Best Buick Encore Model Years (Ranked) in 2027

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each Encore and Encore GX model year against what real used-crossover shoppers care about, using data from Car and Driver, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Consumer Reports, the IIHS, the EPA, and General Motors publications. The weighting:

• Reliability and known-problem history — 25%
• Drivetrain refinement and power — 20%
• Safety equipment and ratings — 20%
• Cabin quietness and comfort — 15%
• Value and used pricing — 15%
• Tech and infotainment — 5%

A model year that fixed an earlier flaw, added standard safety gear, or simply aged well moves up; an early build with a rough engine or thin equipment drops.

1. 2022 Buick Encore GX (Essence) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2022 Buick Encore GX (Essence)

Engine: 1.3L turbo I3, 155 hp / 174 lb-ft, 9-speed automatic | Best for: Buyers who want the most polished Encore GX

The 2022 Encore GX in Essence trim is the most complete Encore you can buy used. The optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder makes 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, paired with a nine-speed automatic on front-drive or all-wheel-drive models, returning an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (FWD). The Essence adds leatherette, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a larger touchscreen. By 2022 GM had ironed out early infotainment quirks, and the GX earned strong IIHS crash scores. It is the sweet spot of power, features, and maturity.

Pros:

• Strongest 1.3L turbo with 174 lb-ft of torque
• Up to 30 mpg combined and available AWD
• Mature infotainment and quiet, upscale cabin
• Good IIHS crash performance

Cons:

• Three-cylinder can sound coarse under load
• CVT on the base 1.2L engine is less satisfying

Verdict: The best balance of power, refinement, and equipment in the whole Encore line.

2. 2021 Buick Encore GX (Select)

2021 Buick Encore GX (Select)

Engine: 1.3L turbo I3, 155 hp / 174 lb-ft, 9-speed automatic | Best for: Near-2022 polish for less money

The 2021 Encore GX Select offers nearly everything the 2022 does for less. The same 1.3-liter turbo three delivers 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, and standard driver aids include automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The Select trim hits the value-and-features balance, and a year of depreciation makes it a smart buy. Available all-wheel drive adds confidence in poor weather, and the cabin keeps the hushed feel Buick is known for.

Pros:

• Same 174-lb-ft turbo as the 2022
• Standard active-safety suite
• Lower used price than 2022 models
• Available AWD and quiet cabin

Cons:

• Slightly fewer standard luxury touches than Essence
• Early-build infotainment can lag

Verdict: A near-2022 experience at a friendlier used price.

3. 2020 Buick Encore GX (first GX year)

Engine: 1.3L turbo I3, 155 hp / 174 lb-ft, 9-speed automatic | Best for: The newest body style at the lowest GX price

The 2020 Encore GX introduced the larger, more modern second crossover wearing the Encore name. It rides on GM's newer platform, offers more rear-seat and cargo room than the original Encore, and brings the 1.3-liter turbo option. As the debut year it carries the deepest depreciation of any GX, making it the cheapest way into the modern body. Buyers should confirm software updates were applied, but the fundamentals are sound.

Pros:

• Cheapest entry to the modern GX body
• More space than the original Encore
• Available 174-lb-ft turbo three
• Modern safety features available

Cons:

• First-year software needed updates
• Base 1.2L engine is slow

Verdict: The value route into the newer, roomier GX body.

4. 2019 Buick Encore (Sport Touring) 💎 BEST VALUE

2019 Buick Encore (Sport Touring)

Engine: 1.4L turbo I4, up to 153 hp / 177 lb-ft, 6-speed automatic | Best for: Maximum used value in a proven small SUV

The 2019 Encore Sport Touring is the smart-money pick. It uses the proven 1.4-liter turbo four, which in upper trims makes 153 hp and 177 lb-ft, mated to a six-speed automatic. As a late first-generation model it benefits from years of refinement, a genuinely quiet cabin, and prices that now sit well under $15,000 used. For shoppers who prize value and a calm ride over the latest tech, it is the standout bargain of the lineup.

