When maximum patrons get started trying to find a competent SUV, they normally finally end up taking a look on the identical handful of Eastern fashions. The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have constructed such sturdy reputations over time that quite a few other folks by no means even imagine anything.
In the meantime, one small American SUV has quietly been doing the precise factor patrons need maximum: beginning each and every morning, staying affordable to run, and heading off primary complications. It doesn’t get a lot consideration, however its reliability rankings are sturdy sufficient to position some way more widespread competitors on understand.
The Buick Encore might not be the flashiest SUV at the street, however easy engineering, low possession prices, and a shockingly subtle cabin make it a far smarter purchase than the general public understand.
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The Buick SUV no person takes significantly
Why the Encore quietly outlasts its competitors
Amongst American SUVs, the 2021 Buick Encore is among the quiet standouts for reliability. It’s even scored upper in dependability than some identical compact SUVs from Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai.
The Encore used to be by no means intended to be flashy—it used to be constructed as an inexpensive, easygoing possibility within the subcompact SUV area. In 2021, pricing began round $24,395, with easy trims like the bottom Encore and Encore Most well-liked, whilst the moderately better Encore GX sat simply above it with extra apparatus and trims like Choose and Essence.
J.D. Energy places it forward of each and every small SUV in 2021
In step with J.D. Energy, the 2021 Encore GX rankings a cast 83 out of 100, however the usual Encore is going so much upper at 91 for high quality and reliability.
To place that during context, well known subcompact SUVs just like the Toyota C-HR, Chevrolet Trax, Kia Soul, Subaru Crosstrek, Chevy Trailblazer, and Hyundai Venue all are available decrease. Even the 2021 Honda CR-V sits at 82, which places the Encore very easily forward of numerous the standard “secure bets.”
|
Fashion |
2021 Toyota CH-R |
2021 Chevrolet Trax |
2021 Kia Soul |
2021 Subaru Crosstrek |
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer |
2021 Hyundai Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
J.D. Energy reliability score |
90/100 |
89/100 |
88/100 |
85/100 |
84/100 |
83/100 |
Proprietor opinions again it up too
On Kelley Blue Ebook, about 75 % of householders say they’d counsel the 2021 Encore, in keeping with 229 opinions. It lands at a cast 4 out of five total, which isn’t class-leading, however it’s subsidized by way of an attractive respectable pattern measurement.
Dig somewhat deeper and the rankings keep persistently sturdy: 4.0 for efficiency, 4.1 for worth and reliability, 4.2 for convenience, and four.3 for styling. A number of homeowners additionally record pushing previous 100,000 miles with not anything greater than fundamental upkeep alongside the way in which.
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Why the 2021 Buick Encore punches above its weight
Easy portions, low strain engineering, and a name that outlasts expectancies
Occasionally the most straightforward selection in reality does become the most efficient one, and that’s just about the Encore in a nutshell. It best will get one engine possibility (and the Encore GX makes use of one thing other), protecting issues refreshingly easy.
It’s a small turbo-four that isn’t seeking to be speedy or fancy, however it’s tuned for simple, low-stress using. Right here’s what you’re running with beneath the hood within the 2021 Encore.
- Base Trim Engine
-
1.4L Turbo Inline-4 Fuel
- Base Trim Transmission
-
6-Velocity Automated
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Entrance-Wheel Power
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
155 hp
- Base Trim Torque
-
177 lb-ft @ 2000-4000 rpm
- Gas Financial system
-
24/32 MPG
- Make
-
Buick
- Fashion
-
Encore
- Phase
-
Subcompact Luxurious SUV
Entrance-wheel force used to be usual, although some used Most well-liked trims additionally got here with non-compulsory AWD if you need somewhat extra grip. This isn’t a snappy SUV by way of any stretch, with 0–60 coming in round 9.7 seconds.
However straight-line pace isn’t in reality the purpose right here—that is all about stable, on a regular basis reliability and getting on with the process with out drama.
Easy engineering, fewer long-term complications
A large a part of the 2021 Encore’s reliability comes right down to how conservative the engineering is. By the point this style yr rolled round, many of the primary {hardware} had already been round for years and confirmed throughout more than one GM automobiles.
The 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec inline-four is a part of GM’s long-running LUV engine circle of relatives, utilized in vehicles just like the Chevy Cruze, Sonic, Trax, and previous Encore fashions. That longer term issues right here as a result of numerous the early problems—like oil intake issues, turbo put on, and PCV screw ups—had already been ironed out prior to the 2021 model got here alongside.
Much more importantly, GM didn’t attempt to squeeze giant energy out of a small turbo-four right here. With simply 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, the setup is lovely conservatively tuned in comparison to trendy small engines pushing properly over 200 horsepower.
It makes use of a Garrett MGT turbo, and the entire thing is obviously geared extra towards low-end drivability than efficiency. That implies it’s normally operating at somewhat comfy strain ranges, which is strictly the type of factor that is helping it cling up higher over top mileage.
Then there’s the transmission paired to it. As an alternative of going with a CVT or the more moderen nine-speed auto you’ll in finding within the Encore GX, the 2021 Encore sticks with GM’s Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed computerized.
