FYI please read the comments. They are really helpful for those of you guys considering purchase. I have learned so much more about the car and options. Please leave comment and like or dislike the ones you agree with. Leave replies this will help others decide.
I did compare it to Suv as well but so many people wanting the LOOK of an suv need to know that there is a huge price to pay on fuel. monthly cost is 50 to 100 a month more for fuel. depending on where you live and how you drive.
Regarding your ladder: why not put the passenger front seat down as well to add to the cargo space? Unless you have a passenger riding as well. I have a Buick Encore awd with leather seats and I love it. It’s affordable and it’s like driving a luxury car. It has so many features I have not discovered them all but you’ve shown me some more today.
I compared the engine specs and they are not the same engines-for example the encore is 138 vs. 153 in the Cruz. If you get the Encore sport model you can get 153. Some Chevy Cruz‘s have a 1.8 L. Without a doubt the cruise you were in was not comparable regarding engine specifications. Also, the all wheel drive encore takes up more power and reduces gas mileage.
I leased this SUV, I had sun roof which I barely used not too bad on gas. I really liked it. To me every car is fast just press the gas pedal. I would recommend this SUV.
I bought this exact vehicle for my wife. Exact year, motor, accessories, color, florida car, starter shut-off exempt...I was really hoping to glean better info from a mechanic, I was one too in my past life. A friend of mine, Tom, has a 2016 and he had me look at the brakes, I told him, after a visual check of the rotors through the wheels, he had about another 20k left. He said, "are you sure, it's got 90k on the speedo". Sure enough, he got 109k out of the factory brakes, automatic, highway, driving,easy foot etc. This is the stuff dreams are made of.
So let me add my 2 cents for what it's worth! I leased my first Encore Preferred in 2015. I am presently 2 tears into my 2nd lease of a 2018. Come 2021, it will be the Encore GX! Reliability of this vehicle matches anything on the market. Never had anything more than a scheduled oil change and tire rotation. Build quality the same. Probably because it's assembled in South Korea. Performance is just fine! If I need to get to 60mph in under 5 secs, I'll opt for a Porsche Panamera Turbo. In my dreams, obviously! The Encore is loaded with features! It's also "quiet"! Buick quiet! That matters to me! It's way more than a Chevy! And the ride is amazing for a vehicle this size! Headroom is cavernous - I'm 6'2"! It's fun to drive, great maneuverability and it uses 87 octane regular gas! A lot of Buick luxury in a mini crossover! Test drive one and you'll understand what I mean!
@@pedrodiaz952 The Encore is way way quiet than the Trax. I test drove them both (back to back) - both brand new comparably equipped models - and the Trax had massively louder engine noise getting up to speed. I bought the Encore because it is amazingly quiet. Active noise cancellation through the speakers, sound dampening glass and more sound dampening materials in the build.
My Dad and I rented one of these a few months ago, same year and color as this one, for what it has, it's worth the money, we put 800 Miles on it within One Week, we used it for Food Deliveries. Features that stood out were Android Auto, SiriusXM, the smooth ride, and all the room it had, usually we rent Small Cars, and that's what we were supposed to get, this was an Upgrade, the Encore was the first GM Product we tried that wasn't a Chevy. I loved it.
Just got my wife a 2020 Sport Touring model. Excellent handling, great feedback in the steering, corners flat and smooth quiet ride. I can't find any information if the Sport Touring option has any different suspension tuning or steering programming, but it has a very sporty handling package. Adequate power to 80mph. Only have 250 miles on it, so haven't driven it very hard; still letting break in a little. Can't really compare it to the Cruze just because they share a similar engine and transmission! Chevy Cruze is 300# lighter, built on an entirely different platform and is tuned to take advantage of that. The drivetrain is similar. I have a Cruze at work and it is a totally different driving vehicle. BTW, I am an ASE Certified Master Auto Technician with Advanced Tuning L1 certification and have been for 38 years. I also participate in SCCA Solo autocross, so I have a pretty good idea of what a good handling vehicle is. There are other subcompact SUV's with more power, maybe better mileage or storage configuration, but the Encore ranks third by Car and Driver behind the Soul and Kona, but is the best looking, comfortable, quietest one of the bunch!
