2016 Buick Encore Touring Sport a 'More Spirited' Crossover

Craig Cole
by Craig Cole

Buick has introduced a special, sportier version of its subcompact Encore crossover, the Sport Touring model.

On the exterior, this tiny people hauler gains a winged rear spoiler, 18-inch aluminum wheels and body-color door handles. However, its overall design doesn’t change much, which means it still looks like it was inspired by Vivaldi … the potato cultivar, not the classical composer. Painted in its signature hue of Deep Espresso Brown Metallic, it still resembles a spud, for better or worse.

Design enhancements aside, the Encore Sport Touring is motivated by an all-new 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that features direct injection and stop/start technology. It churns out 153 horses and 177 lb-ft of torque. If you’re keeping track, that’s 11 percent more power and a 20 percent increase in twist compared to the standard engine. Its dance partner is a six-speed automatic transmission.

SEE ALSO: Buick Encore Review

Coddling the driver and passengers are a number of appealing features. Standard equipment includes a voice-activated infotainment system with a seven-inch display, 4G LTE connectivity, a rearview camera and dual-zone climate control. Fog lamps, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring are also included at no extra cost, as are many other items.

Additionally, customers get 10 standard airbags and a front passenger seat that folds flat so the Encore can accommodate lengthy cargo, items up to eight-feet long. All-wheel drive, an upscale Bose audio system and a moonroof are also on the options menu.

The 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring goes on sale at dealerships this fall. Pricing information has not yet been released.

Discuss this story on our Buick Encore Forum.

Craig Cole
Craig Cole

Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).

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  • Chuck Chuck on Jul 21, 2015

    This engine should be standard and a real Sporty engine should get the name

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