encore Premium trim with AWD as it offers the best interior experience that any Encore can offer. Also, it offers a great array of safety features that make this car a perfect family car.
With its hushed-up cabin and true crossover-like design, the Encore seems to be a little modest on its performance and interior seating capacity but still stands as an appealing car. The 2016 Buick Encore faces competition from rivals such as the 2016 Acura RDX, the Mini Countryman S, and the BMW X1.
The 2016 Buick Encore is offered in 5 trims, Base, Convenience, Sport Touring, Leather, and Premium. Buick offers the Encore with a base price of $24,065 and goes up to $31,285 for the top variant. The Encore offers a choice to choose between the FWD or the AWD. The Encore comes equipped with a 1.4L Inline-4 engine that produces 138 hp along with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
|
Trim |
Base |
Convenience |
Sport Touring |
Leather |
Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (FWD) |
$24,065 |
$26,355 |
$27,350 |
$28,300 |
$29,785 |
|
MSRP (AWD) |
$25,565 |
$27,855 |
$28,850 |
$29,800 |
$31,285 |
|
Key features |
Six-speaker sound system |
Convenience adds to or replaces Base features - |
Sports Touring adds to or replaces Convenience features - |
Leather adds to or replaces Sport Touring features - |
Premium adds to or replaces Leather features - |
|
|
Automatic headlights |
Fog lamps |
Powerful engine |
Leather upholstery |
Rear parking sensors |
|
|
Heated mirrors |
Blind-spot warning system |
Unique exterior styling |
Heated front seats |
Forward collision warning |
|
|
Cloth and simulated leather upholstery |
Rear cross-traffic alert |
|
Heated steering wheels |
Lane departure warning system |
|
|
Adjustable steering column |
Remote ignition |
|
|
7-speaker Bose sound system |
|
|
Rearview camera |
Dual zone climate control |
|
|
Automatic wipers |
|
|
4G LTE WiFi hotspot |
Auto-dimming rearview mirror |
|
|
|
We recommend
To get the best value for the money spent, we recommend the Encore Premium trim with AWD as it offers the best interior experience that any Encore can offer. Also, it offers a great array of safety features that make this car a perfect family car.
Under its hood, the Encore comes with a small 1.4L Inline-4 engine. The power unit comes mated to an 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces a fairly healthy 138 hp, along with 148 lb-ft of torque. The Sports Touring trim comes with a slightly tweaked up version of the same engine that produces a slightly higher 153 hp.
The engine feels agile, refined and punchy. The powertrain feels responsive and offers sufficient acceleration. However, while hauling extra cargo on the highway, it gets a little taxing for its highway performance. The gearbox feels average, offering slightly odd gear ratios, but you always end up on the right gear at the right time.
|
Models |
Buick Encore Premium AWD |
Acura RDX Base AWD |
Mini Countryman Cooper S ALL4 |
BMW X1 xDrive28i |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$31,285 |
$36,870 |
$27,850 |
$34,800 |
|
Engine |
1.4L-i4 |
3.5L-V6 |
1.6L-i4 |
2L-i4 |
|
Transmission |
6-speed A/T |
6-speed A/T |
6-speed M/T |
8-speed A/T |
|
Horsepower |
138 hp |
279 hp |
181 hp |
228 hp |
|
Torque (lb-ft) |
148 |
252 |
177 |
258 |
|
0-60 MPH |
9.5 sec |
6.2 sec |
7.5 sec |
6.3 sec |
|
Quarter mile |
N/A |
14.8 sec |
15.9 sec |
14.9 sec |
|
60-0 (ft.) |
N/A |
122 |
N/A |
N/A |
In terms of acceleration, the Acura RDX bags the first position as it sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The BMW X1 closely follows it with a time of 6.3 seconds. All in all, the Encore ends up at the lower end of the performance spectrum. While most competitors offer better performance and power, the Encore takes a mediocre stand.
While the Encore doesn’t do well with performance, it manages to be a fairly fuel efficient vehicle. The 2016 Buick Encore returns 23 MPG in the city, and 30 MPG on the highway. The result is a combined EPA fuel economy of 26 MPG, which is pretty decent. Additionally, the Buick Encore comes fitted with a 14.0 gallon fuel tank, which enables the SUV to deliver respectable driving range.
|
Models |
Buick Encore Premium AWD |
Acura RDX Base AWD |
Mini Countryman Cooper S ALL4 |
BMW X1 xDrive28i |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (city) |
23 |
19 |
25 |
22 |
|
MPG (hwy) |
30 |
28 |
31 |
32 |
|
MPG (combined) |
26 |
22 |
29 |
26 |
|
Fuel tank capacity (gal.) |
14.0 |
16.0 |
12.4 |
16.1 |
The 2016 Mini Countryman bags the first place with the highest MPG value of 29, due to its less demanding engine. The Buick Encore, on the other hand, shares second place with the 2016 BMW X1, having a similar combined MPG value of 26. Lastly, the 2016 Acura RDX finishes in last place for having the least fuel efficiency of 22 MPG due to its big and demanding engine. If this is the key criterion for your purchase, the Mini Countryman stands as the clear winner.
