2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring Adds New Engine, Unique Styling Cues
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The Buick Encore has been a runaway hit for Buick, with sales of the subcompact crossover increasing 29 percent year-over-year in the first six months of 2015. And to keep things fresh, Buick has announced the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring alongside various other changes and updates to the 2016 Encore.
The 2016 Encore Sport Touring arrives with a few unique styling cues to differentiate the crossover’s looks from other Encores that include a winged spoiler, body-color door handles and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
The bigger news is what sits under the hood of the 2016 Encore Sport Touring. GM has stuck its all-new, 1.4-liter Turbo I4 LE2 with start/stop technology that’s good for 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Buick says that power will be very noticeable when searching for more low, to mid-end grunt.
“Encore is a driving force behind Buick’s expansion and a catalyst for introducing a new generation of customers to the brand,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president of Buick. “The all-new Encore Sport Touring broadens that base, giving customers more choices – along with more performance, more technology and more efficiency.”
The 1.4-liter turbo isn’t just more powerful and more efficient; it’s quieter, too. The engine features an inverted-tooth design in the camshaft drivetrain for lower sound levels. The aluminum oil pan now features a lower, steel-stamped sump, while engine covers have been optimized to reduce unwanted noise.
The standard slew of features remain present, with the only options being all-wheel drive, a Bose premium audio system and moonroof.
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Nice addition but they should make it standard for all models and put the 1.6L in as the option.
I thought body color handles was a sign of cheapness. As in the Trax does this but the Encore doesn’t.
Well Bentley, Porsche, BMW, Jag, Aston Martin, Ferrari { I could keep going} All use body color door handles. They tend to be a Euro styling trait that is very common.
Some limited number of high end cars use chrome carefully. Mostly large sedans. Often they are polished Aluminum.
I would be nice if the Sonic RS (or even LTZ trim) would also get this engine – if not the 1.6L. If it will fit into the Encore, it will fit into the Sonic and allow for increase scale to justify the added cost.
The Sonic RS really needs this engine. The decals just do not get it for what is too look as a performance model. It also would not hurt the MPG.
Now I swear this is just a spritzed up version of my 2003 VIBE with a new grill front end and such and probably tail lights. I can’t believe they cut that model just because Pontiac brand was sunset set and here we are what 12 years later with almost the same look on the outside shell…wonder what the inside looks like. The Vibe then made in a joint venture with toyota in the now tesla factor was a great and very reliable car. Just brakes and tires needed to be changed. Now a volt owner.
Well as you surmised the Vibe died because Pontiac died as well as the Toyota it was based on so there was no reason to keep a slow seller like it around.
As for the Encore it has proven very popular and it is less car like with the higher seating.
As for the Tesla where is the SUV we were promised 3 years ago that has doors that will dump snow on people in the back? Also where is the 3 model that also was promised by now?
You have one car that sells in small numbers [Yes their numbers are small] that if you want to go fast you have to spend $126,000 for the AWD and then spend another $10,000 for a bigger battery. Then if you have to drive anywhere you have to find a super charger or get a hotel that will let you plug in. Tesla has done well but they have a long ways to go as it is still early in the game.
Nothing in common here with the Vibe… global GM effort home-roomed in Germany.
Buick’s Encore should get the 2.0L turbo diesel from Chevy’s Cruze Diesel as while it wouldn’t offer better performance, it will give the Encore better mileage.
One has to wonder what’s with the fake hood louvers and how much trouble would it be to install something functional.