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2026 Buick Encore

Preferred AWD

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What the Preferred adds over the Preferred

Spec	Preferred	Preferred
Curb weight (maximum)	3023 lbs	3255 lbs
Curb weight (minimum)	3023 lbs	3255 lbs
Horsepower	137 hp	155 hp
Torque	162 lb-ft	174 lb-ft
Engine type (full description)	ECOTEC 1.2L Turbo I-3	ECOTEC 1.3L Turbo I-3
MPG (city)	29 mpg	26 mpg
MPG (combined)	30 mpg	27 mpg
MPG (highway)	31 mpg	28 mpg
Rear suspension type	Compound Crank	Compound Crank; Watts link
Final drive ratio	5.5	3.2
Transmission type	Continuously Variable Transmission	automatic

Specifications

Source: manufacturer press kit

Brakes

Front brake type	ventilated disc
Rear brake type	solid disc

Cargo

Cargo volume behind 1st row	50.2 cu-ft
Cargo volume behind 2nd row	23.5 cu-ft

Dimensions Exterior

Overall height	64.1 in
Overall length	171.2 in
Overall width	71.4 in
Wheelbase	102 in

Engine Basics

Aspiration	twin turbo
Cylinder count	3
Fuel injection system	gdi mpi
Engine type (full description)	ECOTEC 1.3L Turbo I-3
Valve configuration	DOHC 16-Valve

Engine Output

Horsepower	155 hp
Torque	174 lb-ft

Fuel Economy

MPG (city)	26 mpg
MPG (combined)	27 mpg
MPG (highway)	28 mpg

Fuel System

Fuel tank capacity

13.2 gal

Headroom

Front headroom

39.7 in

Legroom

Front legroom	40.9 in
Third-row legroom	36 in

Shoulder Room

Front shoulder room	55.4 in
Third-row shoulder room	53.6 in

Steering

Steering type	Electric power-assisted column / rack-and-pinion
Turning radius (curb-to-curb)	18.4 ft

Suspension

Front suspension type	MacPherson Strut
Rear suspension type	Compound Crank; Watts link

Tires

Tire size

225/55R18

Transmission

Final drive ratio	3.2
Transmission speeds	9
Transmission type	automatic

Weights

Curb weight (maximum)	3255 lbs
Curb weight (minimum)	3255 lbs

Wheels

Wheel diameter	18 in
Wheel material	aluminum

Standard & optional equipment

Source: manufacturer press kit

Safety15 std · 3 opt

Front Pedestrian Braking
Forward Collision Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
HD Surround Vision optional
Head-curtain airbags for front and rear seating positions
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front and rear seating positions
ABS and brake life monitoring
Automatic Emergency Braking
Following Distance Indicator
Frontal and knee airbags for driver and front passenger
HD Rear Vision Camera
IntelliBeam auto high beams
Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
Passenger Sensing System
Adaptive Cruise Control optional
Rear Park Assist optional
Tire Pressure Monitor System; tire pressure monitor includes tire fill alert

Exterior3 std · 0 opt

18-inch aluminum wheels (standard on Sport Touring and Preferred)
Tire inflator kit
16" spare tire (now available on all trims, includes 16" spare wheel)

Powertrain6 std · 0 opt

AWD
FWD
9-speed automatic transmission — AWD
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) — FWD
ECOTEC 1.2L Turbo I-3 (137 hp / 162 lb-ft) — Preferred FWD
ECOTEC 1.3L Turbo I-3 (155 hp / 174 lb-ft) — FWD and AWD

Chassis3 std · 0 opt

Compound Crank rear suspension; Watts link (AWD models)
Electric power-assisted column / rack-and-pinion steering
MacPherson Strut front suspension

Cargo0 std · 1 opt

Accessory hitch (required for trailering, 1000 lb / 454 kg capacity) optional

Ranked by what shoppers ask about first; standard equipment before options.

Transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit for the 2026 Encore. Confirm with the window sticker for a specific unit.

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Common questions about the Preferred

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

What does the 2026 Buick Encore Preferred add over the Preferred?

Against the Preferred, 11 published specifications differ. Both lists are on this page, taken from the manufacturer's own press material.