| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Great styling | Underpowered engine | Freshened trim line |
Classy interior | Tiny storage spaces inside the cabin | Addition of new exterior colors |
Superb NVH levels | Folding seats is a workout | The product line has been updated with an additional safety package |
Best for urban jungles | ||
Great fuel economy |
$23,200
price138 hp @ 4900 rpm
horsepower148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm
torque6-Speed Shiftable Automatic
transmission1.4L 4cyl FWD 6A
engine-
basic warrantyThe subcompact crossover segment is having the best time of their lives as every automaker in the world has at least one offering in the segment. The 2019 Buick Encore doesn’t get much of the limelight as the Asians have taken over the market. Despite all of this, the Encore remains Buick’s best-selling vehicle.
The 2019 Buick Encore in base trim is very basic, and you can option the vehicle out the way you want. But for that, you would need to have Preferred trim at least. This is a very tricky situation actually. Having the Encore Essence trim makes some sense as it has most of the features regarding comfort and convenience straight out of the factory, and the few remaining can be added.
A nice, practical, street-smart crossover with a $23,200 price tag, the 2019 Encore provides tremendous value. Based on the Chevrolet Trax, the Encore is a nice upmarket compact SUV on a budget. There are a variety of rivals for this Buick, including Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V each of which has its own virtues.
The 2019 Buick Encore comes in 4 trims; 1SV, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence. The base trim only has an FWD drive drivetrain option and comes with very basic features like keyless entry, heated mirrors, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. The Preferred trim doesn’t add anything substantial, but it makes you eligible to have optional extras. It’s the Essence trim that takes this SUV to luxury areas as it comes equipped with power seats for the passenger and memory function for the driver seat. Rain sensing wipers, genuine leather bucket seats, navigation, and advanced safety features are still optional.
|
Trim |
1SV |
Preferred |
Sport Touring |
Essence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (FWD) |
$23,200 |
$24,600 |
$25,800 |
$29,300 |
|
MSRP (AWD) |
N/A |
$26,100 |
$27,300 |
$30,800 |
|
Key Features |
18-inch wheels |
Adds/upgrades to the 1SV trim |
Adds/upgrades to the Preferred trim |
Adds/upgrades to the Sport Touring trim |
|
8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay |
Colored keyed floor mats |
Rear spoiler |
Dual-zone automatic climate control |
|
|
Heated power mirrors |
Remote engine start |
Fog lights |
Driver Memory seats |
|
|
6-way power-adjustable driver seats with lumbar support |
Cargo shade |
Remote Start |
120V power outlet |
|
|
Synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel |
Enables having optional features |
Cruise Control |
6-way power-adjustable passenger seats |
|
|
Cruise control |
|
|
|
Which trim should you buy?
The 2019 Buick Encore in base trim is very basic, and you can option the vehicle out the way you want. But for that, you would need to have Preferred trim at least. This is a very tricky situation actually. Having the Encore Essence trim makes some sense as it has most of the features regarding comfort and convenience straight out of the factory, and the few remaining can be added.
This should be one of the most important concerns for you in this price range. You can change upholstery to make the car more comfortable, live without smartphone integration, but fuel economy cannot be compromised. Well, the 2019 Buick Encore is slightly behind in this area compared to rivals. It returns 25 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. We are grateful that at least the fuel tank capacity is acceptable at 14 gallons.
|
Models |
2019 Buick Encore |
2019 Hyundai Kona |
2019 Honda HR-V |
2019 Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
25 |
27 |
28 |
27 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
30 |
33 |
34 |
33 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
27 |
30 |
30 |
29 |
|
Fuel Capacity (Gallons) |
14.0 |
13.2 |
13.2 |
16.6 |
|
Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles) |
350/420/378 |
356.4/435.6/396 |
369.6/448.8/396 |
448.2/547.8/481.4 |
The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek has managed to have both, better overall economy and a big fuel tank. Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V are neck to neck in both aspects. Hyundai Kona didn’t manage the braking very well, but that low weight has certainly helped it in fuel economy. Well, something to cheer for at least. When comparing the overall range, Subaru stands way ahead of its rivals with a combined range of 481.4 miles.
The interior space of the 2019 Encore is designed well and doesn’t have anything that will distract you. Color choice is mostly monochromatic, and shiny plastic inserts are kept to a minimum. The dashboard has a good multilayered design. The steering wheel has some nice slots to hold onto which is a big boon in such a budget vehicle. The infotainment screen sits flush in the center console and only has necessary switches, unlike some others who still put 9 dedicated switches for the radio presets.
