2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring: Review, Specs & Features

by Alex Braham 58 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring. If you're looking for a compact SUV that blends a touch of luxury with practicality, this might just be the ride for you. We'll cover everything from its performance and features to its interior and overall driving experience. Buckle up, and let's get started!

Overview of the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring

The 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring carves out a unique niche in the crowded compact SUV segment. It's designed for those who want something a bit more upscale than your average small SUV but without the hefty price tag of a full-blown luxury vehicle. The Sport Touring trim adds a dash of sporty flair to the already stylish Encore, making it visually appealing and fun to drive. It combines fuel efficiency with a comfortable ride, making it a great choice for city dwellers and long-distance commuters alike. Buick aimed to create a vehicle that's easy to maneuver in tight spaces while still offering enough room for passengers and cargo, and they largely succeeded. The Encore Sport Touring stands out with its distinctive exterior accents, upgraded interior features, and a turbocharged engine that provides a little extra pep. This model year is particularly appealing because it refines many of the features that made the earlier Encores popular while adding a more modern and engaging driving experience. Overall, the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring is a well-rounded package that offers a blend of style, comfort, and practicality. This vehicle is perfect for individuals or small families looking for a reliable and enjoyable ride that doesn't break the bank.

Performance and Engine Specs

Let's talk about what's under the hood. The 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring boasts a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This little powerhouse delivers a respectable 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. While that might not sound like a lot, the turbocharger gives it enough oomph to feel peppy around town. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which provides smooth and timely shifts. One of the key advantages of this engine is its fuel efficiency. It achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, making it an economical choice for daily driving. The Sport Touring trim also features a slightly sportier suspension tuning compared to the base Encore, offering a more engaging driving experience. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to navigate through city streets and parking lots. While it's not a sports car by any means, the Encore Sport Touring offers a comfortable and controlled ride. The turbo engine provides ample power for merging onto the highway and passing other vehicles, ensuring you feel confident behind the wheel. The compact size of the Encore also contributes to its agility, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Overall, the performance of the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring is well-suited for its target audience, providing a balance of power, efficiency, and comfort.

Interior and Features

Stepping inside the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring, you'll find a cabin that's both stylish and functional. The interior design is clean and modern, with quality materials used throughout. The seats are comfortable and supportive, making long drives a breeze. The Sport Touring trim adds unique touches like contrasting stitching and sporty accents, giving the interior a more upscale feel. In terms of technology, the Encore Sport Touring comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen display, which houses Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system. This system includes features like Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and a rearview camera. Other notable features include keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Encore also offers a decent amount of cargo space for its size. With the rear seats up, you get around 18.8 cubic feet of storage, which expands to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This is enough space for groceries, luggage, or even a weekend getaway. The cabin is also relatively quiet, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning technology, which helps to minimize road and wind noise. Overall, the interior of the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring is a comfortable and well-equipped space that enhances the overall driving experience. The combination of stylish design, modern technology, and practical features makes it a pleasant place to spend time.

Exterior Design and Styling

The 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring stands out with its distinctive exterior design. It's a compact SUV with a sleek and modern look. The Sport Touring trim adds sporty accents like a unique grille, rear spoiler, and alloy wheels, giving it a more aggressive stance. The body lines are smooth and aerodynamic, contributing to its overall stylish appearance. One of the key design elements is the waterfall grille, which is a signature Buick styling cue. The headlights are also nicely integrated into the front fascia, giving the Encore a sophisticated look. The rear of the vehicle features wraparound taillights and a chrome accent strip, adding to its premium feel. The Sport Touring trim also includes body-colored door handles and side mirrors, which further enhance its cohesive design. The overall size of the Encore makes it easy to maneuver in urban environments, while its elevated ride height provides a commanding view of the road. The exterior design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it a standout in the compact SUV segment. Buick has successfully blended style and practicality, creating a vehicle that looks good and is easy to live with. The attention to detail in the exterior design reflects Buick's commitment to creating a premium driving experience. Overall, the exterior of the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring is a well-executed design that appeals to a wide range of buyers.

Safety Features

When it comes to safety, the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring has you covered. It comes standard with a range of safety features designed to protect you and your passengers. These include antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. The Encore also features a rearview camera, which makes parking and maneuvering in tight spaces much easier. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision alert. These advanced safety technologies help to alert the driver to potential hazards, reducing the risk of accidents. The Encore has also performed well in government and independent crash tests, earning high marks for its overall safety. The body structure is designed to absorb and dissipate impact energy, providing additional protection in the event of a collision. Overall, the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring is a safe and reliable vehicle that offers peace of mind to drivers and passengers alike. The combination of standard and available safety features, along with its strong crash test ratings, makes it a top choice in the compact SUV segment. Buick has prioritized safety in the design and engineering of the Encore, ensuring that it meets the highest standards for occupant protection. The inclusion of advanced safety technologies further enhances its safety credentials, making it a smart choice for families and individuals alike.

Driving Experience

The 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring offers a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. The ride is smooth and well-controlled, making it a great choice for daily commutes and long road trips. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in city traffic. The turbocharged engine provides ample power for merging onto the highway and passing other vehicles. The cabin is also relatively quiet, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning technology, which helps to minimize road and wind noise. The seats are comfortable and supportive, providing good lumbar support for long drives. The Encore also offers good visibility, thanks to its elevated ride height and large windows. Overall, the driving experience is refined and enjoyable, making it a pleasure to drive. The Encore strikes a good balance between comfort and performance, providing a smooth and controlled ride without sacrificing agility. The turbocharged engine delivers adequate power for most driving situations, while the light steering makes it easy to navigate through city streets. The quiet cabin further enhances the driving experience, reducing fatigue and making it easier to enjoy the ride. Overall, the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring is a well-rounded vehicle that offers a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience for both drivers and passengers.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, let's break down the pros and cons of the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring:

Pros:

  • Stylish exterior design
  • Comfortable and well-equipped interior
  • Fuel-efficient turbocharged engine
  • Available advanced safety features
  • Easy to maneuver in city traffic

Cons:

  • Engine can feel underpowered at times
  • Limited cargo space compared to some competitors
  • Infotainment system can be slow to respond
  • Some may find the ride too soft

Final Verdict

So, what's the final word on the 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring? Overall, it's a solid choice for those looking for a compact SUV that offers a touch of luxury and practicality. It's stylish, comfortable, and fuel-efficient, making it a great option for city dwellers and commuters. While it's not perfect, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile consideration in the crowded compact SUV segment. If you value style, comfort, and fuel efficiency, the Encore Sport Touring is definitely worth a look. Just be sure to test drive it and compare it to other vehicles in its class to see if it's the right fit for you.