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Buick New Models: What’s Changed?

Buick can make you feel as though you’re driving a high-end luxurious car without paying a ton of money. But while you may be getting a deal, cars still come at a significant cost. That can make it hard to choose between a new or a slightly used model.

What are the differences? Is it worth the extra money? We've laid out some of the biggest changes in Buick’s most popular models to help you choose which one is perfect for you.

Verano

The Verano is the smallest passenger car introduced by Buick, and the 2017 model is the last of this line. One of the main differences you’ll notice with the 2017 Verano is the weight. The new model is much lighter, which could increase the fuel economy and handling of the vehicle, giving it a Chevy Cruze vibe.

Another huge change is the outside since the interior grew in volume, which is great for anyone looking for a little more space. The larger cabin is also expected to bring improved materials and design to make the Verano feel even more luxurious than its predecessor.

Sadly, the turbocharged engine from last year seems to be missing, leaving you with the just the 2.4L 4-cylinder. It's not a bad engine - it gets 180hp and 171 lb-ft of torque - it's just not the turbo. The base MSRP for the new Verano is holding steady from last year at $21,065.

Encore

The 2017 Encore also saw a major overhaul, with improvements to its technology and appearance. Now redesigned with 18-inch wheels and brand new paint colors, the Encore looks better than ever. It’s also fitted with a winged grille and a sculpted hood to give it a sleek look that you’d expect from a high-class compact SUV.

Another huge upgrade was the 4.2-inch Driver Information screen and the introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, the 2017 Encore now has keyless entry and a push-button start to accompany the Buick IntelliLink telematics software, which was introduced in the 2016 model.

Other features that followed the 2016 Encore to the newer model include Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot, and a rearview camera. The 2017 Encore did drop in fuel economy slightly to 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, compared to the previous year which had 28 mpg/34 mpg.  Even with all these new features, the 2017 Encore saw a price decrease from $24,065 to the new starting MSRP of $22,990.

LaCrosse

The LaCrosse saw a complete overhaul this year of its exterior, interior, and technology. The exterior is longer and lower than the 2016 model, but it also did away with the oversized waterfall grille, slab sides, and boxy rear for a more cohesive design. The interior is also much different, with the quality of the materials improving drastically to be on par with competing full-size sedans.

Despite being lower to the ground, the center console is now taller and hovers over a large bin area that has more accessible cup holders and a simpler climate-control design. It also comes with the newest IntelliLink upgrades and an 8-inch touch-screen interface.  The 2017 LaCrosse also comes with a standard rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Changes did cause a decrease in fuel economy compared to the previous model. The 2017 LaCrosse gets an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, whereas the predecessor got 25 mpg/36 mpg. The best thing about the new LaCrosse is that the price didn’t increase much. The new MSRP starts at $32,065 compared to the 2016 model’s price tag of $31,065.

Last Updated: December 13, 2018