I enjoyed your video and your opinion also! I have a 2019 Buick Encore and I have had it about two years! When I got this it was the very last vehicle I drove! I drove the Nissan Rogue and it felt like a very cheap vehicle and you could feel every little bumb and rocks you drove over! I have a Nissan Murano also and it's a great vehicle! Anyway I drove the Nissan Kick and it had nice features for a small SUV however I am 6'3" 250# and it was too small! I didn't even consider a Cruz since I travel with guitar equipment! After a week of driving different vehicles I saw this Buick Encore and I figured it might be out of my price range since I was going to pay cash which I found out that Car Dealers do not treat you nicely if you pay cash! Thats another story! Anyway my daughter and I set inside the Buick Encore and didn't plan on driving it, it felt so comfortable compared to what I had test drove, my daughter said wow this is really nice so we took it for a drive! I hit a couple bumps on purpose to see how it felt and my God I did't feel any of them! The shocking system was better than my Nisson Murano! I decided to buy it and now after two years it gets around 34 miles to the gallon on the highway and around 24 miles to the gallon driving in town which is not that good! If you set and Idle for a long time the gas mileage is terrible like my Nissan Murano! It does what I need it for to carry a couple guitars, and a guitar amp! Thank You
Bought a '17 Encore preferred month ago. Mainly got it for the higher seats instead of civic I traded in..have bad knees and getting in and out of Encore is very nice..great ride.
@@mikesrandomvideos understandable, and yes the gas isn't as good as the Cruz. But if I wanted the gas milage to be Paramount I would have bought...a Cruz. End of the day for the money I get a amazing amount of storage, a great interior, a ample amount of tech, and with the 1.4T although it's not a powerhouse, an acceptable amount of mpgs and power. As the first "crossover" I've ever purchased, and the second Buick I've owned, I have few complaints.
I have a 2019 Buick Encore and I get 31 MPG during the warmer months and then during the winter I get about 29 mpg. I don't leave my car running when sitting more that 10-20 minutes unless I stuck in traffic. I use 89 gasoline due to I don't like the engine knock I get with 87. My car doesn't have the auto start/stop.
That has the optional 1.4L engine with 153hp not the standard 1.4L with 138hp. We drove with a fully loaded and full roof rack Encore from Seattle to Ottawa, Canada about 3150 miles over 10 days and averaged 38 MPG. We have a 2017 with the standard 138hp engine and it was fine going up the mountains from Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Btw the Encore is not in the same size category as the Rogue.
I have a 19 sport touring with the higher horsepower turbo... bought it as a work car... I do home health... gas mileage... 23-25.. mostly city... I drive it hard... had a Fiat 500c manual before this so I took a hit on mileage... not worried... get better mileage in my 19 Dodge Challenger sxt... but that’s my weekend car... so far I love it.... quiet, handling great for an suv, and the tech is great... put nearly 20k in eight months... great everyday car for darting through city traffic or parking in the city. If you can only get one car and you want a do it all, but don’t have to carry around little crap factories or unruly back seat passengers it’s awesome.
All Encores have a Turbo 1.4 - Here is the primary difference in engines. There are two versions. The better one is direct injection (SIDI vs the MPI - sequential multi-port) on the base Turbo 1.4) and other tweaks that bump HP to 153 hp @5600 rpm w/177 lb-ft of torque @ 2000 - 4000 rpm vs. 138 hp @ 4900 - 6000 rpm w/148 lb-ft of torque @ 1850 - 4900 rpm - its doesn't sound like much, but at the low end of power for modern cars, and extra 30 lbs. feet of torque is THE WORLD, lol! It gets better fuel mileage that an 04 Cadillac? You don't say! LOLOL. Glad you like it. We get almost universally good or decent reviews
That explains it thanks for the clarification. I didn have time then to research it before I did the review because we did nothing but work and drive for a 2 weeks.