The seats on the Encore are fine, but there is no bolstering whatsoever to support you sideways. Power adjustability on the seats can have full marks and can even be had with a memory function for the driver. The cushioning is slightly stiff, and having leather upholstery won’t help here. The second-row seats are flat almost and combined with the firm cushions, chances are high you might feel uneasy than expected. Again, thanks to the height, headroom is no issue. Legroom is bound to suffer as this is a tiny SUV. Oh, one more thing, the climate control on this car works fantastic, chills the entire cabin in a minute or less.
|
Models |
2019 Buick Encore |
2019 Hyundai Kona |
2019 Honda HR-V |
2019 Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg, in inches) |
39.8/54.2/40.8 |
39.6/55.5/41.5 |
39.5/56.8/41.2 |
39.8/56.7/43.1 |
|
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg, in inches) |
38.8/52.5/35.7 |
37.8/54.4/34.6 |
38.3/54.5/39.3 |
38/55.6/36.5 |
|
Cargo Capacity (cubic feet) |
18.8 |
19.2 |
24.3 |
20.8 |
The cargo capacity of the Encore is hindered due to its size, but we still have some decent space to live with. The seat folding mechanism is a little weird, first, you’ll have to fold up the lower part of the seat, then lower the headrests to the full and fold the seatback. You might need to adjust the front seats to make these fold flat. You can fold the front passenger seat as well to store super long items in there. The cargo capacity on all the rivals is more or less the same, interesting is how the HR-V still manages to have the best trunk space and the highest amount of legroom on the second row. Standout interior features include:
The 2019 Encore comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay as standard. Factory navigation is an optional accessory, but we don’t need it when we have smartphone integration. The Bose sound system works well and is more than enough for everyone. The touchscreen works well, and the input lag is very minimal. Icons and texts are big and easy to read. Standout infotainment features include:
The Encore has undergone a design upgrade in the year 2017, and for 2019, there aren’t any changes. The dual DRL strips are something you don’t regularly see on small cars. The front bumper design is a little unconventional as it is more recessed inward than the grille. The grille is going to be the first casualty here if you hit something rather than the front bumper.
The hood has few body lines going, making the car look aggressive, while the rear end is the dullest part of this vehicle. How nicely they designed the front headlights setup, they equally ruined it in the back. The underbody guards are there just for aesthetic purposes. The 18-inch wheels are the most pleasing assets of this vehicle and are standard on all trims. Overall the 2019 Encore looks nice except for the taillight setup.
|
Models |
2019 Buick Encore |
2019 Hyundai Kona |
2019 Honda HR-V |
2019 Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3237 |
2890 |
2906 |
3157 |
|
Length (inches) |
168.4 |
164 |
170.4 |
175.8 |
|
Width (inches) |
70.1 |
70.9 |
69.8 |
71 |
|
Height (inches) |
65.2 |
61 |
63.2 |
63.6 |
|
Ground Clearance (inches) |
6.2 |
6.7 |
5.4 |
8.7 |
|
Wheelbase (inches) |
100.6 |
102.4 |
102.8 |
104.9 |
The 2019 Buick Encore is a perfect example of a small city car, and so is the HR-V, and yet it managed to provide better trunk space than anyone else. A shorter wheelbase will make it quite unstable at high speeds, but the engine won’t let you anyway. The Subaru Crosstrek has struck a nice balance between compact overall size and an overall decent wheelbase, which is great for high-speed stability. Standout exterior features include:
Buick has managed to build the 2019 Encore very sturdy, and the NHTSA crash tests reflect the same thing. The 2019 Encore has got a 5-star rating in every crash category with a rollover risk of just 19.8%. The Encore almost managed to get the Top Safety Pick award from IIHS. The 2019 Encore comes with optional front crash prevention tech and has scored a Basic rating. Overall, the structural integrity is okay on this one. Standout safety features include:
Subaru does everything better than the Encore. Yes, the overall length is more, but 8 or 9 extra inches aren’t going to hurt your neighbor’s car. The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek also has the fuel economy advantage, and combined that with a greater interior space and off-road capabilities, there isn’t any solid reason to consider the Encore over the Subaru Crosstrek.
Hyundai Kona has an overall better design than the Buick Encore. The optional turbocharged engine is quicker than the weak base engine. The 2019 Hyundai Kona comes with more safety features as standard over the Encore, but the adaptive cruise control is missing even from the options list. Both the SUVs are on the same page more or less, this time we are letting you be the decision-maker.
These are proper rivals if only the size was the constraint, otherwise, Encore lacks on some fronts and excels on some. Cargo space is better on the HR-V and has a better infotainment system. The 2019 Encore is much quicker, but the fuel economy is dismal compared to Honda. All in all, for us, Honda offers a better deal between the two in the comparison.
