Direct competitors for the 2014 Buick Encore are few and far between.
The Ford C-Max is larger inside but its shape is the same blend of five-door hatchback and crossover, albeit without all-wheel drive, and its hybrid powertrain delivers far better gas mileage.
The Ford Escape offers all-wheel drive but is considerably larger and more fun to drive.
Both Fords have surprisingly attractive interiors that are close to Buick's level of refinement.
The MINI Countryman is sized closer to the Encore, and its turbo engines make it much more of a performance car than the Buick will ever be.
The BMW X1 is similarly sporty, as well as pricier.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a size larger than the Encore; it too has a turbo four, along with good packaging and nimble handling.
The Fiat 500L has a glassy cabin, unusual styling, and somewhat better performance than the Encore.
But none of the contenders are precisely in the Buick's niche--premium subcompact crossover--so for the moment, it's a category of one.
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 2014 Buick EncoreBrowse Used Listings |  2014 BMW X1Browse Used Listings |  2014 Ford C-MaxBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Volkswagen TiguanBrowse Used Listings |  2014 MINI Cooper CountrymanBrowse Used Listings |  2014 FIAT 500LBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2014 Buick Encore is one of very few subcompact premium crossovers, and it mostly does well in that role--but it could use more power. |
The 2014 BMW X1 has plenty of style and enthusiasm, although it's a little short on some of the versatility and utility you might expect. |
Compared to the Toyota Prius, the 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi provide more driving enjoyment as well as a more comfortable, stylish interior -- even if they don't quite measure up in real-world fuel efficiency. |
The 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan offers just about everything a compact crossover should, though its a little conservative in style and feel. |
The 2014 MINI Countryman puts the brand's fun-to-drive spirit into the body of a versatile compact crossover. |
Tall wagons aren't a thing here, yet, but the 2014 Fiat 500L gives us one more reason to ask, why not? |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $24,160 | $30,900 | $24,170 | $23,305 | $22,100 | $19,195 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 23 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 40 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Turbocharged I4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Gas/Electric I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Large Cars | Large Cars | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Compact Cars | Small Station Wagon |
| Style Name | |||||
| FWD 4-Door | RWD 4-Door sDrive28i | 5-Door HB SE | 2WD 4-Door Manual S | FWD 4-Door | 5-Door HB Pop |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sport Utility Vehicle | Sports Activity Vehicle | Hatchback | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 Buick Encore vs. 2014 BMW X1 | 2014 Buick Encore vs. 2014 Ford C-Max | 2014 Buick Encore vs. 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2014 Buick Encore vs. 2014 MINI Cooper Countryman | 2014 Buick Encore vs. 2014 FIAT 500L | |