WOW that totally clears that up I thought I was going crazy why there was so much difference in power on a similar weight car. with same displacement engine. Just got a glance under the hood and looked at the under hood label and they looked similar. but the intake was different
I bought a Chevy Cruze in 2012 it was nice started to have problems at the end I just recently bought a 2015 Buick Encore I wanted a SUV because I never had one my beard is beautiful it has all the bells and whistles I love it fully loaded with everything you can get you have 45000 miles I've got lots of compliments on it everyone says it looks better than the cruise I had I hope it will last I've never had a luxury vehicle even though it's a 2015 people thinks it's an 18
I have a 2019 buick encore and I love it, I average between 29.5 mpg and 31.5 mpg depends on how big of a hurry I am in, I bought it instead of a "car" because it sits a little higher, I live on a dirt road in northern michigan and we get some pretty deep snow drifts in the winter, it handles the snow good, I only had to drive my truck to work 3 or 4 times last winter, I drive over 100 miles a day just to work and back so driving a full size truck in bidens economy is not gonna happen
Aftery.2017 Volvo S60 was totalled from a hit and run five months ago I went with a 2018 Buick encore due to the cheap maintenance compared to the Volvo. Surprisingly I'm happier than I thought I would be with this car. It's identical on every way down to the color as the video one except the year. Your pros and cons are the same as mine. It gets great gas mileage for one. City wise here in Tampa i get 23-25 but highway average is 30-35. Except one time and if I could post the pic here I would but did get 44.2 mpg highway. Granted the ac wasn't on and was going 60 on cc. But the worst part for me is the engine power. Obviously night and day compared to my 17 S60 t5 but it's hard to get up to speed on the interstate. One thing I wish this car was able to do like my Volvo which I'm sure is just OnStar wanting to make money is my Volvo didn't have remote start on the fob but I could from the on call app. OnStar, nope. If it's not on the fob then it will need to be added after market. One thing Buick should have done standard for aesthetics in my opinion is to put all led bulbs in the head and tail lights. I've replaced all with led bulbs that weren't already. Led with the brow accent looks great and the slim reverse light in white led looks great too. Honestly didn't think I would he as happy as I am with this car but I can live with my cons since I don't have to pay the maint costs that I did on my Volvo S60. One tire and the rear break pads and rotors cost me 2k to replace.
I bought a new one back in 2017. First time I bought a brand new vehicle. I am still driving it until now closing to 100,000 miles. Just spent this year close to a couple thousand dollars for a new set of tires (4 of them) and for a new rear brakes and rotors. Other than that, everything is great. I have no monthly car payment as it is paid for. No complain. I am hoping to keep this vehicle until it reaches 350,000 miles. Wish me luck. Haha.
I'm looking at buying a Encore for my 16 year old daughter. No vehicle is perfect. Of all the reviews I have read and watched, Encore is a solid vehicle
I get 31 to 32 mpg at 52k miles on same vehicle. At 40k miles I had to replace the air conditioner. Right now at 52k it is either my battery or alternator.
I am in the market for a pre-owned vehicle and I have ave added both the Cruze and the Encore (with the DI Ecotec) to my short-list. Your assessment of the Cruze is spot on: the car accelerates well and handles deftly. It is a very satisfying car to drive that is efficient to boot. But I wish GM had given more attention to the control stalks because their hollow feel and brittle action strike a jarring note. I normally tune my cars for enhanced performance but I feel the Cruze is fine as it is. I haven't driven an Encore for quite some time but I recall the hushed powertrain and the lack of sufficient support provided by the driver's armrest. Otherwise an impressive machine.
no doubt just wish the mileage was the same then it would be a super winner. Not a bad car though much better than the Nissan to drive and better than the fords IMO.
Bought one for my wife and I took her Cruze ,your right big difference in power, however after changing out the air filter to K&N I noticed a big difference ,not quick as Cruze but much better ,Cruze has K&N too . First thing I do is convert and never buy another air filter. That's wierd I have a 1.4 ecotec and it doesn't look like that engine in same year encore ,it looks similar to my 2016 1.4 ecotec in my chevy cruze. I also went online and checked the oil filler is on left side of engine not right
I just got a 2017 Sport. It can easily break loose the tires. I think you are right the computer in the sport makes it have 158 Horse Power 20 more Horse Power it makes a huge difference. Same engine exactly I think.