Buick is known for its comfortable and luxurious interiors. Treading on the similar lines, the Encore offers a comfortable and well-built interior. The front seats feel comfortable and well-bolstered and offer a dominating view because of their high position. The rear seats are also fairly roomy, but due to its small exterior dimensions, the rear cabin feels a little cramped.
With a number of little cubby spaces, the interior feels practical. With soft-touch materials and simulated wood trims that enhance the luxurious feel and look of the interior, the interior feels plush and classy. When cargo capacity is taken into account, the Encore offers nothing special as it only offers a mediocre 18.8 cu.ft of boot space which feels adequate for a car of its size.
|
Models |
Buick Encore Premium AWD |
Acura RDX Base AWD |
Mini Countryman Cooper S ALL4 |
BMW X1 xDrive28i |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front (head/shoulder/leg) (in.) |
39.6/54.2/40.8 |
38.7/58.7/42.0 |
39.9/52.8/40.4 |
42.0/56.7/40.4 |
|
Second (head/shoulder/rear) (in.) |
38.8/52.6/35.8 |
38.1/57.2/38.3 |
37.5/52.1/33.8 |
39.4/57.2/37.0 |
|
Cargo capacity with rear seats up(cu.ft.) |
18.8 |
26.1 |
16.5 |
27.1 |
|
Cargo capacity with rear seats down(cu.ft.) |
48.4 |
61.3 |
41.3 |
58.7 |
Comparing the competition, the BMW X1 offers the most headroom in the first row, while the Acura RDX has the most shoulder space and legroom on offer. At the back, the BMW X1 again offers the greatest headroom, while the shoulder space reaches a tie between the Acura RDX and the BMW X1. Additionally, the former offers the greatest legroom in the second row. The BMW X1 also offers the most cargo space behind the second row, comfortably taking the interior space crown. Some highlight interior features offered with the 2016 Buick Encore include:
The 2016 Buick Encore is offered with a fairly basic infotainment unit, which manages to keep you engaged and entertained throughout your trip. The Encore is offered with a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, featuring basic apps and settings to fiddle with. There’s Bluetooth Audio Streaming on offer, but you can also plug in your device via Aux and USB units. Buick also offered a Satellite Radio to further diversify your infotainment needs. Higher trims will fetch you OnStar services, along with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. For music aficionados, the Encore comes with an optional 7-speaker Bose sound system. Some key infotainment features offered with the 2016 Buick Encore include:
With a bulbous look that pulls it away from a more aggressive and modern look that many of its rivals have, the Encore stands quite differently due to its tall and round shape. The car gives a tough look while standing on 18" wheels with its grille that looks like an angry beast showing its teeth. With some chrome touches at its exterior, the car tries to tone down the aggressiveness of the design by adding some luxury elements to it.
|
Models |
Buick Encore Premium AWD |
Acura RDX Base AWD |
Mini Countryman Cooper S ALL4 |
BMW X1 xDrive28i |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3,358 |
3,902 |
3,208 |
3,660 |
|
Length (in.) |
168.4 |
184.4 |
161.8 |
174.8 |
|
Width (in.) |
69.9 |
73.7 |
70.4 |
71.7 |
|
Height (in.) |
65.3 |
65.0 |
61.5 |
63.5 |
|
Ground clearance (in.) |
6.2 |
5.4 |
N/A |
7.2 |
|
Wheelbase (in) |
100.6 |
105.7 |
102.2 |
105.1 |
Comparing the competition, the Acura RDX comes off as the heaviest vehicle in the lot. The RDX also measures the longest in the lot, while also being the widest. The Buick Encore stands the tallest among the rivals, while the BMW X1 offers the highest ground clearance. The Acura RDX also comes with the longest wheelbase on offer. Some highlight exterior features offered with the 2016 Buick Encore include:
The 2016 Buick Encore stands as an extremely safe vehicle for regular use. The Encore’s safety merit has been acknowledged by the NHTSA with an impressive 5-Star Safety Score. Additionally, the 2016 model year Encore managed to secure “Good” ratings in most of the IIHS’s safety tests. It was also nominated for the “Top Safety Pick” award by the IIHS. Some of the key safety features offered with the 2016 Buick Encore include:
With a decently powered engine along with a luxurious interior that feels plush and rich, the 2016 Buick Encore stands as a vehicle that not only provides luxury but also offers practicality. With a good amount of boot space along with a fuel efficiency that makes this car hard to pass, the Buick Encore is definitely a car for the families who want a car with a purposeful and practical approach. Additionally, the 2016 model year Buick Encore starts at a fairly affordable starting price, and ends up being an excellent alternative to foreign vehicles such as the BMW X1 and the Acura MDX.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Buick Encore Ranked #7 | 9.8 sec | 17.2 sec | 118 mph | |||
