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The 2022 Encore is still part of the original generation that arrived back in 2013 and that has us wondering if a used Buick Encore isn’t the better buy.
Comparing Buicks Subcompact SUV
The original Buick Encore came out all the way back in 2013 and today, the new 2022 Encore sits on the same platform with many of the same features and styling details. To that end, it could make a lot more sense to buy a used Buick Encore since you won’t be the one taking the depreciation hit that comes with most new cars. Flip that coin over though and you’ll find that many Encores hold their value reasonably well. Interestingly enough, for 2022, there’s only a single trim available so some older Encores come in trims that you can’t get today. Let’s find out which is the better buy. We’ll compare a brand new 2022 model to a used Buick Encore made in 2019 and determine a winner.
Specs
For 2019, the Buick Encore came with two different engine choices. The base model came with a 138-horsepower inline four-cylinder engine. A more punchy 153-horsepower version of the same motor was available for the two top trims in the lineup, Sport Touring, and Essence, though it wasn’t standard on either. Regardless of choice, both engines get decent fuel economy and range between 26 mpg to 28 mpg combined depending on trim and options according to the EPA. In our search, the vast majority of used Buick Encores made in 2019 are still trading hands for more than $20,000. Some notable exceptions exist that can drop pricing deep into the teens but bear in mind that they will likely have considerably more mileage, fewer features, or both. We’d say that if you want all of the main features that come on a new Encore and you’d prefer mileage to be below 15,000 you should expect to pay $23,000-$25,000 on a used Buick Encore right now.
On the new Encore side of the coin, only a single trim remains. The Preferred trim is equipped with a single-engine choice, a 155-horsepower version of the same one found in the older car. It gets nearly identical fuel economy scores but maxes out at 27 mpg combined. Both the used Buick Encore and the new one can be optioned with all-wheel-drive though neither year features a trim that equips it as standard. The new car starts at $25,795 and then bumps up to $26,415 if you opt for AWD. Throw in a few desirable options like blind-spot monitoring, remote start, and a sport package that includes a towing hitch and this little SUV will easily crest $30,000. That’s a price tag that you are highly unlikely to find on any used Encore no matter what equipment it might have.
Driving Performance
Seeing as these compact SUVs use all the same components it’s incredibly hard to parse any real differences in the way that they move down the road. Buick hasn’t really done much in the way of adding sporting suspension parts or anything else of the sort with regard to the Encore over the last few years. In fact, for the 2020 model year they actually sold the car with just the 138-horsepower engine which is one reason we’re not comparing it to the new car. It’s just too lethargic for everyday use in our opinion with only one caveat. If you live in a dense urban jungle, the base Encore motor does just fine. It’s zippy enough to get anybody up to main street cruising speeds without issue.
At the same time, the 15-17 horsepower advantage offered by the more potent unit might not sound like much, but it’s more than a 10% bump in power… and that’s noticeable right away. Neither of these little SUVs are quick, but at least the more powerful one feels engaging to drive. As for actual driving dynamics, each model year is very similar. There’s more body roll than we’d like, and feedback from the road through the pedals and steering wheel is below average in our experience. While it might be trying to get rid of the stigma, the Encore really is perfect for those who count themselves as old souls. It’s happy to comfortably, slowly trundle down the road without urgency. It’s in that type of driving style where it’s really at home. Because the truth is that it’s pretty nice on trips like that.
Comfort & Interior
No, it’s not modern or tech heavy. The smallish infotainment system, the cheap switchgear, and the very old-school gear lever are all disappointing but to focus on those features would be to miss the good that the Encore provides. Both the new and the used Buick Encore feature the same general interior with a few notable exceptions.
For example, the new Encore has one climate system, a manually operated, single zone unit. The used Buick Encore can be had with dual-zone automatic climate control which is a big upgrade in our opinion. In addition, you can’t get the new car with a heated steering wheel or heated front seats like those found in some used 2019 models.
Riding down the road in either produces similar experiences inside. The suspension damps out poor road conditions fairly well and road noise is very minimal. In fact, the super-quiet cabin is a real highlight that makes the Encore feel more expensive than it is. The seating is supportive and comfortable but lateral support seems to be an afterthought that Buick never really came back to. Overall, it’s a nice place to spend time so long as the pace isn’t too quick.
Trims & Features
For 2019, the Encore was sold in four different trims starting out with the 1SV. It featured 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, heated mirrors, roof rails, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Every trim came standard with front-wheel-drive and the 138-horsepower engine mentioned above.
Above that is the Preferred trim which adds a cargo cover, floor mats, and the option to add safety equipment like rear cross-traffic alert, remote start, and blind-spot monitoring.
The Sport Touring trim features a spoiler, fog lights, and remote start as standard features.
At the top of the range is the Essence which gets a 120-volt household-style power outlet, LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and blind-spot monitoring as well as rear cross-traffic alert.
For 2022, only the Preferred trim remains. It uses 18-inch wheels, halogen headlights, and a smaller 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Buyers can add AWD for $620. A slew of additional packages can add features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and remote start.
The Verdict
This is a tougher comparison than it looks like on paper. Why pay almost as much for a used model as you would for a new one? In one word, features. There are lots of key features that can’t be had on a new Encore. Frankly, though, this is a budget SUV in any guise and the added safety of having a full three-year warranty makes the new 2022 Buick Encore with more power and nearly identical qualities the way we’d go.
