Buick Encore 2013-2022: what to know before buying?

Naturally, the Buick Encore was for several years the brand’s most popular car in Canada. This is why its first generation (2013-2022) lasted so long. Now replaced in Buick’s lineup with the all-new 2024 Envista, it finds itself in the used market, hoping to attract consumers who might have trouble absorbing the recent price hike for a new small SUV.

Here’s what you need to know before buying a used Buick Encore…

The identical twin of the Chevrolet Trax, which shares its platform and many accessories, this small and elegant car looks and feels more luxurious, with, among other things, a better finish and more careful sound insulation using noise. deletion system. That helps reduce the 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder Ecotec engine that sits under the hood.

We’re talking about a modest output of 138 horsepower, fortunately supported by a large torque (148 lb-ft) that helps during acceleration and recovery. That said, understand that Encore is not a bomb and that you still have to plan your passing maneuvers. A six-speed automatic transmission is required, while average fuel consumption is around 8.5 L/100 km for front-wheel drive models and 9 L/100 km for all-wheel drive. We’ve already seen the best.

Most used Buick Encores include leather upholstery, a Bose sound system, a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. A Sport Touring version was added from 2016 to 2019, with a 153-horsepower engine and unique cosmetic touches.

Some major changes have occurred for the 2017 model year, especially in terms of design, both exterior and interior. The control interface and display have been slightly updated, including an eight-inch touchscreen as shown above. Finally, for its swan song (2022), GM modified the engine to produce 155 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, figures that are more convincing than just on paper.

In terms of practicality, the Buick Encore has a small trunk of 532 liters, which still puts it in the average category. By folding the rear seat, we get a load volume of 1,371 liters. Speaking of space, it is quite limited in the rear seats, which are more suitable for children than adults, despite the decent headroom.

Next, you should know that the list of safety recalls for this car is short, nothing major and there are no recalls from 2018. The Encore has proven to be more reliable over the years, especially in the last half of the generation, as evidenced. and various studies of the JD Power company that placed it first in its category in this regard. On the other hand, intensive maintenance of the turbocharged engine is recommended.

Happy shopping!