The first generation Buick Encore is essentially the North American version of the Opel Mokka. The First generation Encore debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 10, 2012, and went on sale at the end of 2012. It is available in front wheel drive and all wheel drive versions. The 2013 through 2015 Buick Encore was offered in Base, Convenience, Leather, and Premium level models with the A14NET 1.4-liter inline-four multi port fuel injected VVT turbo gasoline engine rated at 138 hp @ 4900 rpm coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission. For 2016, a new Sport Touring second tier model was added which included unique 18" aluminium alloy wheels with midnight silver finish, rear spoiler, body color door handles, remote start, fog lamps, and a new more powerful GM B14XFT Ecotec inline four cylinderdirect fuel injectionVVT engine rated at 153 hp @ 5600 rpm in the Buick Encore literature. However, Opel rates the engine at 112 kW @ 4900-6000 rpm. The Ecotec direct injection engine package includes Stop/Start technology to improve fuel economy and was made available as an option on all but the base model for 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the model levels became Base, Preferred, Sport Touring, Preferred II, Essence, and Premium.
2017 facelift
For 2017, the Buick Encore received revised headlights and bumpers, LED tail lights, and the interior received a revised dash and gauge cluster with a 4.2 inch information screen, a revised center stack, and infotainment system with an 8-inch frameless screen. The faux fender ports, marketed as VentiPorts on models from 2013 to 2016, were deleted. 2013–2018 owner's manuals for the Buick Encore state that the vehicle is not designed for trailer towing. However, the 2013 through 2018 owner's manuals for the Opel counterpart of the Buick Encore, the Opel Mokka, do provide information for trailer towing. This is due to the different regulations in Europe and the United States. The 2018 Opel Mokka X brochure includes a data table indicating allowable trailer weights for Mokka X vehicles, having various FWD and AWD powertrain configurations, including the 1.4-liter engines coupled with automatic transmission. An aftermarket class II 1 to 1/4" receiver style hitch rated for 3500 lbs. maximum gross trailer weight is available for the Buick Encore. The Buick Encore is assembled at the GM Korea plant in Bupyeong, South Korea and marketed in North America. The Chinese market Buick Encore is assembled in Shanghai.
Safety
Second generation (2020)
The second-generation Buick Encore was revealed alongside the Buick Encore GX during the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It will be available with either a 1.0 liter inline-3 turbo petrol engine producing or a 1.3 liter inline-3 turbo petrol engine producing. The second-generation Encore will not be exported to North America, since it uses the GEM platform intended for "emerging" markets. The first-generation Encore will continue to be sold in North America instead, except in Mexico where it has been discontinued. The larger Buick Encore GX will be added to both the Chinese and North American markets in 2020.
