2019 Buick Encore

2019 Buick Encore Overview

Is the 2019 Buick Encore a Good Used SUV?

Yes, the 2019 Buick Encore is a very good used subcompact SUV . The Encore boasts a comfortable ride and an upscale interior that comes loaded with tech and safety features, including one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems around. The Encore has decent cargo space and one of the roomier cabins in the class. Its only major drawbacks are its above-average price and relatively weak engines.

Why You Can Trust Us

Our Buick Encore review includes more than just one person's opinion. We’ve collected professional evaluations from 46 sources and combined them with concrete data like vehicle fuel economy estimates, safety features, and performance specs to help you make an informed buying decision.

The U.S. News Best Cars team has been ranking cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than a combined 75 years of automotive industry experience. To ensure our impartiality, we never accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside team handles the advertising on our site.

Pricing

How Much is a 2019 Buick Encore?

Based on listings for the 2019 Buick Encore, the average list price is $14,072. Prices range from $14,072 to $19,569 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

How Much Does the 2019 Buick Encore Cost to Own?

The 2019 Encore’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $24,600, or $4,920 per year. That’s below average for the class.

2018 vs. 2019 Buick Encore: What's the Difference?

Buick reshuffled the Encore’s trims for 2019, but otherwise there are no major differences between the 2018 and 2019 models.

Compare the 2018 and 2019 Encore »

Here are the key changes for the Buick Encore over the past few years:

• 2016: introduced fuel-efficient Sport Touring trim
• 2017: refreshed exterior and interior styling; introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features
• 2018: no major changes
• 2019: trims reshuffled

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2016 Encore , 2017 Encore , and 2018 Encore reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

How Reliable Is the 2019 Buick Encore?

The 2019 Buick Encore has a stellar predicted reliability rating of 4.5 out of five.

Read more about Encore reliability »

2019 Buick Encore Recalls

There are no major recalls for the 2019 Buick Encore at this time.

See more information on Buick Encore safety recalls »

Which Used Buick Encore Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2019 Buick Encore comes in four trims: 1SV, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence. The base 1SV is a good choice for many shoppers. Its standard infotainment system includes several in-demand tech features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

All-wheel drive is available starting in the Preferred trim, and the stronger four-cylinder engine is available in the Sport Touring and Essence trims. The Sport Touring trim comes with an upgraded infotainment system that includes navigation, and the Essence trim comes with the most driver assistance features of any Encore.

• Buick Encore 1SV: The base Buick Encore 1SV comes with a 138-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is not available. This trim has the Buick IntelliLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, two USB ports, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Additional standard features include a rearview camera, alloy wheels, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a flat-folding front passenger seat, push-button start, OnStar, Buick Connected Services, and Buick's QuietTuning and Active Noise Cancellation.
• Buick Encore Preferred: The Encore Preferred has the base trims features, plus a standard rear cargo cover. Some models may come with all-wheel drive, a moonroof, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
• Buick Encore Sport Touring: The Encore Sport Touring trim adds fog lights and remote start, and it’s the first trim available with the upgraded IntelliLink system with navigation. Some Encore Sport Touring models come with a 153-horsepower version of the base engine.
• Buick Encore Essence: The Buick Encore Essence adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Some models may come with a moonroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning.

See 2019 Buick Encore trims and specs »

What Does Buick's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Buick offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles six years old or less and with fewer than 75,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. Qualifying vehicles receive a one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty after the four-year/50,000-mile new-car warranty expires. This warranty includes free maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles, and the original new-car powertrain warranty is extended to six years or 100,000 miles. For models sold in 2020 or newer, Buick changed the new car warranty to three years or 36,000 miles, but the one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty remains the same. Buick CPO models must pass a 172-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available. 

According to our analysis, Buick has one of the better CPO programs among affordable carmakers, although it's surpassed by Kia, Honda and Mini. 

See the best CPO programs »

Extended Warranties for Buick Cars and SUVs

Not every used Buick will qualify for a certified pre-owned warranty. However, there are options available if you want additional coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. 

