DecodedCarsBuick Encore
14 model years from 2013 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2013–2026
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Latest engines
- 1.2L 3-cyl turbo, 1.3L 3-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 28–31 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2022)
- Recalls
- 17 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2015 (124)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 4,658 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Encore in brief
The 2026 Buick Encore is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.2L 3-cyl turbo and 1.3L 3-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 171 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,256 lb (Gx 4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (30 city / 31 highway), 1% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
The Buick Encore has 14 model years in our data, from 2013 to 2026.
Its most efficient year was 2021 at 31 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 28 to 31 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (264), electrical system (133), power train (124).
Buying used? 2023 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.
2013 has the most recalls (6); all years together count 17 campaigns and 819 owner complaints.
How the 2013 Encore compares
The 2013 Buick Encore is a small SUV offered with a 1.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 168 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 101-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,254 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
About the Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a subcompact crossover SUV built by General Motors from 2012 to 2022. It is a subcompact crossover SUV marketed by Buick and its fourth SUV overall after the Rendezvous, Rainier, and Enclave.
From the Wikipedia article "Buick Encore", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Encore pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2023 Encore
28 owner complaints · 0 recalls
Year to avoid2015 Encore
124 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 2 fire reports · 6 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Encore changes by model year
- 2025
- New body dimensions: 3.2 in longer, wheelbase +1.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2023
- Engine dropped: 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
- 2020
- Engines added: 1.3L 3-cyl turbo and 1.2L 3-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 28 to 31
- Lightest version 212 lb lighter
- 2019
- Best combined MPG down from 30 to 28
- 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2016
- Best combined MPG up from 28 to 30
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 14 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1.2L 3-cyl turbo, 1.3L 3-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 171.3 in | 3,256 lb | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1.3L 3-cyl turbo, 1.2L 3-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 171.3 in | 3,256 lb | Not rated | 1 | 15 |
| 2024 | 1.3L 3-cyl turbo, 1.2L 3-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | Not rated | 2 | 33 |
| 2023 | 1.2L 3-cyl turbo, 1.3L 3-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | Not rated | 0 | 28 |
| 2022 | 1.2L 3-cyl turbo, 1.3L 3-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 42 |
| 2021 | 1.3L 3-cyl turbo, 1.2L 3-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 62 |
| 2020 | 1.3L 3-cyl turbo, 1.2L 3-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 89 |
| 2019 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 88 |
| 2018 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 74 |
| 2017 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | Not rated | 2 | 90 |
| 2016 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | Not rated | 2 | 80 |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,358 lb | Not rated | 4 | 124 |
| 2014 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,309 lb | Not rated | 4 | 56 |
| 2013 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 168.1 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 6 | 34 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Encore
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Ford Escape | 40 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Jeep Compass | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Buick. How we calculate this →