Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A black 2021 Buick Encore is parked in front of a mountain lookout at sunset.

2021 Buick Encore: Buying Tips and Things to Keep in Mind

Buick has always been a company well-known for high-quality automobiles that include all of the little details that make for an enjoyable drive. From the 2021 Buick Enclave with its comfort and convenience features tailored to the family driver to the versatile and capable 2021 Buick Envision, Buick has perfected the models that define the modern SUV industry. But its most popular model is the 2021 Buick Encore. This subcompact offers a great mix of different features that make it stand out from the crowd, from efficient engines that increase fuel economy to technology that makes the SUV convenient to drive.

How Safe Is the 2021 Buick Encore?

The 2021 Buick Encore is an extremely safe vehicle and boasts a perfect five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It also offers a variety of advanced driver-assist features that will watch out for you on the road, helping you avoid accidents large and small. Safety in an SUV is an incredibly complex issue, with more variation and variety of safety features being added each year. Therefore, the question of which features to include in your SUV is incredibly important, as different combinations will suit different driving conditions. Luckily, the 2021 Buick Encore offers a very comprehensive system of safety technology.

Of course, the 2021 Buick Encore offers all of the basic technology of the modern automotive industry, like Forward Collision Alert to avoid potential accidents. Most of these features focus on directly stopping accidents, which has been proven to be incredibly effective and is fairly standard on vehicles by now. That said, the 2021 Buick Encore is not like most SUVs in the industry. It also has out-of-the-box additions as well that are rarely seen in other SUVs on the market, like Rainsense automatic wipers. This wiper system helps reduce driver workload by automatically activating the windshield wipers when rain is detected. These kinds of safety technologies are especially useful because they target the root causes of accidents and help keep you safe in more hazardous situations like rainy weather.

A black 2021 Buick Encore is driving past a pond.

What About Performance?

Performance and efficiency are the most defining characteristics of a vehicle and are a rather accurate gauge of quality. In other words, it’s safe to say that an SUV with good fuel mileage and powertrain is going to also be good in other areas. A company that invests in good performance is likely to invest in all features of a vehicle, and Buick has historically been this type of company. While other SUVs may be superior in some areas, the 2021 Buick Encore holds up this legacy with reliable performance and high efficiency. Behind the wheel, you can expect solid power delivery without spending too much money at the gas pump.

As far as overall performance is concerned, the 2021 Buick Encore offers a standard 138 horsepower from its turbocharged EcoTec engine. This may not sound like a lot, but it is more than enough for a lightweight and compact SUV. While not a high-performance vehicle, the Buick Encore is a competitive choice that won’t let you down in any driving scenario. The SUV supplements this solid horsepower figure with good fuel efficiency; the 2021 Buick Encore offers a fuel economy of 27 miles per gallon combined, meaning you’ll be spending less money at the gas pump overall compared to many other SUVs on the market. In the big picture, you’ll love the 2021 Buick Encore if you prefer efficiency over adrenaline-boosting speed, making for a good choice for leisurely and family drivers.

But engine statistics aren’t everything when it comes to performance, and the 2021 Buick Encore offers a list of other features that not only add in addition to its driving experience but enhance it. For example, it includes available all-wheel drive capabilities and StabiliTrak traction control, both of which can heavily increase the vehicle’s rough-terrain and bad-weather performance. If you find yourself driving in snowy and rugged conditions, then the Encore will make it easier and safer. In the end, these are just a few of the possible features in the 2021 Buick Encore, but it is clear that the brand has taken great care when engineering the performance capabilities of its smallest SUV.

How Comfortable Is the 2021 Buick Encore?

The black and white rear seats are shown in a 2021 Buick Encore.

When reviewing comfort in the 2021 Buick Encore, there are a lot of intricate details to look through. While other SUVs show a simple superiority in one feature area like space and high-power air conditioning, the Buick Encore is more like a detailed equation in which each little detail is meant to make up the bigger picture of what a premium SUV should be. After all, your car is not a simple machine dominated by one feature that you like; instead, you buy a vehicle for every little thing that clicks. The 2021 Buick Encore stands out for its sophisticated design in this way, offering a variety of different choices like keyless opening, sound-canceling technology, and a sizable cabin for a small SUV.

The technology found in the 2021 addition is geared in a certain direction for sure. While a lot of SUVs tend to focus on flashy headline features, the 2021 Buick Encore builds an all-around comfortable and convenient package that is more than the sum of its parts. That isn’t to say it doesn’t have the big items like a power moonroof for night drives, but Buick paid just as much attention to the little details, with features like keyless opening and noise-canceling technology. These small touches improve your overall experience and make owning a Buick Encore more convenient and comfortable than owning a non-premium model. Even better, the 2021 Encore only comes in two trims, and both trims come standard with most features. This makes finding the perfect Encore for your needs extremely simple.

It’s hard to say that there is any one-size-fits-all vehicle. But while some drivers enjoy a small vehicle, most people like to have a lot of room to breathe in their vehicle. Of course, sometimes there can be a little bit too much room in an SUV that’s overwhelming, but having space to stretch your feet on long drives and room to fit luggage for overnight trips is always better than having too little space. The 2021 Buick Encore does a good job balancing cabin space with compactness, featuring adaptable folding seating that creates more space without increasing the overall dimensions of the vehicle. This is a very distinct benefit, providing plenty of space for stretching out the aches and pains after a long day’s work yet still giving you the compactness that you need to drive easily through heavy traffic and narrow streets.

What Is the Verdict For the 2021 Buick Encore?

When reviewing the 2021 model year, the 2021 Buick Encore is a well-rounded eye-catcher. The modest, small-size premium SUV offers a sophisticated mix of features that balance comfort, efficiency, and safety. From automatic windshield wipers to adaptable seating, this automotive option has everything you need for a comfortable and practical driving experience. All in all, the 2021 Buick Encore makes for the perfect formula for drivers that love a reliable and easy to drive luxury vehicle.