2019 Buick Encore: Does it Deserve a Standing Ovation?

The 2019 Buick Encore is here. Does it deserve the encore it has as a namesake or is it time for this car to get off the stage? Today we’re digging into the 2019 Buick Encore and dissecting all the ins and outs to help you decide whether it’s worth it. The Buick name has long been synonymous with luxury. Does that legacy continue with this year’s Encore?

2019 Buick Encore Review

Design

The Buick Encore is a slick-looking and solid SUV. And when we say solid, we mean solid: this thing looks like a sturdy vehicle and has a really smooth drive. The interior is made of high-quality materials, making it feel very premium and luxurious. The seats are plush and comfortable, and the cabin is incredibly quiet. You could take a nap during a firework show in this thing.

Okay, that last one is an exaggeration but you get the idea.

Interior Features

It wouldn’t be a modern SUV without ample features in the interior to make you feel like royalty. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, so the car functions as an extension of your smartphone. Controlling your phone with your voice keeps you from driving distracted, which makes things easier (and legal) while you’re driving.

As for other interior features, trim levels can dictate just how much luxury you get with the 2019 Encore. The infotainment screen is big and easy-to-use, but you can get an even bigger one with higher trim levels. The same goes for the seats: the higher trim levels have even more luxurious materials and levels of comfort for the seating.

You can fit five people in the Encore, although the backseat may be a tight fit for three adults. That said, there’s ample headroom, and the interior uses its space well. No one should have cramped knees unless they’re tremendously tall.

For people who love being in control, the driver’s seat is sufficiently high to see the road well. The drive itself is smooth, though not lively. The Encore handles well and drives very smoothly, though it’s not for thrill-seekers. Acceleration and horsepower are not the name of the game here, even at higher trim levels.

Exterior Features

LED lights, well-known for their extreme brightness, are out in full force with the Encore. You’ll be able to see way ahead of you on even the darkest roads while making sure others see you coming. There are a variety of paint colors available from the manufacturer, and they all look sleek and luxurious.

Make no mistake: anyone who sees you driving an Encore will know you’re in a Buick. If you like the classic Buick body style, you’ll love the Encore. It doesn’t swap out the tried-and-true “Buick SUV” look, but it does look modern enough to impress.

Under the Hood

The engine in the Encore is nothing to cheer for. It’s sporting 138 horsepower in a four-cylinder engine standard, which isn’t going to impress anyone. The Sport Touring and Essence trims both have the option for a slightly mightier engine, one sporting 153 horsepower. Well, that’s not turning any heads either.

As for fuel economy, the Encore is an average vehicle. It gets 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, which is ever-so-slightly ahead of the competition. While that’s not going to win any awards, it’s in a car that earns its spot in the Buick lineup in other ways.

Bottom Line

On the upside, the 2019 Buick Encore has a few things going right. There are a lot of standard features, especially in the interior of the vehicle. The infotainment system is very useful and has a much better user interface than some of the competition. That’s not to mention that the interior is luxurious in even the base trim level.

Additionally, the ride is smooth and comfortable, if unexciting. However, most SUV owners aren’t looking for a high-performance vehicle, so this is hard to mark against the vehicle. That said, the underwhelming engine does raise some alarms with the higher-than-average price.

Pricing

The 2019 Buick Encore has a base price of $23,200 for the intro-level trim. That gets you a number of standard features for the interior, as well as that smooth, quiet ride Buick is well-known for. However, it’s also a bit pricier than other cars in this category, meaning you’re paying a bit more for that Buick name.

At the top end of the range, the Essence trim level comes in a hair over $30,000, which puts it firmly in the luxury range for an SUV. If you’re looking for a Buick SUV, the Encore doesn’t disappoint, though it is a little on the pricey side.