#2021 ENCORE DRIVERS#

The GX’s cresty, curvy body isn’t much bigger or wider than before but it’s more handsome, and wears better details from its chrome roofline trim to its softly rounded LED taillights. The Encore GX revisits the same premium hatchback/crossover puzzle as the prior Encore, but it solves it more convincingly. (We rated the 2020 Encore at 5.0 out of 10.) Offered in Preferred, Select, and Essence versions, the 2021 Encore GX earns a TCC Rating of 6.0 out of 10. The GX is the Encore you want to drive, though, thanks to gains in styling, safety, and features. It’s offering the older Encore hatchback while it introduces the new Encore GX, which isn’t much more expensive or much bigger.

Otherwise, the little Buick's interior measurements, difficult-to-fold rear seat, and class-average storage space for small items do little to impress.Buick does a double take for the 2021 model year. The Encore's talents as a utility vehicle start and end with a good performance in our carry-on test: It held 20 of our suitcases with the rear seats folded.

#2021 ENCORE DRIVERS#

We appreciated the high seating and comfortable driving position, but larger drivers may find the seat bottom too narrow. The front-seat layout is quite good, with controls that are straightforward and redundant knobs on the dash for climate controls. However, soft-touch sections on the armrests and dash pad provide a more upscale atmosphere the flush-mounted infotainment touchscreen and jewel-colored background accents help, too. There are some hard plastics in the door panels and lower center console, and the glossy black trim on the center stack of our test vehicle didn't match the glossy gray panels on the doors. Within the Encore's compact body lies an interior that is very nearly premium save for a few missteps. The front-drive Encore has an EPA-estimated rating of 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway the all-wheel-drive Encore's estimates are 24 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway. While we haven't subjected the 138-hp Encore to our real-world fuel-economy test, its EPA ratings lag behind competitors such as the Hyundai Kona, the Mazda CX-3, and the Nissan Kicks.

2017 Buick Encore: Surprise Hit Gets Made Over.

Tested: 2017 Buick Encore 1.4L Turbo FWD.

Speaking of comfort, the Encore's suspension soaks up bumps admirably, and harsh impacts are dutifully dampened. Steering is well-weighted if not particularly engaging, but it's accurate and will be agreeable for buyers seeking a comfort-oriented small crossover. With the passengers sitting high atop a short wheelbase, the Encore has a more top-heavy feel than lower-set rivals such as the Mazda CX-3, and as a result, the Encore leans more heavily in corners. We haven't tested an Encore with the base 138-hp engine, but the Buick's corporate twin, the Chevrolet Trax, comes with this engine exclusively and it delivered a leisurely result of 9.3 seconds. Unfortunately, the Encore no longer offers the 153-hp version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine the only engine available is the underpowered 138-hp engine.

Looking for more features? Consider moving up the Buick ladder to the Encore GX (reviewed separately). All-wheel drive is only available on the Preferred model, so that's the one we'd recommend. If you'd like more color choices, upgrading to the Preferred unlocks the rest of the Buick's palette of colors and adds carpeted floor mats and a rear cargo cover. Not much separates the base Encore from the Preferred model, but the cheaper of the two only comes in Summit White.

With the exception of adding Dark Moon Blue Metallic and Cinnabar Metallic exterior colors, Buick hasn't made any changes to its smallest SUV. The Encore's available trims have been downsized to the base and Preferred models for 2021. The Encore comes well-equipped with desirable infotainment features, but those seeking advanced driver-assistance tech won't find much here. Whereas the Encore GX goes toe-to-toe with luxury branded SUVs such as the BMW X1 and Lexus NX, the Encore is priced to compete with non-luxury SUVs such as the Kia Seltos and the Honda HR-V. The interior, however, does much better, offering enough space for four adults to ride in relative comfort and surrounding them with decent materials. A turbocharged four-cylinder is under the hood and moves the little Encore around with a distinct lack of urgency. Not to be confused with the newer and ever-so-slightly larger Encore GX, the Buick Encore serves as the entry point to GM's semi-luxury SUV brand.

2021 encore