2021 Buick Encore: Here’s What’s New And Different
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The 2021 Buick Encore represents the ninth model year of the first-generation Encore subcompact crossover. It receives minor changes and updates for the 2021 model year. Here’s exactly what’s new and different.
Model Line
For the 2021 model year, the Sport Touring and Essence trim levels have been deleted, which includes the following models:
- Sport Touring (1SH) – Front-Wheel and All-Wheel-Drive
- Essence (1SL) – Front-Wheel and All-Wheel-Drive
That leaves two trim levels as part of the 2021 model year lineup:
- Encore (1SV) – Front-Wheel-Drive
- Preferred (1SB) – Front-Wheel and All-Wheel-Drive
Exterior
On the outside, the 2021 Buick Encore sees the deletion of three exterior colors and the addition of two new exterior colors:
New hues:
- Dark Moon Blue Metallic
- Cinnabar Metallic
Deleted colors:
- Winterberry Red Metallic
- Deep Azure Metallic
- Satin Steel Metallic
2020 Buick Encore Dark Moon Blue Metallic
2020 Buick Encore Cinnabar Metallic
In total, the 2021 Buick Encore offers six exterior colors:
- Dark Moon Blue Metallic
- Quicksilver Metallic
- Summit White
- Ebony Twilight Metallic
- Cinnabar Metallic
- White Frost Tricoat
In addition the Encore sees the deletion of the 18-inch machined-face alloy wheels with Light Argent Metallic pockets (RPO code RDK).
Interior
On the inside, the 2021 Encore welcomes a revised Safety Package II, deleting the air ionizer while continuing to include the following features:
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Departure Warning
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Rainsense Wipers
The package’s RPO code was also changed from PCL to PCX.
Powertrain
The 2021 Buick Encore initially offered the same turbocharged 1.4L LUV I4 found under the hood of the 2020 model, however, the unit has since been replaced by the newer 1.4 LE2 I4, which is also turbocharged. The new engine is available with an engine block heater, and offers 155 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque compared to the LUV’s 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.
The new powerplant is still paired with GM’s six-speed automatic transmission, with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations.
Availability
Production of the 2021 Buick Encore began in late Q3 2020 at the following facilities:
- GM Dong Yue plant in Yantai, Shandong, China supplying the Chinese domestic market.
- GM Bupyeong plant in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, South Korea supplying North American markets.
As such, 2021 units are already on dealer lots. Looking ahead, we expect the first-generation Encore to live on for a handful of more model years.
The vehicle will be replaced by an all-new, second-generation model that will likely be the same model as currently sold in China.
Until that model arrives, GM’s strategy appears to be to streamline the current Encore as much as possible in order to make much more accessible than the still-new Encore GX.
It’s one of two new hues for the 2021 Encore. It’s one of two new hues for the 2021 Encore. Encore News
2021 Buick Encore Gets New Cinnabar Metallic Color: First Look
2021 Buick Encore Gets New Dark Moon Blue Color: First Look
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It will be the wife’s Sonic replacement when the time comes.
“The vehicle will be replaced by an all-new, second-generation model that will likely be the same model as currently sold in China.” Isn’t that model sold in China based on the GEM platform? why would they bring that to the US market when they could use the much more refined vss-f platform designed by the Koreans?
It wouldn’t surprise me to see lowercase gm money grab for high profits again, the way Mary and Biden love to exploit cheap labor and resources in China. However, I have a feeling it would only equate to more loss in U.S. market share in this segment. Maybe they should focus on producing a competitive, modern drivetrain for the current GX and Trailblazer.
You do realize that any, and I will type it again, any manufacturer that wants to sell in China must, and I will type it again, must make the vehicles in China. It is not about selling out, rather It’s about selling in a market and playing by their rules. If there are spin off benefits, so be it. The consumer will determine the popularity of a make or model.
“It’s about selling in a market and playing by their rules.” This sounds a lot like selling out. The problem with playing by China’s rules is that they don’t really have any and that makes for an unfair trade advantage.
The sales for the GX and Trailblazer are really not all too stellar. If you expect high demand for an even less competitive and cut-rate Chinese built vehicle, I think you are sadly mistaken.
If you replace your wife’s quality US made Sonic with some chintzy made in China gem platform I think you’ll be sorely disappointed.
The current older Encore is fine, but I don’t have much confidence in any of the new junk that lowercase gm is producing in the b/c segment right now.
The Korean vss-f platform that underpins the GX and TB offers pretty good ride and handling. However, the Chinese designed, Mexican made drivetrain is noticably less refined than the Opel based, US made drivetrains found in the Encore, Trax, Sonic, Cruze, etc.
Why would I lie? Just honest opinions, that are borderline facts.
Rollover, Walt! Fetch! Now, chase your tail!
Good Boy, Walt!
Please comment on what the first generation 2022 Encore will bring when you know. I am going to trade in my 2016 Encore and want to see if it worth waiting for the 2022 for additional feature availability. Thanks.
As I stated, the market place will determine what makes and models succeed. Country of origin plays little role nowadays. There is a huge BMW plant in North eastern China, they are doing very well with Chinese assembly. They buy them because of the brand, not because of assembly point. Plenty of Chinese made parts there. Designs are usually done in head offices, not by a China design bureau.
i never understood why each individual country cant make their own vehicles for their own citizens…i mean each country makes its own ships, tanks, planes,(I think) etc…
Not really true. One of America’s biggest exports is military equipment, planes, tanks etc. Same for the Russians.
Back before gm was lowercase they did offer some awesome cars manufactured right here in the US. The Cruze and Sonic were both cars that had relatively great reputations and were backed by fantastic warranties. Accused racist, Mary Barra, decided those vehicles weren’t profitable enough, I guess. Hard not to vilify this woman as she outsources US jobs to the lowest bidder and focuses solely on fattening the pocket of board members. Systemic corruption at it’s finest.
A great car if you’re a woman or somebody who acts like one.
Nothing wrong with guys expressing their feminine side. We all have it in us.
It’s so tall, narrow and ungainly that it looks tipsy. So wimpy in that very special way that appeals so strongly to the Chinese market. They should’ve come up with a cute name for it. Something like “Dawdler” or “Sneaker” or “Fembot”. It actually resembles a sneaker.