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Which 2018 Buick Encore Is Right for You?

The Buick Encore is ranked 5 out of 13 for subcompact SUVs on the market, according to U.S. News. Even with the basic trim, it comes with some great safety features.

It has one of the nicest interiors in its class, making it hard to say no to the 2018 Buick Encore. The only real difficult part is choosing between the six different trims, but we have you covered in that department with our comparisons.

Encore

The Encore is the least expensive trim on the market with a starting price of $22,990. Despite the price, it’s still as luxurious as you’d expect a Buick to be. It uses a 1.4-liter SIDI turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to produce 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. This engine allows the Encore to get up to 25 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. Some of the best features in this trim include Bluetooth connectivity, rear vision camera, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and Rainsense automatic wipers.

Preferred

The Preferred is a slight step up and starts at $24,365. It uses the same engine, so it gets the same fuel economy. Drivers that love customization will love this trim because there are tons of options you can add onto your Encore. There aren’t many differences between the Preferred and the Encore trim. The most notable features are the addition of floor mats and a retractable cargo shade. While this trim doesn’t add much, it does allow drivers to add the Road Trip Package and its associated features—something that is unavailable on the Encore trim.

Sport Touring

Unlike the Preferred, the Sport Touring comes with a couple of features that make it a much better option. The best feature is the inclusion of remote start, which allows you to start your Encore from afar to warm it during the winter or cool it down during the summer. It also comes with a rear spoiler to reduce drag and help eliminate aerodynamic lift, which could improve fuel economy. It also comes with as many add-ons as the Preferred. You can get this trim for a starting MSRP of $25,565.

Preferred II

The Preferred II starts at $26,865 and comes with some important upgrades that significantly improve the safety of the care. For instance, the Preferred II comes with Rear Cross Traffic alerts and Side Blind Zone Alerts—this protects both you and your passengers from harm. There are more upgrades on the interior of this trim that continue to show it’s a great choice. The best of which is the addition of a rearview auto-dimming mirror, a 120-volt power outlet, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Essence

The Essence has a big jump in price with an MSRP of $29,065, but it has more features that make it worth the money. Most of the features are designed to increase comfort, like the addition of heated driver front and passenger seats. It also has not only a six-way power-adjustable driver seat, like previous trims, but also a power-adjustable passenger seat. Other noteworthy features include a driver's side memory seat, heated steering wheel, and LED headlamps. These upgrades will have you looking for a reason to drive your Encore Essence.

Premium

For just $30,515 MSRP, you can get everything the Buick Encore has to offer in the Premium trim. Nearly everything in this trim is upgraded to improve convenience and safety. One of the best features is the addition of a Bose 7-speaker premium sound system, but it doesn’t stop there. The Premium further includes Forward Collision Alerts, Lane Departure Warnings, and Front and Rear Park Assist to increase safety. Some other features include a cargo net, an air ionizer, and a carpeted rear cargo area.

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Last Updated: October 11, 2017