Through this level, the 6T40 used to be already a well-worn, broadly used gearbox throughout GM’s lineup, with years of updates and quite a few portions enhance at the back of it. It’s now not flashy or specifically fast to shift, however it’s clean at low speeds and avoids the consistent tools looking you get with extra advanced trendy setups.
For an on a regular basis SUV like this, that roughly simplicity is a huge reason why it has a tendency to carry up so properly through the years.
Confirmed GM reliability, no needless complexity
For those who’re after a large touchscreen and a cabin filled with tech, the Encore most certainly isn’t your factor. It used to be constructed prior to compact SUVs began getting overloaded with massive presentations, touch-heavy controls, and layers of driver-assist techniques and force modes.
Even within the upper Most well-liked trim, issues keep lovely easy with analog gauges, bodily local weather knobs, and a simple eight-inch Buick IntelliLink display (seven-inch at the base style). There are nonetheless shortcuts and contact purposes, however it’s a long way from the screen-heavy setups you spot in more moderen SUVs.
Routinely, the Encore follows the similar easy, no-fuss method. It rides on GM’s Gamma II platform, the usage of a MacPherson strut setup up entrance and a torsion beam rear axle on FWD fashions, which leans extra towards sturdiness than sharp dealing with.
Even the AWD variations stay issues somewhat easy, the usage of an electronically managed coupling to herald the rear wheels when wanted as a substitute of a extra advanced torque-vectoring machine. That simplicity is a huge a part of why the Encore nonetheless feels cast nowadays, even in a section filled with extra complex compact SUVs.
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What it’s love to personal a 2021 Buick Encore nowadays
Reasonable to run, simple to are living with, and nonetheless strangely cast years later
Along its sturdy reliability rankings and easy design, the 2021 Encore remains to be an attractive inexpensive small SUV at the used marketplace. In keeping with Kelley Blue Ebook averages, you’re taking a look at round $14,400 for a base style and about $15,000 for the Most well-liked trim.
What makes it stand out somewhat extra is that it feels moderately extra top rate than numerous different budget-friendly compact SUVs from the similar generation. You get such things as thicker acoustic glass, respectable sound insulation, and suspension tuned extra for convenience than sharp dealing with.
For only some hundred bucks further, the Most well-liked trim additionally feels just like the significantly better purchase with its added apparatus. It comes with push-button get started, keyless access, faraway get started, dual-zone local weather keep watch over, and the bigger infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You additionally get a leatherette-and-cloth combine, softer-touch fabrics, and a cabin that avoids the tough plastics you’ll in finding in numerous different entry-level SUVs from the similar generation.
Small measurement, strangely flexible bundle
The 2021 Encore is compact in each and every sense, measuring 168.4 inches lengthy, 70.1 inches broad, and 65.3 inches tall, with a 100.6-inch wheelbase. That makes it sufficiently small to really feel proper at house in tight town streets and parking spots.
Even so, it doesn’t really feel cramped inside of, and there’s nonetheless enough room for passengers to stick relaxed. Right here’s a take a look at the inner dimensions for the 2021 Encore.
|
Headroom |
Shoulder room |
Hip room |
Legroom |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Entrance/rear |
39.6 inches/38.8 inches |
54.2 inches/52.5 inches |
51.7 inches/50.0 inches |
40.8 inches/38.8 inches |
You additionally get 60:40 split-folding rear seats for somewhat extra flexibility when you wish to have more space. With the whole lot up, there’s 18.8 cubic toes of shipment room, which opens as much as 48.4 cubic toes whilst you fold the seats down.
There’s additionally a flat-folding entrance passenger seat, so you’ll slide in longer pieces whilst you in reality wish to.
Low operating prices stay the 2021 Encore simple to are living with
RepairPal estimates the Encore will best value about $466 a yr in upkeep and provides it a cast 4 out of five reliability score. In addition they record simply 0.1 unscheduled upkeep in step with yr on reasonable, in comparison to 0.4 for many different automobiles.
Gas financial system isn’t class-leading, however it holds its personal for a small SUV. Entrance-wheel force fashions go back about 27 mpg mixed (25 town/30 freeway), whilst AWD variations are available at 26 mpg mixed (24 town/29 freeway), with a variety of kind of 370 miles and annual gasoline prices round $2,200 to $2,300.
The 2021 Encore works so properly as it doesn’t you have to be suave or over-engineered. It leans on tried-and-tested GM portions, assists in keeping energy outputs modest, and avoids the type of complexity that has a tendency to reason issues as vehicles grow older.
The entirety about it’s deliberately easy, and whilst it’s now not a thrilling small SUV, it’s the type that simply will get on with the process with none drama. One Kelley Blue Ebook proprietor evaluation just about sums up the entire enjoy.
We purchased ours logo new in 2021. It has, to this date, April 2025, by no means allow us to down whatsoever. Simple to force & Park. Simple on fuel. Seats 4 very easily. Great hatch/trunk house. Great giant backup display.
