Many drivers still think of the Buick as an old-school brand that had a bunch of fallen vehicles. But now, America’s oldest carmaker is on a mission to offer us with more fun and modernized cars to choose from. One of the most appealing options in Buick’s current lineup is the Buick Encore. This subcompact SUV is so cute and charming that it’s easy to overlook the archaic Buick emblem. If a chill city driver is what you want, the 2020 Buick Encore might be the right choice for you.

The 2020 Encore is calm and collected 

The Encore looks dashing as it scoots around town and is handsome enough to be perched outside of some of the glitziest storefronts. While the Encore is admittedly stylish, reviews on what’s actually under the hood are mixed. This isn’t the most powerful option in the subcompact SUV class but it’s just fine for city driving. The Encore is exceptionally smooth and tranquil for both drivers and passengers. Its emergency handling capabilities are excellent too.  Plus, this Buick’s short width and length make it super easy to park.

This subcompact SUV gets its power from a 138-hp, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The main weakness to be aware of performance-wise though is that it takes a little longer for the Encore to accelerate to highway speeds. It goes from 0-60 mph in about 11 seconds. This crossover has a fuel economy rating of 26 mpg overall which is about average for the subcompact SUV class. 

Safety and reliability are notable highlights too

Consumer Reports gave the 2020 Encore a good reliability score based on its testing across 17 potential trouble spots. J.D. Power gave this model a great dependability score too. At this time, there are no recalls on the 2020 Encore and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave this crossover a perfect crash-test safety rating.

Buick Encore trim levels 

Overall, the Encore has an upscale feeling car cabin that can seat up to four people comfortably. There are two sets of LATCH connectors in the rear seat. But as U.S. World and News Report notes, the Encore’s back row can be very tight when it comes to installing a rear-facing child car seat. 

This crossover is available in four different trim levels: Base, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence. The base model starts at $23,200 and comes with a nice cloth interior and a long list of desirable in car-electronics features. All Encore models come standard with a user-friendly infotainment system that is anchored with an 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard infotainment features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Siri Eyes Free, and a wifi hotspot.

For more tech features, you can upgrade to a Bose speaker system, navigation, and HD Radio. Advanced safety equipment such as forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning are available as upgrades too.