Read more about extended car warranties »

2019 Buick Encore Safety

Score: 9.1/10

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 Encore an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in the rollover test.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2019 Encore the highest rating of Good in five out of six crash tests. It received the second-highest rating of Acceptable in the passenger-side small overlap front test.

The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Encore received the lowest rating of Basic for the effectiveness of its optional front crash prevention system.

Standard advanced safety features:

• Rearview camera

Available advanced safety features:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Forward collision warning
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane departure warning

2019 Buick Encore Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: 2019 Buick Encore or 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA is a luxury subcompact SUV , and it tends to be more expensive than the Encore. If you’re considering one of the higher trims of the Encore, however, the GLA's lavish interior might strike your fancy. The GLA also has a few more standard driver assistance features than the Buick. That said, the Encore comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are both options in the Mercedes. The Buick also has a higher predicted reliability rating than the Benz. The Encore is a better choice for many shoppers because it provides an upscale cabin and plenty of amenities without breaking the bank.

Which Is Better: 2019 Buick Encore or 2019 Mazda CX-3?

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 offers the best driving dynamics in the class, with its zippy acceleration, sharp steering, and excellent maneuverability. With its refined powertrain, the CX-3 earns better fuel economy estimates than the Encore, and the Mazda typically costs less to buy. On the other hand, the CX-3 doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which come standard in the Buick. If you want superior performance, go with the CX-3. For more cargo space, a roomier cabin, and a better predicted reliability rating, pick the Encore.

Compare the Encore, GLA-Class, and CX-3 »

2019 Encore Performance

How Does the 2019 Buick Encore Drive?

This Buick's base engine is underpowered. The Encore is quick taking off from a stop, but it struggles to provide good passing power at highway speeds, especially with passengers on board. The Encore is available with a stronger version of this engine, but the added horsepower doesn’t make much of a difference. On the plus side, the Encore has agile handling and a quiet, comfortable ride.

• Base engine: 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder
• Available engine: 153-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder
• Drivetrain: standard front-wheel drive; available all-wheel drive
• Transmission: six-speed automatic

Does the 2019 Buick Encore Get Good Gas Mileage?

The Buick Encore gets above-average fuel economy estimates for the class.

• 138-horsepower turbo-four, FWD: 26/31 mpg city/highway
• 153-horsepower turbo-four, FWD: 25/30 mpg
• 138-horsepower turbo-four, AWD: 25/30 mpg
• 153-horsepower turbo-four, AWD: 24/29 mpg

Read more about Encore performance »

2019 Encore Interior

How Many People Does the 2019 Encore Seat?

The 2019 Encore seats five people in two rows. Two adults can fit comfortably in each row, but you'll want to avoid seating three across in the back. Outward visibility is good. The Encore’s upscale cabin is a cut above most in the class, thanks to its great sound insulation and many soft-touch surfaces.

Standard seating features:

• Cloth upholstery

• Flat-folding front passenger seat
• Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather-wrapped, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel

Available seating features:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Driver’s seat memory settings
• Heated steering wheel

How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2019 Buick Encore?

The 2019 Encore has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear outboard seats and an upper tether for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for ease of use, citing some tether anchors that can be confused with other hardware.

2019 Buick Encore Features

The IntelliLink infotainment system is one of the best on the market. It features a tablet-like design with user-friendly menus, and every model comes with handy smartphone connectivity functions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are not standard in some rivals.

• Standard infotainment features: the IntelliLink infotainment system, an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, satellite radio, two USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, OnStar, and Buick Connected Services
• Available infotainment features: navigation, HD Radio, and a seven-speaker Bose stereo
• Additional standard features: proximity keyless entry and push-button start
• Other available features: remote start, a moonroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control

See 2019 Buick Encore specs »

Read more about Encore interior »

2019 Buick Encore Dimensions

Buick Encore Cargo Space

There’s 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 48.4 cubic feet with them folded. Those are typical cargo figures for a subcompact SUV . A split-folding rear seat and a flat-folding front passenger seat are standard.

2019 Buick Encore Length and Weight

• Length: about 14 feet
• Curb weight: 3,237 to 3,358 pounds

Where Was the 2019 Buick Encore Built?

Buick built the 2019 Encore in South Korea.