2020 Buick Encore

Buick’s line of two- and three-row SUVs are worth considering for shoppers looking for a nicer interior than in a Chevrolet or Ford without the luxury prices of a Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus, or Acura. Options within Buick’s lineup start with the Envista, which is unusually sized between a large sedan and a subcompact SUV. The largest options include the three-row Enclave. Some of Buick’s models have earned Consumer Reports recommendations for having intuitive infotainment systems and quiet, pleasant interiors. Among U.S. car companies, Buick also ranks high in our new car reliability ratings. Some recent models also made our lists of recommended used cars.

The subcompact Encore near-luxury SUV bowed for 2013, on a platform derived from the small Chevrolet Sonic. The Encore boasts a quiet cabin, great maneuverability, and a better ride than many larger and higher-scoring SUVs. The little 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder and six-speed automatic deliver anemic acceleration however, and fuel economy is disappointing for a vehicle of this size. Handling is sound, though unexceptional. The cabin is reasonably well appointed, but feels narrow and cramped. The swoopy styling intrudes on the view in the rear. A revised interior came for 2017, as well as a larger screen for the infotainment system which also got Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Updates for 2022 include more power, increasing from 138 hp to 155 hp, for the 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. It's the final year for the Encore.