2014 Buick Encore

Disclosure: Buick let me test drive a 2014 Encore for a week!

Ready for a crossover, but want the smallest one you can find? Enter the 2014 Buick Encore! The Encore measures in at less than 170 inches in length and combines a high up SUV driving position with exceptional gas mileage and luxury features that will not break the bank!

The Encore comes standard with features you normally have to pay for, such as18-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power driver’s seat, rearview camera, remote keyless entry, cruise control and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

Also included is Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system with a 7-in color touchscreen.

The large back seat can easily accommodate two tall adults with plenty of leg room, however I was not able to squeeze three car seats back there. If you have two younger children in car seats and an older (10+) child that is in seat belt only, you could squeeze the older child in the middle, but they would not be very comfortable.

Trunk space is decent for a crossover. In the picture below you will see a Britax B-Agile, which is a rather small stroller. With the B-Agile back there, there is still plenty of room for grocery getting and kids gear.

The Buick Encore come standard with a wide array of safety features. They include dual front airbags, driver and passenger knee airbags, side curtain airbags and seat-mounted side torso airbags. A rearview camera is also standard, as are 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system.