2016 Fiat 500X Ranked #1 | 7.8 sec | 16.0 sec | 120 mph | |||
2016 Jeep Renegade Ranked #2 | 8.6 sec | 16.5 sec | 112 mph | |||
2016 GMC Terrain Ranked #3 | 8.7 sec | - | - | |||
2016 Kia Sportage Ranked #4 | 9 sec | 17.5 sec | 114 mph | |||
2016 Honda HR-V Ranked #4 | 9 sec | 17.1 sec | 117 mph |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Buick Encore Ranked #2 | 28 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | 14 gal. | 350/462 mi. | |||
2016 Chevrolet Trax Ranked #1 | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | 14 gal. | 364/476 mi. | |||
2016 Honda HR-V Ranked #2 | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 330/448.8 mi. | |||
2016 Fiat 500X Ranked #2 | 22 mpg | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 317.5/431.8 mi. | |||
2016 Nissan Rogue Ranked #2 | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | 14.5 gal. | 377/478.5 mi. | |||
2016 Jeep Renegade Ranked #3 | 22 mpg | 31 mpg | 27 mpg | 12.7 gal. | 304.8/393.7 mi. | Jeep USA |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Buick Encore Ranked #8 | 168.41 in. | 69.85 in. | 65.26 in. | 6.22 in. | 100.6 in. | |||
2016 GMC Terrain Ranked #1 | 185.5 in. | 72.8 in. | 66.3 in. | 6.9 in. | 112.5 in. | |||
2016 Nissan Rogue Ranked #2 | 182.3 in. | 72.4 in. | 66.3 in. | 7.4 in. | 106.5 in. | |||
2016 Ford Escape Ranked #3 | 178.1 in. | 72.4 in. | 66.3 in. | 7.9 in. | 105.9 in. | |||
2016 Hyundai Tucson Ranked #4 | 176.2 in. | 72.8 in. | 64.8 in. | 6.4 in. | 105.1 in. | |||
2016 Kia Sportage Ranked #5 | 174.8 in. | 73 in. | 64.4 in. | 6.8 in. | 103.9 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Buick Encore Ranked #6 | 18.8 cu.ft. | 92.8 cu.ft. | 48.4 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Fiat 500X Ranked #1 | 12.2 cu.ft. | 100.1 cu.ft. | 50.8 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Ford Escape Ranked #1 | 34.3 cu.ft. | 98.1 cu.ft. | 67.8 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Jeep Renegade Ranked #2 | 18.5 cu.ft. | 100.1 cu.ft. | 50.8 cu.ft. | Jeep USA | ||
2016 Honda HR-V Ranked #3 | 24.3 cu.ft. | 100.1 cu.ft. | 72.4 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Nissan Rogue Ranked #4 | 32 cu.ft. | 105.8 cu.ft. | 70 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Buick Encore Ranked #1 | 48.4 cu.ft. | 18.8 cu.ft. | 48.4 cu.ft. | 60 ft. | |||
2016 Nissan Rogue Ranked #2 | 70 cu.ft. | 32 cu.ft. | 70 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Hyundai Tucson Ranked #3 | 8.6 cu.ft. | 31 cu.ft. | 61.9 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Kia Sportage Ranked #4 | 13.5 cu.ft. | 26.1 cu.ft. | 54.6 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Honda HR-V Ranked #5 | 72.4 cu.ft. | 24.3 cu.ft. | 72.4 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 GMC Terrain Ranked #6 | 63.9 cu.ft. | 31.6 cu.ft. | 63.9 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Buick Encore Ranked #2 | 3500 lbs. | 1018 lbs. | 3237 lbs. | |||
2016 Chevrolet Trax Ranked #1 | 5200 lbs. | - | 2805 lbs. | |||
2016 Hyundai Tucson Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 1261 lbs. | 3325 lbs. | |||
2016 Jeep Renegade Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | - | 3044 lbs. | Jeep USA | ||
2016 Kia Sportage Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 1328 lbs. | 3280 lbs. | |||
2016 Honda HR-V Ranked #4 | 1763 lbs. | 1099 lbs. | 2888 lbs. |
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POPULAR TAGS
User Overall Rating
Posted On: August 4, 2024
It's a decent car overall but not much room for expanding your family in. It gets us from point a to point b no problems. Great stereo syst3m with bose audio. Nice screen with navigation system installed
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 5, 2024
Don't like it at all to many repairs since owning it. I hate it. It is a lemon and the dealership will not buy it back. Value has gone down since I bought it. It is a piece of crap car. I wish I could get rid of it for what I owe on it.
User Overall Rating
Posted On: June 30, 2024
The leather seats are soft and lovely, better yet they are heated. The tinted windows add privacy and the sunroof is perfect during sunny days. The MPG in reality averages about 23 in the city and 29 on the highway, though it can fluctuate. I love the safety feature like lane correction and how the cruise control slows down with traffic. The parking feature will beep at anything within 6ft but be...