I actually own this same car, i did drive the cruise first, thought it wasn't as luxury as the Buick, I wish I had bought a Turbo, the car is a little sluggish at times but I run the A/C full blast 90 percent so It's hard on a small engine, The issues he doesn't like isn;t important to me. Overall I've happy I bought it. Gets a whole lot better mileage than my 2004 Cadillac Cts. (which was a great car). I agree Ford isn't good, I wish he didn't repeat himself so much thou.
thanks I made this when I was super tired. Driving every day 300 to 400 miles then also working physical work. hard for the old brain to work thanks for watching and love the comment. good car IMO just a little small in the back for what I was doing. Love the leather seats. Like my silverado kind of.
All Encores have a Turbo 1.4 - There are two versions. The better one is direct injection (SIDI vs the MPI - sequential multi-port) on the base Turbo 1.4) and other tweaks that bump HP to 153 hp @5600 rpm w/177 lb-ft of torque @ 2000 - 4000 rpm vs. 138 hp @ 4900 - 6000 rpm w/148 lb-ft of torque @ 1850 - 4900 rpm - its doesn't sound like much, but at the low end of power for modern cars, and extra 30 lbs. feet of torque is THE WORLD, lol! It gets better fuel mileage that an 04 Cadillac? You don't say! LOLOL. Glad you like it. We get almost universally good or decent reviews
Why do you keep mentioning the Cruze? This car platform is NOT based on the Cruze and in fact has little or nothing in common with it. The engine in the Cruse is the Direct Injection version and the transmission is different. This "SUV" (Tall Car) is based on the Chevy Spark. Its also not a Chevy OR a Buick, but in fact an Opel Mokka - sold all over Europe. The Mokka is identical except for Badging, but interestingly while the Encore is NOT rated for towing (or wasn't for the first phase cars 2013-16) the Mokka IS rated for towing (not very much payload, and I can't quote the weight off the top of my head) I see they lowered the price of the stronger 1.4 DI engine to $250 upgrade on all trim levels. Again make me wonder why? Why sell 2 1.4 liter engines instead of one for a lower price (because you don't have to accomodate 2 engines, it saves GMC BIG money. This is why (one reason of many) they keep closing plants and discontinuing cars. Not bad cars. Bad Decisions and once again TOP HEAVY MANAGEMENT. They never learn from the last time they went bankrupt. GM sucks. Not the cars. The company. and some of the cars. lol
I have a 2019 Encore with the 1.4 138hp engine and it looks quite different than the one shown in the video, which must be the optional 1.4 engine with more hp.
Yes. Wish I had that more Hp 153 versus 138 Hp, 177 Tq versus 148 Tq. In my 2017 Turbo RS SONIC. Though that factory shiny piping looks cheap like tinfoil wrapping and plastic ties. Wonder if that version was around for them to put in the last generation Sonic 2017-2019.
I appreciate the review, but if you are going to compare vehicles it should be SUV to SUV. Constantly comparing it to the Chevy Cruz was more annoying than helpful. Obviously, a car vs. an SUV with basically the same engine is definitely going to get better mileage and have better get up and go. That being said, good job on the pros and cons of this vehicle.
Ditto Hector, if more people did their investigations they would realize the Encore engine is smaller than a Harley-Davidson engine used to be. What do they expect for economy/performance?
Those low cars like the Cruze make my head bang up against the roof at times and restrict my view out the windshield because I have to duck my head. I have short legs and a long body therefore I sit up high. I'm only 5' 11" and I loathe those lie on the ground cars. I'm always trying to sit up in the seat and I keep sliding back down on my tailbone. Its like lying on the floor at the dinner table or a restaurant. Why is there a culture that thinks we want to sit that way in driving? I'm not in Formula 1.
While looking at cars a little over a year ago I checked out an Encore but didn't test drive it; wound up buying a 2019 Equinox but now regret not testing the Encore. I think I would have liked the smaller size of the Encore.