Pros:

• Often under $15,000 used
• Proven 1.4L turbo with 177 lb-ft
• Very quiet cabin for the class
• Late-run refinement and reliability

Cons:

• Older infotainment and fewer driver aids
• Tight rear seat and cargo area

Verdict: The best dollars-to-quietness ratio in the entire Encore family.

5. 2018 Buick Encore (Essence)

Engine: 1.4L turbo I4, 138–153 hp, 6-speed automatic | Best for: A refreshed first-gen cabin for less

The 2018 Encore received the mid-cycle refresh that updated the front end, dashboard, and infotainment. The Essence trim adds leather and heated seats. The 1.4-liter turbo four makes 138 hp standard or 153 hp in higher tune, returning around 28 mpg combined. This is the original Encore at its most modern inside, just before the GX arrived, and it remains a comfortable, easy-to-own small SUV.

Pros:

• Refreshed interior and infotainment
• Available 153-hp turbo
• Comfortable, hushed ride
• Reasonable used pricing

Cons:

• Slow with the base 138-hp tune
• Cramped for taller passengers

Verdict: The refreshed first-gen Encore that feels newer than its age.

6. 2023 Buick Encore GX

2023 Buick Encore GX

Engine: 1.3L turbo I3, 155 hp / 174 lb-ft, 9-speed automatic | Best for: Late GX buyers wanting more standard tech

The 2023 Encore GX continued the GX with updated standard technology and an available larger touchscreen on some trims. The 1.3-liter turbo three remains the engine to get, with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, and front- or all-wheel drive. It is among the newest examples here, so prices are higher, but it brings the most current safety and infotainment of the pre-redesign GX years.

Pros:

• Newest pre-redesign GX tech
• Strong 174-lb-ft turbo three
• Available AWD and modern aids
• Low used mileage available

Cons:

• Highest used price of the GX years
• Three-cylinder still buzzy

Verdict: The most current GX before the redesign — pay up for low miles.

7. 2017 Buick Encore

2017 Buick Encore

Engine: 1.4L turbo I4, 138–153 hp, 6-speed automatic | Best for: Pre-refresh value with proven mechanicals

The 2017 Encore is the last year before the refresh, offering the well-sorted 1.4-liter turbo four in either 138 hp or 153 hp form. Mechanically it matches the refreshed cars, just with the older dashboard. Used prices are low, and the proven drivetrain keeps ownership costs reasonable. It is a sensible budget pick for buyers who do not need the latest screen.

Pros:

• Proven, low-cost 1.4L turbo
• Affordable used pricing
• Quiet ride for the segment
• Simple, durable mechanicals

Cons:

• Pre-refresh interior and tech
• Modest power and acceleration

Verdict: A dependable budget Encore for buyers who skip the latest tech.

8. 2016 Buick Encore

2016 Buick Encore

Engine: 1.4L turbo I4, 138 hp | Best for: Lowest-cost late-availability entry

The 2016 Encore offers the same fundamental package as nearby years — a quiet cabin, the turbo four, and front- or all-wheel drive — at one of the lowest used prices in the range. It lacks the refresh and newer aids, but for a buyer who simply wants an inexpensive, comfortable city crossover, it delivers. Check service history, as higher-mileage examples are common at this age.

Pros:

• Among the cheapest Encores to buy
• Quiet, comfortable around town
• Available all-wheel drive
• Compact, easy to park

Cons:

• Older tech and safety gear
• Higher-mileage examples common

Verdict: The bargain-basement Encore for budget city drivers.

9. 2015 Buick Encore

2015 Buick Encore

Engine: 1.4L turbo I4, 138 hp | Best for: Early but settled first-gen example

The 2015 Encore had shed the first-year wrinkles of the 2013 launch and runs the familiar 1.4-liter turbo four with 138 hp. It is a known quantity with widely available parts and service. As an older model it should be bought on condition and maintenance records, but a well-kept example remains a comfortable, quiet small SUV for very little money.

Pros:

• Settled, post-launch first-gen build
• Very low used prices
• Quiet, isolated ride
• Widely available parts

Cons:

• Modest 138-hp output only
• Dated infotainment

Verdict: A cheap, settled first-gen Encore — buy the best-maintained one.

