Hey guys! Thinking about snagging a 2024 Buick Encore? You're probably wondering if it's a good car, right? Well, let's dive into what makes the 2024 Buick Encore tick, covering everything from its performance and interior to its tech and safety features. By the end, you’ll have a solid idea if this subcompact SUV is the right fit for your needs. So buckle up and let’s get started!

Overview of the 2024 Buick Encore

The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV that has been a popular choice for many looking for a blend of luxury and practicality in a smaller package. For 2024, the Encore continues to offer a comfortable ride, a stylish design, and a host of features aimed at making your daily drives more enjoyable. But what exactly makes it stand out in a crowded market? Let's break it down.

The 2024 Buick Encore distinguishes itself with a focus on comfort and refinement, setting it apart from some of its more utilitarian competitors. Its compact size makes it easy to maneuver in urban environments, while still offering enough space for passengers and cargo. The Encore's exterior design is modern and sleek, featuring Buick's signature styling cues, such as the waterfall grille and sculpted lines. These elements give it a premium appearance that punches above its weight class.

Inside, the Encore offers a well-appointed cabin with quality materials and attention to detail. The seats are designed for comfort, providing ample support for long journeys. The dashboard layout is intuitive, with controls that are easy to reach and use. Buick has also integrated a range of technology features, including an infotainment system with smartphone integration, ensuring that you stay connected and entertained on the road.

However, it's essential to consider how the Encore stacks up against its rivals. Competitors like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Chevrolet Trailblazer offer their own unique advantages, such as sportier handling, more cargo space, or more advanced safety features. Therefore, understanding the Encore's strengths and weaknesses relative to these alternatives is critical in making an informed decision. Does the Encore's focus on comfort and luxury outweigh its potential shortcomings in other areas?

Performance and Handling

When you're considering a new ride, performance is definitely something you're thinking about, right? Let's explore the 2024 Buick Encore's performance and handling. It's equipped with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 155 horsepower. While this might not sound like a ton of power, it's generally sufficient for city driving and everyday commuting. The Encore isn't designed to be a speed demon, but it offers enough pep to get you around town without feeling sluggish.

The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which provides smooth and predictable shifts. The combination of the engine and transmission results in decent fuel economy, making it an economical choice for those who want to save money at the pump. Expect to get around 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, which is competitive for the subcompact SUV class.

As for handling, the Encore is tuned for comfort rather than sporty driving. The suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and road imperfections, providing a smooth and composed ride. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. However, if you're looking for a more engaging driving experience, you might find the Encore a bit lacking compared to some of its rivals.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Encore is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive version provides added traction and stability in adverse weather conditions, making it a good choice if you live in an area with snow or rain. However, the front-wheel-drive version is more fuel-efficient, so it's a trade-off to consider based on your specific needs and driving conditions.

Interior Comfort and Features

Alright, let’s step inside! The interior of the 2024 Buick Encore is designed with comfort and convenience in mind. The cabin is well-appointed with quality materials, giving it a premium feel. The seats are comfortable and supportive, making long drives more enjoyable. There's plenty of headroom and legroom for both the driver and front passenger, although the rear seats can feel a bit cramped for taller adults.

The Encore comes standard with a range of features, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. These features keep you connected and entertained on the road. Higher trim levels add even more goodies, such as a larger 8-inch touchscreen, a Bose premium audio system, and a sunroof.

One of the standout features of the Encore is its quiet cabin. Buick has put a lot of effort into reducing noise, vibration, and harshness, resulting in a serene and relaxing driving experience. This is especially noticeable on the highway, where the Encore remains composed and quiet, even at higher speeds.

However, the Encore's interior isn't without its drawbacks. The cargo space is relatively small compared to some of its competitors. With the rear seats up, there's only about 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which is enough for a few bags of groceries or a couple of suitcases. Folding down the rear seats expands the cargo area to 48.4 cubic feet, but even then, it's still less than what some other subcompact SUVs offer.

Technology and Connectivity

In today's world, staying connected is super important, right? The 2024 Buick Encore doesn't disappoint when it comes to technology and connectivity. The standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system is user-friendly and responsive. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone with the car's system. This means you can access your favorite apps, make calls, and send texts using voice commands or the touchscreen.

The Encore also offers available features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows you to connect multiple devices to the internet while on the go. This is a great feature for families or anyone who needs to stay connected while traveling. The available Bose premium audio system delivers excellent sound quality, making your music sound its best.

Buick has also included several USB ports throughout the cabin, so you can easily charge your devices. The Encore also comes with available features like keyless entry and remote start, adding to the convenience factor.

However, some reviewers have noted that the Encore's infotainment system can feel a bit dated compared to some of its competitors. The graphics aren't as sharp, and the system isn't as fast as some of the newer systems on the market. But overall, the Encore offers a solid set of technology features that should meet the needs of most drivers.

Safety Features

Safety first, right? The 2024 Buick Encore comes with a range of standard and available safety features designed to keep you and your passengers safe. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, antilock brakes, stability control, and a full suite of airbags.

Available safety features include forward collision alert, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. These features use sensors and cameras to monitor the area around the car and alert you to potential hazards. Forward collision alert can even automatically apply the brakes in certain situations to help prevent or mitigate a collision.

The Encore has also performed well in crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the Encore a 5-star overall safety rating, which is the highest rating possible. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also given the Encore good ratings in several crash tests.

While the Encore offers a good set of safety features, it's important to note that some of the more advanced features are only available on higher trim levels. So, if you want the most comprehensive safety package, you'll need to upgrade to a higher trim. But overall, the Encore provides a safe and secure driving experience.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2024 Buick Encore is available in a few different trim levels, each offering a different set of features and options. The base trim is the Encore Preferred, which comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rearview camera. Higher trim levels add features like a larger 8-inch touchscreen, a Bose premium audio system, a sunroof, and advanced safety features.

Pricing for the 2024 Buick Encore starts at around $25,000 for the base trim. Higher trim levels can push the price up to around $30,000 or more, depending on the options you choose. It's important to keep in mind that these prices are just estimates and can vary depending on your location and the dealer you're working with.

When considering the price of the Encore, it's important to compare it to its competitors. The Encore is priced competitively within the subcompact SUV class, but some rivals offer more features or a lower price point. It's also important to factor in the cost of ownership, including fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

Pros and Cons

To wrap things up, let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of the 2024 Buick Encore.

Pros:

• Comfortable and quiet ride
• Stylish exterior design
• Well-appointed interior
• User-friendly technology features
• Good safety ratings

Cons:

• Limited cargo space
• Engine performance could be better
• Infotainment system feels a bit dated
• Some advanced safety features only available on higher trim levels

Final Verdict

So, is the 2024 Buick Encore a good car? The answer really depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for a comfortable and stylish subcompact SUV with a focus on luxury and refinement, the Encore is definitely worth considering. It offers a smooth ride, a quiet cabin, and a range of technology features that make your daily drives more enjoyable.

However, if you need a lot of cargo space or want a more engaging driving experience, you might want to look at some of the Encore's competitors. The Encore's engine performance is adequate but not thrilling, and its cargo space is limited compared to some other subcompact SUVs.

Ultimately, the best way to decide if the 2024 Buick Encore is right for you is to take it for a test drive and see how it feels. Compare it to some of its competitors and consider your own needs and priorities. If the Encore checks all the right boxes for you, then it could be a great choice.

So there you have it, guys! I hope this review has been helpful in your car-buying journey. Happy driving!