2019 Buick Encore curb weight is avg 3200 lbs and Chevy Cruze is 2500 lbs, that's 800 lbs more of sound dampening foam and steel that the engine has to move. This is why it doesn't accelerate fast.
Rented in FL but yea GA plates. Drove through FL GA AL TN NC SC. in a big huge loop city to city. It was tight but not the same as the cruze when I drove it.
Dallas ga....wife wants 1 of these , nit a cruze, not a rogue, just grocery getter that is,alittle taller than a car. .she is 5 foot tall so i thibk she will be fine.
I have this suv with a heated steering wheel heated seats good interior a little small in the backseats decent trunk size a lot of features I’m just figuring out it had lol first car still feeling it out only bad thing is engine power
I bought a 2014 Encore. It's been at the dealer about 5 or 6 times all with squirrely things wrong and fortunately they were covered under the bumper to bumper warranty and this was at < 45k mi. Now at 51K mi. the water heater exit pump was cracked and leaking. $500 to fix, not under warranty thank you very much. I've always held the opinion Bucks were quality cars. But not anymore. Agree on the sluggishness. I'm tired of that. I drove Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans for too many years and GM just can't match their reliability. But being fair, the cabin is quiet and that's the reason I bought it. And I like the fact that I don't have to do gymnastics to get into it, I just slide in from my standing position. At 70, that's a big plus.
This is a great car review, uniquely informative and authentic. Unlike other car reviewers your expertise as a former highly qualified car mechanic allows you talk about and compare the build quality and functionality of the wheels you are reviewing based on both personal and professional preference and experience. I hope you will do more reviews like this, of the current model-year rentals you are driving on long cross country trips for your current job. I learned a lot from this one.
Your observation about the 6-spd auto cutting throttle when changing gears in the Encore is interesting because my former 2018 Hyundai Elantra 6-spd auto did the exact same thing. I wonder if they are the same transmission? In gentle and moderate acceleration it almost felt like an automated manual. Only in hard acceleration did it feel like a normal auto with snappy shifts.
I have a 19 Buick Encore perferred. It does 29-30 mileage to the gallon in town n I had it for a week I don’t have any problems with it n my mom has a 15 Nissan Rogue it drives really great n never had a problem with it either
Have you driven a Mazda CX-5? That is my higher ticket item on my short list along with this Buick Encore. I really, really, REALLY wanted the Mazda because of the standard safety features, well built engine, and overall sleekness/luxury interior even with base model, but the Encore is more affordable at a higher trim. I'm cross, but cost is quite important to me.
I’ve seen these on the road , we have a 19 Traverse and equinox. ( I miss my vw rabbit ). Not a fan at all with the trax, but the Buick is sleek. Still wouldn’t get one , but between the two , the Buick is sleek.
The auto stop on mine must have been deactivated. My 2018 has 70k & drives great. If it's on cruze control & you quickley press up the accelerator button it takes off
Heavier and wider wheels and tires could be or the tires on the Cruze we starting to dry out from the Georgia heat. You have a M in the VIN so it is the higher output 1 4l SIDI with start-stop.
good info big difference in power not sure where it went. Also way better MPG on the cruze. THe buick is great but if you dont need the height it would pay off to get the cruze.
Sounds like I am being sold a Chevy cruz. We are going for the buick to get higher off the ground and different storage. Glad to know youd go with the cruz.
yea for sure in places you need the ride height like snow and storage the buick is great. Just pitching the cruze because some people dont need that and just want the look. Cost a bit more in gas though. So for people who dont NEED the stuff this car has can benefit from the cruze. just saying
@@mikesrandomvideos oh your good brother. I was just being a cynic. We went with a buick because we know a couple of people with the cruz. We just got the 2020 Encore Essence with Saddle brown and a sunroof for 20k out the door from 32,158. We looked at a cruz for fun and the lowest I could get them was 22489. Glad to have the extra money in our pocket. I am 6'4 and interior is big enough for me to ride with my wife... she hasnt let me drive yet to feel how it handles. I am sure I will notice the engine difference coming for my V8 5.7 Hemi to this bebop vehicle.
