2018 Buick Encore Essence vs. Preferred
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Buick Encore Essence and 2018 Buick Encore Preferred contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2018 Buick Encore Essence and the 2018 Buick Encore Preferred.
When we compare the 2018 Buick Encore Essence's and the 2018 Buick Encore Preferred's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Buick Encore Essence has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. The 2018 Buick Encore Essence and 2018 Buick Encore Preferred have the same fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Buick Encore Essence's and the 2018 Buick Encore Preferred's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Buick Encore Essence is a better car than the 2018 Buick Encore Preferred.
Pricing: A used 2018 Buick Encore Essence ranges from $8,495 to $17,998 while a used 2018 Buick Encore Preferred is priced between $8,681 to $17,998.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2018 Buick Encore Essence and the 2018 Buick Encore Preferred both lose 48.9 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Buick Encore is 7.9 out of 10. Buick Encore is ranked 3 out of 12 Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings. Out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs, the Buick Encore is ranked 14 and the Buick Encore is ranked 14 based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Buick Encore is 7.7 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2018 Buick Encore Essence and the 2018 Buick Encore Preferred makes 138 horsepower. Both the Essence and the Preferred are rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Buick Encore has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
29100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
33743
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
22990 - 41800
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
33743
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
22990 - 41800
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13288
Price Range:
8495 - 17998
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
17252
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
13524 - 19658
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
42
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
23
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13233
Price Range:
8681 - 17998
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
17252
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
13524 - 19658
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
167
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
78
Buick Encore Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Buick Encore Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Buick Encore Essence
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
6.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
3.7 - 6.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.04
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Buick Encore Preferred
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
6.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
3.7 - 6.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.04
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.1086489584282804
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1.1 - 8.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.1086489584282804
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1.1 - 8.8
Buick Encore Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
15 out of / 68Ranking
17 out of / 68Ranking
29 out of / 68Ranking
36 out of / 68Ranking
55 out of / 68Ranking
60 out of / 68Ranking
66 out of / 68Buick Encore Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
15 out of / 68Ranking
17 out of / 68Ranking
29 out of / 68Ranking
36 out of / 68Ranking
55 out of / 68Ranking
60 out of / 68Ranking
66 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Buick Encore Trim Levels
Base, Preferred, Preferred II, Premium, Sport Touring
Other Buick Encore Trim Levels
Base, Essence, Preferred II, Premium, Sport Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
6 years / 70000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
138 hp @ 4900 rpm
Torque:
148 foot-lbs @ 1850 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.043 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
138 hp @ 4900 rpm
Torque:
148 foot-lbs @ 1850 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.043 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 33 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
378 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 33 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
378 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.6 inches
Cargo Space:
18.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
48.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.6 inches
Cargo Space:
18.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
48.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3237 lbs
Width:
69.9 inches
Height:
65.3 inches
Length:
168.4 inches
Wheelbase:
100.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3237 lbs
Width:
69.9 inches
Height:
65.3 inches
Length:
168.4 inches
Wheelbase:
100.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P215/55R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P215/55R18
