Buick Encore (2013–2022): used buyer's guide and engines

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 6, 2026

The Buick Encore is a small five-seat SUV Buick sold for the 2013–2022 model years. Every Encore uses a 1.4L turbo four with a six-speed automatic and FWD or AWD; Buick rated the original version at 138 hp and 148 lb-ft. It is now sold only used, and differs from the larger Encore GX.

Type: Two-row subcompact SUV, seats 5
Powertrains: Encore 1.4L turbo FWD, Encore 1.4L turbo AWD, Encore 1.4L turbo with direct injection and stop/start · 138 hp
Current generation: Encore, 2013–2022

Buick Encore engines, horsepower and mpg

Horsepower is from Buick's 2014 Encore catalog. EPA lists a second, direct-injected 1.4L with stop/start from 2017; we did not find a Buick-published rating for it. EPA rated 2022 Encores at 24/32/27 (FWD) and 23/30/26 (AWD).

Buick Encore powertrains with manufacturer-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
Version	Engine	Horsepower	Torque (lb-ft)	Transmission	Drive	EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
Encore 1.4L turbo FWD	1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder[1][2]	138	148	6-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	25/33/282013 MY[2]
Encore 1.4L turbo AWD	1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder[1][3]	138	148	6-speed automatic	All-wheel drive	23/29/252013 MY[3]
Encore 1.4L turbo with direct injection and stop/start	1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder (SIDI, stop/start)[4]	—	—	6-speed automatic	FWD	27/33/302017 MY[4]

Output is as rated by the manufacturer; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

Engines and mpg

All Encores use a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder. Buick's 2014 catalog rates it at 138 hp at 4,900 rpm and 148 lb-ft at 1,850 rpm. EPA rated the 2013 FWD at 25/33/28 mpg and the AWD at 23/29/25.

From 2017, EPA also lists a direct-injected 1.4L with stop/start rated at 27/33/30 mpg.[1][2][3][4]

Encore vs Encore GX

The Encore GX arrived for 2020 and was sold alongside the Encore through 2022. The GX uses 1.2L or 1.3L turbo three-cylinders instead of the Encore's 1.4L four.[5][7][8]

Recalls to check

The biggest Encore recall is 16V-651 for 2014–2017 air bag module software. 2013–2014 models also have front seat weld (14V-446) and lap belt pretensioner (14V-488, 2013) recalls. Check the VIN for open campaigns.[9]

Buick Encore generations by year

Every US Buick Encore generation with model years and engines, newest first
Generation	US model years	Engines	Notes
Encore	2013–2022	1.4L turbo four, 6-speed automatic, FWD or AWD	Buick's first small SUV; 2014 equipment groups were Convenience, Leather and Premium. Buick now lists the Encore among its legacy vehicles.[1][2][5][6]

Buick Encore problems and recalls

The largest recall covering the original Buick Encore is 16V-651: on 2014–2017 models, air bag module software could run a diagnostic test that blocks frontal air bag deployment. 2013–2014 Encores also have front seat weld and lap belt pretensioner recalls. Recalls on 2019–2020 models were smaller.

Documented Buick Encore issues and NHTSA recall campaigns
Issue	Generation	Years	Type
Frontal air bags may not deploy during a software test (recalls 16V-651 and 17V-437)[10][11][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2014–2017	2014–2017	Recall 16V651
Front seats may not stay anchored in a crash (recall 14V-446)[12][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2013–2014	2013–2014	Recall 14V446
Lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock (recall 14V-488)[13][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2013	2013	Recall 14V488
Loss of electric power steering assist (recall 15V-146)[14][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2015	2015	Recall 15V146
Start/stop accumulator may be missing bolts (recall 20V-668)[15][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2019–2020	2019–2020	Recall 20V668
Engine block heater cord can crack in the cold (recall 14V-417)[16][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2013–2014	2013–2014	Recall 14V417
Heated steering wheel fastener may be loose (recall 13V-105)[17][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2013	2013	Recall 13V105
Air bag module may be left in manufacturing mode (recall 18V-774)[18][9]	First generation (2013–2022) – 2019	2019	Recall 18V774

All 8 documented Encore issues and 8 recalls, with symptoms and pre-purchase checks →

Encore prices

These CarWhere pages show what the Buick Encore sells for today.

More Encore research

See how an Encore was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Buick build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Buick build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Buick Encore made?

EPA lists the Encore for the 2013 through 2022 model years.

What engine is in the Buick Encore?

A 1.4L turbo four with a six-speed automatic. Buick rated it at 138 hp and 148 lb-ft in its 2014 catalog.

Does the Buick Encore have AWD?

AWD was available; EPA rated the 2013 Encore AWD at 23/29/25 mpg.

What mpg does a used Encore get?

EPA ratings range from 25/33/28 mpg (2013 FWD) to 24/32/27 (2022 FWD).

Sources

Prices and output are as published by the manufacturer for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

2014 Buick Encore catalog (PDF) — Buick (buick.com)
EPA fuel economy: 2013 Buick Encore FWD 1.4L turbo — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy: 2013 Buick Encore AWD 1.4L turbo — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy: 2017 Buick Encore 1.4L turbo SIDI stop-start — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy: 2022 Buick Encore FWD 1.4L turbo — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
Buick legacy vehicles (Encore, Regal, LaCrosse) — Buick (buick.com)
EPA fuel economy: 2020 Buick Encore GX FWD 1.3L turbo — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
Buick reveals the 2024 Encore GX (Feb 16, 2023) — Buick newsroom (news.buick.com)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset (6axg-epim) full-text query: Encore — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 16V-651 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 17V-437 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 14V-446 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 14V-488 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 15V-146 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 20V-668 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 14V-417 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 13V-105 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
DOT/NHTSA recall dataset record 18V-774 — U.S. Department of Transportation / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)

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