We are very seriously considering one of these. The interesting thing is that I have NEVER seen one on the road. We live in Sacramento. Ca Valley. Not sure why there aren't any here
@@brandtman05.. yea I really like the comfort of the car. seats were great. power was a little on the light side but it got around just fine. IMO not a bad American car.
Yes. Wish I had that more Hp 153 versus 138 Hp, 177 Tq versus 148 Tq. In my 2017 Turbo RS SONIC. Though that factory shiny piping looks cheap like tinfoil wrapping and plastic ties. Wonder if that version was around for them to put in the last generation Sonic 2017-2019.
Great "real world" review, Thanx! Maybe one question: I'm a bit fussy about sound insulation, and a smooth ride, and they advertised this silent tuning technology, noise cancelling... about the car. Is it effective, or just a marketing gimmick? Once again, thanks !
well I thought it was quiet compared to other cars. Especially the rogue was much more clunky. Felt very tight. but then again so did the camry, cruze, focus, and others I rented in the last year. The rogue not so much.
@Wayne great driving suv. I thought just a little low on the power side but not too much. the 150 must be what is in the cruze I drove which explains some things.
Ugh CVT transmission- I have that in my jeep patriot - I’m test driving the Buick encore The Chevy trax tomorrow ... idk which one I want yet My jeep I love .. has a rotted frame .. it’s officially done
@@mikesrandomvideos yeah I think I’m narrowing in on my decision to go with the Chevy trax LT its got lots of the same things the Buick has and some things my Jeep has too like the electrical outlets ❤️😀 and cruise control Thanks for this video by the way very informative
Hi, Great review !! thank you. I'm in need of a vehicle and I'm considering the Encore. Of course, price is the main issue. It seems to have a few downsides' but for the price, the car looks like it could be a good value. I was wondering do the rear seats fold down to make the cargo area larger? Also, the manufacturer is a company that has a pretty good reputation' I believe.
i have a 17 buick encore same color in the video and my transmission been slipping and it locked up on me recently and i only had it for 2 months 🤦🏽♂️
Get that thing fixed! Mine is 10 months old. Gets low 30's in town, 36 + highway. If I drive in manual mode, I get slightly better mileage, no cruise control when highway driving. Again, something is wrong with that one!
We have a 2016 Encore AWD (original body shape) with 45,000 miles, and it has been very reliable so far, but the gas mileage is mediocre. The engine light just came on last week (not blinking), and the tail light just went out. It still drives perfectly with the engine light on though. Do you think this is something minor, major, or just the engine light malfunctioning? We don't have 'auto stop'.... can't stand it!
Go to a local AutoZone/O Reilleys and they will do a diagnostic test for free. They plug in a device that tells you why the service engine light is on.
@@katieh40077 Thanks for the info. We did that, and the codes came up for a possible catalytic converter issue, but we also heard that there are many 'false alarms' with this code. We brought it in to the Buick dealership 5 days ago. They have had the car for that long thus far, and they only called back once, telling us "were working on the problem, as soon as we find what it is"! Frustrating, to say the least. Because the car is still under warranty, they are taking their time with us it seems.
Wish I watched this before I agreed on my rental. I wanted a mid size car and got this. I have a hyundai sonata and I'm used to hitting the gas and going. This thing accelerates at the speed of a hot air balloon. I don't enjoy the break response either. About to drive from NC to Chicago and it's gonna suck.
So, when you say you let the car idle for many minutes/hours at a time, did the motor sit there and turn off and back on over and over? Thanks for the review.
Even my 2003 Corolla has auto headlights. What car doesn't have AH? Gets 34 MPG; AT. and 1.8 liter engine. Love it. MPG? Even my Impala V6 gets 25 MPG average. Good review for a Nissan Rogue or Chevy Cruze. Sounds like the Encore is a bummer.
most of the cars I have rented in the last few years which I rent lots of cars they dont have auto headlights. Only GM recently. I rented a Camry no auto headlights last year.
