2022 Buick Encore review
The Buick Encore claimed a spot as one of the first premium subcompact crossovers in the U.S. Not to be confused with the larger Encore GX (covered separately) that debuted in 2021, the Encore’s small size made it a good city vehicle. With a tiny footprint and a small engine, it was light on power and space, though, and it never offered automatic emergency braking. The Encore GX that replaced it had more space, more equipment, and more driver-assist features.
Explore the evolution of the Buick Encore
Get our expert take on used Buick Encore models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Buick Encore
The Buick Encore was a subcompact SUV built by GM’s South Korean arm, formerly known as Daewoo. It was an appealing but low-powered city runabout with affordable prices.
Buick launched the Encore with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It had sluggish acceleration with front- or all-wheel drive, and that wasn’t helped much by the more powerful version of the 1.4-liter engine that arrived for 2016 and was discontinued for the 2020 model year before coming back in 2022.
Inside, the Encore had a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen that was replaced by an eight-inch unit in 2017. Oddly, it went back down to seven inches for the Encore’s final model year in 2022.
The Encore initially offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning, but they weren’t standard. It never had automatic emergency braking. For 2021, front and rear parking sensors became available.
Model highlights
Subcompact crossover SUV built in Korea
Front- or all-wheel drive
Launched with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine
More powerful 1.4-liter turbo-four added for 2018
Six-speed automatic transmission
Seven-inch touchscreen (2013-2016, 2022); eight-inch screen (2017-2021)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2013 - 2022
2022 Buick Encore
Highlights
Lineup reduced to base and Preferred models
More power for engine
Touchscreen downsized to seven inches
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2021 Buick Encore
Highlights
Simplified trim lineup
Front and rear parking sensors became available
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2020 Buick Encore
Highlights
More powerful engine discontinued
Minor tweaks to available options on Sport Touring trim
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2019 Buick Encore
2018 Buick Encore
2017 Buick Encore
Highlights
Mild front-end refresh
New instrument panel and upgraded interior materials
Larger eight-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ newly standard
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2016 Buick Encore
Highlights
Encore Sport Touring model added with a more powerful turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine
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2015 Buick Encore
Highlights
OnStar® became standard and included 4G LTE connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot
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Looking for 2012 models or older?
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Buick Encore an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Buick Encore 7th out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Buick Encore is $531, compared to an average of $442 for Subcompact SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Buick Encore owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.8 times per year, compared to an average of 0.7 times for Subcompact SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 14% for the Buick Encore, compared to an average of 12% for Subcompact SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Kirk Bell has been an automotive journalist since 2001, doing stints at Motor Authority, MSN Autos, and Consumer Guide. He's currently a freelance journalist with an interest in luxury and performance cars.
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