![]() ![]() ![]() My wife is short ( 5'5") and our driving positions are fairly close in this thing. If you can accept the size and understand the limitations that come with that and that 30+ mpg out of an AWD SUV (CUV) usually means sacrificing the power of a V6 or large displacement 4 cylinder, then you'll find yourself falling in love with the Encore. I'm really trying to discuss negatives I've found with the car, but in reality, I'm really having to think hard of things I don't like about the car. It's very nimble, the AWD system doesn't seem to impair the ability to maneuver tight radius turns either. I worried that the short wheel base might be a problem for stability as I found I wasn't a fan of 2 door Jeep wranglers when I had driven one, but it really doesn't affect the handling of the car at all. They all come with a rear parking camera anyway, so use it and the side mirrors and you'll do fine. The side mirrors work well for viewing behind the left and right sides though, so if you are used to using your mirrors as they are intended, the rear C pillars become less of an annoyance. The rearview mirror is also small, but it gives a clear view of what you can see behind you. One other complaint would be rear visibility.the C pillars are pretty big, and the back window small. Buick does a pretty good job of insulating you from most of the noise, but the motor isn't going to inspire anyone with a penchant for performance or exhaust note, but it does sip fuel decently for an AWD potato. The only real negatives I can give about this car is the lack luster performance of the motor and the buzzing noise you get out of small displacement 4 cylinder motors as they rev up. Long distance driving was a noted plus, which for us was important due to the desire to begin doing more out of state driving. I did a lot of research before settling on this car, and owner reviews have been overwhelmingly positive for comfort and owner satisfaction. The raw cost of replacement parts for the Encore are reasonably priced, particularly due to the fact that the Encore chassis is shared with 4 other models around the world.that helps keep the cost down. Currently the weather has been -35F with highs of -10 and it starts right up and takes very little time for the engine to warm up and get to heating the interior. I like that the Cargo cover stores in the vehicle just by sliding it up and down behind the back eat engineering Buick! Overall what put me on buying the Encore was the fuel mileage ( averaging 27 in the winter and fill ups are only 11.5 Gallons! ) and we are averaging 250 mil plus per tank. Cargo space with the seats up is limited with the seats up, but it's tidy and tight and gives you plenty of room to do a weeks worth of grocery shopping for 2. Newer models have a touch screen infotainment center, but after a couple of days getting used to the large button layout and center control knob, setting up the radio as well as the personalizations this car has to offer was pretty easy to figure out, and fun to play with. No adjustment on the level of heat though, would have liked to have that. There are 4 zones that heat up, so you can find a good spot to heat your hands and maintain control, as well as off the zones to take a break. Ours has a heated steering wheel as well, and as my wife said shortly after driving it "every car we buy from here on out is going to get expensive." as in, heated steering wheel is no longer an option. Heated seats are HOT at the highest level and don't take long to get there and you can easily find a setting to turn it down to for long term driving comfort. I can't … say enough for its winter performance. Around corners in town, I can encourage a little bit of slide, but it corrects it immediately and brings the car to a solid heading. I haven't had a situation where it didn't just get going. Active stability, ABS and AWD make it a hoot to drive in the snow. What I mean is, while it's not the quickest to accelerate, our AWD Encore Premium gets out of its own way well enough.
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