For a start, Buick offers exactly one color as standard, regardless of trim. Things go to pieces quickly, though, if you dig into the options. Our range-topping Essence tester, meanwhile, starts at $29,595, which is about equal with the Mini and range-topping 500X, but still well below the Germans. The Buick even acquits itself against mainstream competition from Mazda, Mini, and Fiat – the base CX-30 is cheaper, but the Encore is even with the Fiat and more affordable than the Countryman. The Encore GX starts at $24,200 (not including destination), which easily undercuts the Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz we consider rivals. We wish more automakers would take GM's lead with this sort of tech.
BUICK ENCORE 2020 MPG DRIVER
Standard on most of its models, Teen Driver Assist is a helpful way for parents to monitor their child's driving behavior and to set limits on things like speed and audio volume. One thing we'd like to call out that doesn't get enough attention is GM's Teen Driver Assist. The camera-based adaptive cruise control was also decidedly average, not wowing us with its ability to manage vehicle speeds in traffic, but also not scaring us either with sudden braking events. Befitting its inbetweener status, though, it was on par with what you'd find in a Mazda CX-30, with occasional ping-ponging between lane markers. The lane-keeping assist received the most criticism, as it lacked the sophistication found in pricier rivals, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Audi Q3.
In practice, our Encore GX tester worked well enough. The only active safety items that cost extra – adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera – come with the Advanced Technology pack, which includes a head-up display and rear camera mirror for $1,790. Regardless of the Encore GX you order, it'll have automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning. We don't write this often, but props to General Motors for including a comprehensive active safety suite on every trim. But hey, at least the green font is mostly visible with polarized sunglasses. The head-up display is helpful, but the flip-up glass plate feels a little low rent and the image itself is tiny. Other features, like GM's rear camera mirror and wireless charge pad, are little things to make life easier. Wireless CarPlay functionality was faultless during our testing, with the system connecting quickly on startup and showing none of the bad manners we've encountered in other vehicles. The layout, as we've noted in other reviews, is logical and easy to learn, so even tech-averse consumers will come to grips quickly. Buick's current infotainment – a reskin of what the GM offers in Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac products – is responsive, and the 8.0-inch touchscreen offers decent graphical fidelity.
Our tester adds a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, a wireless charge pad, a rear camera mirror, and automatic parking, creating an unimpeachably good tech suite. Wireless Apple CarPlay and a strong suite of active safety equipment in a sub-$30,000 vehicle is an uncommonly good value. Our range-topping Encore GX Essence has an impressive collection of standard equipment.
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