2013 was an exceptional year for Buick->ke17. GM->ke1024's mid-level luxury->ke505 brand sold a little over one million vehicles, posting a 15-percent increase over the previous year and its best annual figures yet (the previous record goes back to 1984). It's true that about 80 percent of deliveries reached the Chinese market -- only 222,138 units were sold to North American customers -- but Buick's uptrend is a reality that even the most fiery naysayers can't deny.

With only five nameplates on the table, the brand's performance is even more impressive. The key ingredients to Buick's successful recipe for 2013 were its crossovers, the Encore and the Enclave. The ever-growing compact SUV->ke145 segment and China's appetite for foreign luxury helped pave the way for both vehicles, but especially for the Encore.

The Opel->ke65 Mokka-based crossover's sales surpassed all prediction in its first full year on the market, with nearly 100,000 examples making their way into people's driveways. Sure, it's nowhere near the BMW X1->ke2474's 150,000+ figure, but the Encore is proof enough that Buick's struggle has finally come to an end.

Having been shipped to showrooms beginning the first quarter of 2013, the subcompact SUV is as fresh as it gets. Naturally, Buick's updates for 2014 aren't abundant, but the Encore continues into a new year with a few new safety and convenience features.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014-2016 Buick Encore.

2014 - 2016 Buick Encore

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 - 2016 Buick Encore
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 138 @ 4900
  • Torque: 148 @ 1850
  • Transmission: HydraMatic 6T40 6-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Exterior-wise, the Buick Encore hasn't changed a bit for the 2014 model year. This means buyers will be getting the same sculptural design the brand has been embracing for a couple of years now. Nothing wrong with that, because the Encore features a sleek body that makes the BMW X1 look quite boxy. Granted, this vehicle stands out in a crowd of small crossovers, but a couple of new wheel sets, for instance, would have been nice.

The vehicle can be ordered in the same eight exterior colors that come with two lower accent colors. Five are available with a lower Dark Argent Metallic hue, while three are paired to a Satin Nickel Metallic accent.

For 2014, the Encore can be fitted with new hitch-mounted accessories, which are up for grabs at any dealership along with the familiar roof rack cross rails and roof-mounted carriers.

Wheelbase (in / mm):

100.6 / 2555

Overall length (in / mm):

168.4 / 4277

Overall width (in / mm):

69.9 / 1775

Overall height (in / mm):

65.2 / 1656

Track (in / mm):

front: 60.6 / 1539
rear: 60.6 / 1539

Curb weight (lb / kg):

FWD: 3190 / 1447
AWD: 3309 / 1501

Minimum ground clearance (in. / mm):

front: 6.2 / 157
rear: 6.2 / 157


2014 Buick Encore - Standard Exterior Features

- 18" all-season, blackwall tires

- Acoustic laminated glass

- Body-color door handles with Chrome strip

- Compact spare tire

- Daytime Running Lamps

- Glass, deep-tinted

- Headlamps, halogen projector beam

- Outside heated power-adjustable, body-color mirrors with turn signal indicators

- Roof-mounted luggage rack side rails

- Solar-absorbing windshield

- Wiper, rear intermittent

- Wipers, front intermittent with pulse washers

New for 2016

- Three new exterior colors: River Rock Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic and Summit White

- Revised 18-inch, seven-spoke “Ultra-Bright” wheel finish

Interior

The only important changes to the 2014 Encore are noticeable in the cabin, but don't expect to find visual updates. Two new safety features are in place to help the driver, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert, while Siri Eyes Free and text message support add to the vehicle's comprehensive list of techy amenities.

Compatible with iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and Android phones, Siri Eyes Free enables drivers to access Siri via the steering wheel controls to place calls, have their text messages read or call up music.

The lack of extensive updates doesn't diminish the Encore's premium feel, even if the base model misses a full leather seat treatment. Ambient cabin lighting is still provided by blue LEDs, with bright chrome and wood-grain trim adorning the dashboard and the instrument panel.

The latter incorporates a full-color, seven-inch LCD display for the voice-activated IntelliLink radio system and numerous switches, knobs and buttons. It's a bit crowded if you ask me, but it shouldn't be a problem if you like keeping them fingers busy.

Lastly, the 2014 model inherits Buick's QuietTuning with active noise cancellation technology, a feature that's very efficient in blocking sounds from entering the cabin and the Encore's main upper hand over its segment rivals.

Seating capacity (front / rear):

2 / 3

Headroom (in / mm):

front: 39.6 / 1006
rear: 38.8 / 985

Legroom (in / mm):

front: 40.8 / 1037
rear: 35.7 / 907

Shoulder room (in / mm):

front: 54.1 / 1374
rear: 52.5 / 1334

Hip room (in / mm):

front: 51.7 / 1313
rear: 50.1 / 1273

Passenger volume (cu ft / L):

92.8 / 2628

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):

18.8 / 532.4 (behind rear seat)
48.4 / 1371 (rear seat folded)


2014 Buick Encore - Standard Exterior Features

- 2-way manual front passenger seat adjuster

- 6-speaker audio system

- 6-way power driver seat adjuster

- Air conditioning, single-zone manual

- Air filter, particle

- Antenna, roof-mounted

- Bluetooth® for phone and music

- Cargo storage, under rear floor

- Child restraint provisions

- Cruise control, electronic

- Defogger, rear-window electric

- Door locks, child security, rear, electrical

- Door locks, power

- Driver Information Center

- Flat-folding front passenger seatback

- Floor mats, color-keyed and carpeted front and rear

New for 2016

- OnStar with 4G LTE and standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot

-

Drivetrain

Hiding under the 2014 Encore's hood is a turbocharged 1.4-liter Ecotec engine that generates 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Sounds familiar? It should, because it's the one and only unit the crossover was launched with more than a year ago.