10. 2013 Buick Encore (debut year)

2013 Buick Encore (debut year)

Engine: 1.4L turbo I4, 138 hp, 6-speed automatic | Best for: Collectors of the original small-luxury-SUV pioneer

The 2013 Encore launched the small-premium-crossover idea for Buick and is the most affordable, most basic version here. The 1.4-liter turbo four makes 138 hp, and the cabin was praised at launch for its quietness. As a first-model-year vehicle it is the one to buy most cautiously, but it remains historically notable as the car that started the segment for the brand.

Pros:

• The original, segment-defining Encore
• Lowest purchase price of all
• Surprisingly quiet for its size
• Easy to maintain

Cons:

• First-model-year risk
• Least power and oldest tech

Verdict: The historic original — cheapest of all, but buy strictly on condition.

Which Encore Year Is Right for You?

How to Choose

• Decide GX versus original first. The Encore GX (2020+) is a larger, newer vehicle than the first-generation Encore (2013–2022). They share a name but not a platform.
• Get the 1.3L turbo on a GX. The optional 1.3-liter turbo three (155 hp / 174 lb-ft) is far better than the base 1.2L with its CVT. Confirm which engine a used GX has.
• On first-gen cars, the 1.4L turbo is standard. Upper trims tune it to 153 hp; base trims make 138 hp. The difference is noticeable around town.
• Prioritize safety equipment. Newer years add automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist as standard — worth seeking out.
• Buy on maintenance records. With small turbo engines, oil-change history and timing maintenance matter more than the model year alone.
• Check infotainment software. Earliest GX builds needed updates; verify they were applied.

What matters less than it seems: badge trim names and wheel size. A well-maintained Sport Touring or Select will outlast a neglected top trim.

FAQ

What is the best Buick Encore model year overall? The 2022 Encore GX in Essence trim is the best overall, pairing a 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder (155 hp, 174 lb-ft) with a refined nine-speed automatic and available all-wheel drive. It represents the most mature version of Buick’s compact-luxury crossover before the GX carried on largely unchanged.

Which Buick Encore gives the best value used? The 2019 Encore (original, Sport Touring) offers the best value, often found used for well under $15,000. It provides a quiet cabin, a peppy turbo, and Buick’s signature isolation as a late-run example of the first-generation model.

Are the Encore and Encore GX the same car? No, they are different vehicles sharing a name. The first-generation Encore ran from 2013–2022, while the Encore GX launched in 2020 and continues today, with distinct platforms, engines, and interior dimensions.

What are the worst years for the Buick Encore? Early model years like 2013 and 2014 often had more reliability complaints, including transmission issues and infotainment glitches. Later years, especially after 2018, saw significant improvements in build quality and feature content.

How reliable is the Buick Encore compared to rivals? Reliability varies by year, with later models (2019+) generally scoring average to above-average in owner surveys. It trails Japanese rivals like the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-3 in long-term dependability but offers a quieter, more isolated ride.

Does the Buick Encore hold its value well? The Encore depreciates faster than many compact crossovers, typically losing 40–50% of its value over five years. This makes used examples a strong value for buyers, but less ideal for those seeking high resale returns.

Bottom Line

The Best Overall Buick Encore is the 2022 Encore GX Essence, combining the strong 1.3-liter turbo (155 hp / 174 lb-ft), available all-wheel drive, and the most mature features and software in the line. The Best Value is the 2019 Encore Sport Touring, a late first-generation model that delivers Buick quietness and a proven turbo for well under $15,000. Choose the GX for space and modern tech, the original for bargain comfort, and always buy on maintenance records over headline trim names.

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Sources

• Car and Driver — Buick Encore and Encore GX reviews and specifications
• Edmunds — used Buick Encore pricing and model-year reviews
• Kelley Blue Book (KBB) — Encore and Encore GX values and ownership data
• Consumer Reports — Buick Encore reliability ratings by model year
• IIHS — Buick Encore and Encore GX crash-test ratings
• EPA — fuel economy estimates for the Encore and Encore GX
• General Motors / Buick — official Encore GX specifications and trim details

*Buick Encore review — Buick Encore reviews, rating, best Buick Encore model year, review 2027, and a review of the top Buick Encore years for used buyers.*

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