The 2019 Buick Encore can handle only very specific duties, but it does them great. Buick knew most of the crowd would use this in urban environments, and that’s why they have some proper noise insulation. The overall driving experience in this SUV is fun, and that 1.4L engine has just enough power for the cities. The thing is, the 2019 Buick Encore gets expensive as you add options. And for that price, you have a better option like Hyundai Kona as it has some off-road capabilities as well. If you are really in love with the compact size and design of the Encore, only then consider it, otherwise, it is wise to look elsewhere.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 Buick Encore Ranked #21 | 9.8 sec | 16.6 sec | 121 mph | |||
2019 Toyota Avalon Ranked #1 | 6 sec | 14.6 sec | - | |||
2019 Nissan Maxima Ranked #2 | 6.1 sec | 14.6 sec | - | |||
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Ranked #3 | 6.3 sec | - | - | |||
2019 Infiniti QX30 Ranked #4 | 6.7 sec | - | - | |||
2019 Cadillac Escalade Ranked #5 | 6.8 sec | 15.0 sec | 137 mph |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 Buick Encore Ranked #7 | 25 mpg | 30 mpg | 27 mpg | 14 gal. | 364/434 mi. | |||
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan Ranked #1 | 43 mpg | 44 mpg | 44 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 567.6/580.8 mi. | |||
2019 Nissan Kicks Ranked #2 | 31 mpg | 36 mpg | 33 mpg | 10.8 gal. | 334.8/388.8 mi. | |||
2019 Mazda CX-3 Ranked #3 | 29 mpg | 34 mpg | 31 mpg | 12.7 gal. | 368.3/431.8 mi. | |||
2019 Honda HR-V Ranked #4 | 28 mpg | 34 mpg | 30 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 369.6/448.8 mi. | |||
2019 Hyundai Kona Ranked #4 | 27 mpg | 33 mpg | 30 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 356.4/435.6 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 Buick Encore Ranked #19 | 168.35 in. | 70.1 in. | 65.25 in. | 6.22 in. | 100.6 in. | |||
2019 Cadillac Escalade Ranked #1 | 203.9 in. | 80.5 in. | 74.4 in. | 8 in. | 116 in. | |||
2019 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Sedan Ranked #2 | 197.5 in. | 73.5 in. | 57.5 in. | 7 in. | 114.4 in. | |||
2019 Buick LaCrosse Ranked #2 | 197.5 in. | 73.5 in. | 57.5 in. | 7 in. | 114.4 in. | |||
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan Ranked #3 | 195.9 in. | 72.8 in. | 56.5 in. | 5.3 in. | 113 in. | |||
2019 Toyota Avalon Ranked #3 | 195.9 in. | 72.8 in. | 56.5 in. | 5.3 in. | 113 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 Buick Encore Ranked #3 | 18.8 cu.ft. | 92.8 cu.ft. | 48.4 cu.ft. | |||
2019 Buick LaCrosse Ranked #1 | 65.7 cu.ft. | 102 cu.ft. | 120.1 cu.ft. | |||
2019 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Sedan Ranked #1 | 14.3 cu.ft. | 102 cu.ft. | 120.1 cu.ft. | |||
2019 Mazda CX-5 Ranked #2 | 30.9 cu.ft. | 103.6 cu.ft. | 59.6 cu.ft. | |||
2019 Buick Envision Ranked #3 | 26.9 cu.ft. | 100.6 cu.ft. | 57.3 cu.ft. | |||
2019 Ford EcoSport Ranked #4 | 20.9 cu.ft. | 91.1 cu.ft. | 4.9 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 Buick Encore Ranked #1 | 89.7 cu.ft. | 18.8 cu.ft. | 48.4 cu.ft. | 74 ft. | |||
2019 Buick LaCrosse Ranked #2 | 120.1 cu.ft. | 65.7 cu.ft. | 120.1 cu.ft. | - | |||
2019 Honda HR-V Ranked #3 | 11.2 cu.ft. | 24.3 cu.ft. | 58.8 cu.ft. | - | |||
2019 Infiniti QX30 Ranked #4 | 34 cu.ft. | 19.2 cu.ft. | 34 cu.ft. | - | |||
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sedan Ranked #5 | - | 16.1 cu.ft. | - | - | |||
2019 Kia Sportage Ranked #6 | 60.1 cu.ft. | 30.7 cu.ft. | 60.1 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 Buick Encore Ranked #7 | 1500 lbs. | 1018 lbs. | 3237 lbs. | |||
2019 Cadillac Escalade Ranked #1 | 8300 lbs. | 1522 lbs. | 5311 lbs. | |||
2019 Hyundai Kona Ranked #2 | 5000 lbs. | 915 lbs. | 2890 lbs. | |||
2019 Infiniti QX30 Ranked #3 | 3968 lbs. | 983 lbs. | 3285 lbs. | |||
2019 Honda HR-V Ranked #4 | 2959 lbs. | 850 lbs. | 2902 lbs. | |||
2019 Jeep Compass Ranked #5 | 2000 lbs. | 1216 lbs. | 3184 lbs. | Jeep USA |
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POPULAR TAGS
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 6, 2024
I love my Buick, it gets great gas mileage, room in the hatch for my moms wheelchair, easy opening hatch. Very roomy in the front, not so roomy in back. I love that it's Bluetooth, I can hook my phone up and answer calls, but mostly I can listen to my music.
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 3, 2024
I leased my car in 2020 it was my first time leasing and I love it. My car is red with a gray inside. It has a wide screen which has all the apps that you could want, and it was easy to set up my cell phone, it also has a place to plug in a cord to charge your phone while your in the car. It also has a good size truck space, and you can also open the truck by waving you food near the truck to ope...