Connected to a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission, the plant returns 28 miles per gallon combined with a front-wheel drive configuration, placing the Encore just above the 2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i. On the other hand, the X1's four-pot is far more potent with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque at its disposal.

2014 Buick Encore - Drivetrain Specifications

Type

1.4L turbocharged DOHC I-4

Displacement (cu. in. / cc):

83.2 / 1364

Bore and stroke (in. / mm):

2.85 x 3.25 / 72.5 x 82.6

Block material:

cast iron

Cylinder head material:

cast aluminum

Valvetrain:

dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, double continuously cam phaser intake and exhaust (DCVCP)

Ignition system:

coil on plug

Fuel delivery:

sequential multi-port fuel injection with electronic throttle control

Compression ratio:

9.5:1

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):

138 / 103 @ 4900 (SAE certified)

Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm):

148 / 200 @ 1850 (SAE certified)

Recommended fuel:

regular unleaded

Max engine speed (rpm):

6500

Transmission

HydraMatic 6T40 6-speed automatic


Prices

Priced between $25,000 and $33,000, the 2014 Buick Encore is cheaper than the BMW X1 and will benefit from the same advantage once the 2015 Audi Q3 crosses the pond. However, it fetches nearly $3,000 more than the Mini Countryman->ke3615 it is being compared to by Buick.

Judging by its numerous standard features, the Encore seems like a good choice in today's market, even when selected in its base trim.

Model

Price

Buick Encore FWD

$25,085

Buick Encore AWD

$26,585

Buick Encore Convenience Group FWD

$26,710

Buick Encore Convenience Group AWD

$28,210

Buick Encore Leather Group FWD

$28,410

Buick Encore Leather Group AWD

$29,910

Buick Encore Premium Group FWD

$29,890

Buick Encore Premium Group AWD

$31,390


Competition

2014 BMW X1

Munich's smallest crossover is offered in three trim levels and with a choice of two engines. Both units are larger than Buick's tiny 1.4-liter and deliver more horsepower. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder comes with 240 horsepower, while the more impressive 3.0-liter inline-six is rated at 300 horsepower. More oomph means a higher sticker prices - the former starts at $30,900 and the latter beings from $38,800.

The BMW X1 is obviously not just about power figures. Updates include a slight facelift that makes it more attractive and sportier than the previous model. Additionally, the crossover comes with even more features, including the new ConnectedDrive service.

On the fuel efficiency front, the X1 28i is just a couple of mpgs below the 2014 Encore, but fares extremely well when its 240 horsepower are taken into consideration. Who wouldn't spare one or two miles per gallon for an extra 62 horses? Not to mention that the X1 is available in an M Sport trim that can't matched by Buick.

Read our review here.

2015 Audi Q3

Inspired by the Cross Coupe quattro Concept, the 2015 Audi Q3 wears the company's distinctive Singleframe grille and narrow headlamps. In short, it's a smaller Q5 and another piece in Audi->ke14's boring design puzzle. The cabin, on the other hand, makes a great case for the Q3.

It's both roomy and comfortable and offers an array of standard premium features, including heated power seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and white LED ambient lighting coming from every corner.

The 2015 Audi Q3 will begin its American adventure with only one engine under the hood. We're talking about a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that churns 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Naught to 60 mph is to be achieved in less than seven seconds, with top speed set at around 145 mph. A six-speed Tiptronic transmission will be in charge with sending all that power to the wheels. Of course, Q3 customers will be able to opt for a quattro all-wheel drive system.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the crossover is expected to start from $31-32,000.

Read our review here.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Set to hit US dealerships this fall, the 2015 GLA-Class is rather unique in appearance thanks to its swoopy CLA-inspired lines and muscular body. Bolted on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase as the CLA, the crossover also gained the sedan's interior and all the pricey options that come with it, including leather seats, a seven-inch multimedia display and driving-assist technologies.

Motivation will be provided by 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque coming from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The optional 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system will also add Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) and an off-road mode to the GLA, which, in this configuration, will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 145 mph.

Prices are still a mystery, but the entry-level GLA should wear a $31,000 sticker, with a fully-equipped model to fetch at least $38,000.

Read our review here.

2014 Mini Cooper Countryman

The other three competitors are more suited to do battle with the top-line trims of the Encore, but the Mini Cooper Countryman is a better suited apples-to-apples competitor. The Countryman kicks off at $22,895, which is about $2k cheaper than the Encore, and peaks at $35,745 in the John Cooper Works model.

The 1.6-liter four-pot under the Countryman's hood produces 121 horsepower in its base format, 181 horsepower in the S and S ALL4 models, and 208 ponies in the JCW garb. Respectively, theses models and sprint to 60 mpg in 9.8 seconds, 7 seconds, 7.3 seconds and a redonkulous 6.6 ticks.

From the looks of things, the Encore is really best suited to do battle with the base Cooper Countryman, given the power output other three Mini variants. Maybe one day Buick will add some power to the Encore, but that day will not come in 2014.

Read our review here.

Conclusion

The 2014 Encore is the obvious choice if you're looking for a small SUV that has a welcoming and quiet cabin and plenty of safety and convenience features for the buck. However, once you sign up for this model you must be aware that the encore is a little slow compared with its German rivals. If money is no object, you might as well go with a 200+ horsepower import.