2021 Buick Encore

Luxury Features

While the 2021 Buick Encore only offers two trim levels, it doesn't reserve its best standard or infotainment features for its more expensive trim, the Encore Preferred. Cruise control, keyless entry, a 6-way power driver's seat, and more all come standard on the base trim of the Encore. In cars from other manufacturers, you'd have to opt for the higher trim levels to get similar (or often far less impressive) features. This is just one of the many ways that Buick has earned its reputation for luxury.

Among the features that you can expect from a Buick that is not available from lesser brands is QuietTuning. This encompasses a variety of technologies and construction techniques designed to keep the cabin quiet so you can enjoy relaxed conversation or quiet music. QuietTuning includes, but is not limited to, features such as triple door seals and acoustic laminated glass in the front and side windows.

Despite its low price point, the 2021 Buick Encore offers the same luxurious cabin you'd expect from such a respectable, high-end brand. The cloth and faux leather seats (which are easier to clean than genuine leather) are plush and comfortable, and its interior is surprisingly spacious considering the exterior's compact and streamlined appearance.

Size and Space

The 2021 Buick Encore's exterior is around 168 inches long and 70 inches wide with a height of 65 inches and a wheelbase of 100 inches, making it smaller than many other subcompact SUVs. If you regularly navigate tight corners and cramped parking spaces, the Encore handles both with finesse. Its sleek, elegant lines and stylish grille have a commanding appearance without feeling too aggressive.  

However, its compact exterior conceals a surprisingly large interior. Inside, you'll find 19 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and that goes up to 49 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. You can also fold down the front passenger seat as well for even more space if you need to transport longer items like golf clubs or furniture. Best of all, the Encore seats up to five passengers comfortably, so your entire family (or a group of your closest friends) can all enjoy its smooth handling and subtle luxury. 

Buick Entertainment

Today, cars are expected to offer far more than just a radio and a CD player when it comes to providing on the road entertainment. The modern in-car infotainment system can include features such as smartphone compatibility, internet connectivity, and navigation. The 2021 Buick Encore not only offers all of those features and more, it even makes them available on the base trim level instead of restricting them to the more expensive version.

The heart of the Encore's infotainment system is the standard 8-inch color touch screen in the dash. This large crisp display makes it easy to navigate the multitude of features that the Buick Infotainment System provides. However, this SUV also includes a large number of convenient hard buttons arrayed below the touch screen and mounted on the steering wheel so that you can control common functions like switching radio stations without taking your eyes off the road.

Advanced Connectivity

Perhaps the most valuable feature of the Encore's standard infotainment setup is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These two pieces of software allow you to seamlessly integrate your iPhone or Android smartphone for everything from making calls to displaying driving directions. In fact, the Encore provides you with several ways of listening to your favorite music on any device. You can stream audio using Bluetooth connectivity, connect your device via the USB ports, or plug it into the AUX port. 

The smartphone connectivity is further enhanced by the standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot data, which allows you to utilize your smartphone on the road without using up your data. Even if you don't have your phone with you, thanks to SiriusXM satellite radio, the 2021 Buick Encore even gives you access to countless channels of entertainment, from music to sports, no matter where your travels take you.

Crash Safety

You can trust the 2021 Buick Encore to keep you safe on the road. From its solid construction, advanced driver assistance features, and OnStar connectivity, this SUV is not only designed to let you walk away from an accident, but it can also even help you avoid accidents in the first place. Let's dive into some of these safety features in more detail to see just how safe the Encore is.

One of the 2021 Buick Encore's most impressive safety features is the number of airbags found in this subcompact SUV. The Encore provides you with no fewer than ten airbags, even including airbags designed to protect your knees. Thanks to such careful attention to detail, the Encore received a perfect five-star crash-test rating in government NHTSA testing.

Among the other mechanical safety features included in this SUV are LED brake lights and daytime running lights to help other motorists see your vehicle in darkness, rain, or dense fog. And of course, the Encore comes standard with all the baseline technologies, including StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, a rear vision camera, and 3-point seatbelts in all seats.

Active Driver Assistance

While the Encore's base trim provides all the critical passive safety features, opting for the higher trim unlocks a number of active driver assistance features. These include forward collision alert, which will warn you of any potential front-end collisions and give you more time to brake or avoid the accident. This system also has a secondary purpose of alerting you if you are following too closely behind the vehicle in front of you.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also available, alerting you if there is a vehicle in the lane beside you or if there is an oncoming vehicle when you are backing out of a parking space or driveway. Finally, there is lane departure warning (a system that alerts you if you're veering out of your lane), and front and rear park assist (which detect hidden obstacles when maneuvering at low speed). Together, these optional systems further enhance the already excellent safety of the 2021 Buick Encore and are a good reason to consider upgrading to the Preferred trim of this small SUV.