Is the 2020 Buick Encore the one?
When looking up compact SUVs, the first one to really catch my attention was the 2020 Buick Encore. You see, I wasn’t looking for anything “large and in charge” like some SUV’s tend to be. I was looking for something that had a lot of value in a compact package. The Buick Encore has a luxurious interior, and confident exterior, great mechanics, and wonderful gas mileage. There is a healthy amount of safety options, and a car like the Encore is very versatile.
Nobody wants to buy an ugly car. Nobody wants to stop at the gas station three times a week. Everybody wants one car that does it all. A fuel efficient, powerful yet small SUV may be the vehicle that can check off all of these boxes. Through my research, I believe that the Encore would be a serious contender as a car that everyone could benefit from. To help prove my decision, I am going to list out some of the points that set this car above the competition. Here are some of my thoughts concerning the 2020 Buick Encore.
Enchanting Exterior
The Encore is designed so that when you look at it, you can’t decide if it is large or small. When looking at the body of the car, you are sure that this is a compact car that will fit into tight spots and turn around on narrow roads with ease. When your eyes wander up to the window and peer into the car, you become confused with how comfortable looking it appears when, two seconds ago, you pictured a cramped experience. With a trunk that connects to the cabin, you can expect plenty of storage space on top of throwing the whole family in the car. The car is not too low that your older parents couldn’t hop right in. My overall impression of the Encore’s exterior is that it looks professional with a hint of sporty. That’s a very nice combination to see parked in your driveway.
To personalize the Encore to make it my own, I have the choice between eight different color options. You add a spoiler, you can opt for 18” rims, and you can even add a roof rack and trailer hitch for increased functionality. Even with a focus on comfort and luxury, there is no reason that this car can’t travel down some unpaved roads. Throw your bike on the back, tie the kayaks up top and go on an adventure in the mountains. You can take this car from the camping trip to the city and at no point will the car look out of place.
It’s The Inside That Count
The interior of the Encore is where Buick clearly put a lot of pride and thought into. You have so many features available that you can really make the experience your own. The first interior object that your eye is drawn to is what Buick calls their “Buick Information System”. This is a sharp looking 8” color touch screen that allows you to play music and access navigation software. Once you’ve started moving, you have the option to use your voice to adjust the song or answer a text message. Buick has also created an app that allows you access to an array of various features. From your phone, you can feel free to activate your remote start, unlock your doors, and even check your tire pressure. That’s some pretty useful features tucked away in your pocket.
Now let’s get to some of the non-digital features that you can include in your Encore. Personally, I think that the heated steering wheel and seats are two wonderful luxuries that most people don’t think about. The included dual-zone climate control helps ensure that both up from passengers are comfortable at all times. When you don’t have a full back seat, you can fold down some or all of the seats to allow you to store those extra long items during travel. Thinking of going to a flea market a few towns over? With the Encore you can impulse buy that grandfather clock without a second thought. Storage is a very underrated quality in a vehicle.
Safety was absolutely a priority in the Encores design. With ten airbags standard, you can feel comfortable having loved ones into the car. The Encores of the past have all received five stars (a perfect score) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With a rearview camera included in all models, you can back-up out of the driveway without fear. The family will enjoy the quiet cabin experience on the road, and they will be delighted to learn that the encore comes with WiFi hotspot capability standard. Finally, any driver will be able to find a comfortable seating position thanks to a 6-way power adjusting seat.
What Gets You Going?
All trims of the 2020 Buick Encore are powered by an 1.4L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder engine. This engine is a beautiful mix of efficiency and performance. With an impressive 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, you’ll have no problems getting up and blending in with traffic. The engine, paired with a six-speed transmission, will allow you to get up to speed quickly and cruise at highway speeds comfortably. Buick claims that the engine and transmission combined will get you an average of 25 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. You have the choice between front-wheel drive standard or upgrading to an all-wheel drive model.
What strikes me most about the Encore is its “Power to Weight to Volume Ratio.” The 2020 Buick Encore has pretty much met this golden trifecta. While driving around in an Encore, there will be other SUV’s that are bigger than you, some of them will be faster and some of them may be sleeker. You can take pride in the fact that you made a driver-oriented compromise. You wanted and got the gas mileage, the space, enough power, and all at a very reasonable price.
In Conclusion
The 2020 Buick Encore is a fine choice if I decide that I need a comfortable car that will allow me to travel with the family at an affordable price. The gas mileage really sticks out to me, because this isn’t the type of car that you take to a local campground. I would have no problem hopping in this vehicle and driving across state lines to find a nice secluded camping spot. The great safety rating gives me a lot of piece of mind, and when the price of the base model is less than $23,200, there would be little to regret in making this purchase. There are undoubtedly cheaper cars on the market right now, but why cheap out on something you are going to spend a lot of your life in? There may be nicer cars out there, but I’m not looking for a $1,000 a month loan payment for 72 months. There really is very little to criticize about the Encore and that is just another reason to pick this model. While it might not be the best car for your situation, my small family and I could certainly benefit from an SUV like the 2020 Buick Encore.
