Shopping for Buick’s Best-Selling Vehicle: The Buick Encore

Are you ready to see your money go the extra mile on the car lot? As your Lexington used Buick dealership, we get excited when our customers discover the many benefits of shopping from our used inventory. One of our best-selling pre-owned models is the Buick Encore, which is known for offering affordable luxury straight from the factory. This makes the Encore an even better value when purchased on the used lot. So, what should you look for when shopping for a used Encore? The Dan Cummins team has that answer and more.

The Journey Begins: The Original Encore (2013-2016)

Finding a first-generation Encore isn’t a difficult task since the crossover made its debut in 2013. The Encore marked Buick’s entry into the compact crossover segment and continues to expand Buick’s reputation for delivering sophisticated and elegant vehicles. Offering seating for five and ample cargo space, the first-generation Encore is a great value because of its features, versatility, and agile handling.

The Encore’s numerous luxury features reflect Buick’s ability to deliver a premium driving and riding experience and include a suite of standard and available tools like remote vehicle start, Rainsense wipers, a Bose premium sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Encore is also equipped with Buick’s exclusive QuietTuning technology that absorbs every bump and vibration from the road and the world outside. This makes the Encore one of the best riding crossovers in the segment.

In 2016, the Encore saw even better handling with the all-new Encore Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring or ST is instantly distinguishable from other trims with its 18-inch aluminum wheels, body-color door handles, and rear spoiler. The ST is also equipped with a new 1.4-liter turbo engine with stop-start technology that delivers more torque and power than every other Encore in the lineup, easily satisfying your need for speed.

Aging Like Fine Wine: The Encore Refreshed (2017-Present)

As Buick’s best-selling vehicle, the Encore got a stunning refresh in 2017 to bring it up to date. Buick doesn’t hold anything back and makes the Encore more luxurious than ever with an all-new streamlined design and sculpted front end. Refined and stunning, the Encore boasts a new hood and front fenders, LED lighting, and an updated interior that’s fit for a king or queen.

Intuitive technology is at the heart of the refreshed Encore as Buick added a suite of advanced tools that are designed to keep you connected without taking your focus from the road. The instrument panel is redesigned with a new gauge cluster and 4.2-inch display along with an 8-inch center touchscreen display that’s home to navigation and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The generation also adds push-button start, keyless unlock, and several new exterior colors to extend the Encore’s sophisticated color palette.

This sophistication continues through all the model years of the Encore, although Buick simplified the trim lineup in 2019 by offering the base Encore, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence trims. The top-tier Essence trim also sees the addition of enhanced safety tools in the Safety Package II. This suite includes Front and Rear Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Rainsense wipers, and an air ionizer that keeps the air in the cabin fresh and odor-free. This suite, along with the trim’s numerous luxury features, makes the Encore Essence a great value on the used lot.

A New Kid in Town: The Encore GX (2020-Present)

One of the most exciting aspects of shopping for a used Encore is finding an Encore GX on the used lot. Buick expanded its SUV-exclusive lineup in 2020 with the debut of the larger and more luxurious GX. The GX is larger than the Encore but smaller than the Envision and offers plenty of power and capability with its 1.2-liter and 1.3-liter engines that deliver between 137 to 155 horsepower.

Inside, the Encore GX also extends the Encore’s sophistication with a suite of intuitive technology, advanced safety, and exceptional luxury features that are iconic to the Buick brand. These features include an innovative Rear Camera Mirror that provides a less obstructed view of the back of the SUV in real-time, as well as a High Definition Surround Vision camera system that gives you a clear picture around the vehicle. You’ll also find that some Encore GX models offer a head-up display, which puts all the information you need in a clear display on the windshield so that you never have to take your eyes off the road.

If you’re looking for the latest technology and features, finding a 2021 Encore GX on the lot is especially exciting and far easier now that the 2022 Encore GX has arrived. The 2021 Encore GX continues to offer two powertrain options and 50.2 cubic feet of cargo room, but the crossover sees the addition of several new standard features along with the addition of enhanced driver-assist tools like Adaptive Cruise Control. Every Encore GX from 2021 comes standard with SiriusXM satellite radio and wireless smartphone integration via AppleCarPlay and Android Auto. The Encore GX Preferred also offers Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts the SUV’s speed according to the flow of traffic.

Finding the Right Encore

Now that you know more about the Encore’s evolution, are you ready to start your search for the perfect used Encore? When outlets like Consumer Reports name the Encore a great value on the used lot, you know you’re on the right track. So, what models should you look for on the used lot? It all depends on your budget and priorities.

Early Encores are usually priced the lowest because of their age; however, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t a great option if you’re on a tight budget. You can find a 2016 Encore that offers plenty of features and luxuries at an affordable price. However, if you’re willing to stretch your budget even further, don’t shy away from an Encore built between 2017 and 2019. These models earned high praise from Consumer Reports, and it’s easy to see why since Buick redesigned the SUV to deliver plenty of power and capability, an exceptionally smooth ride, and a host of intuitive safety and connectivity features.

For drivers looking for a newer pre-owned Encore, the Encore GX is an even greater value because of its recent addition to the Buick lineup in 2020. These models are fairly new, and that often means a higher sticker price than what you’ll find on an Encore. However, new Encore GX models are extremely affordable, and that means even more savings when you find this gem on the used lot.

It’s Time to Start Shopping

Did you know that most financial experts discourage people from buying new vehicles? Financially, buying a new vehicle isn’t the wisest decision because a new car starts losing its value the moment you drive it off the lot. Your investment, i.e. your vehicle, continues to lose its value at a rapid rate over the next few years. You essentially start losing money on your new vehicle before the ink dries on the paperwork.

Used cars like the Buick Encore are great options because they’ve already experienced this rapid rate of depreciation by the time you get behind the wheel. Your money goes further, and you get a better value car. You’ll also find that you can afford a fully loaded Encore on the pre-owned lot that would otherwise be out of your price range if purchased new. That makes shopping for a used Buick Encore a win-win if you ask us!

Posted in Lexington Used Buick Dealership | No Comments »