It’s no secret that Buick has spent its energy over the past few years to transition its brand from being one known to carry those who have reached retirement age to a more active and energetic brand. The difference in the Buick models of old and the ones we see now are vast in many ways. Consider that the 1970’s were mired with Buick land yachts which were nearly twenty feet in length, weighed in at more than 2.5 tons and typically only provided you with around 13 mpg the models produced today are vastly different from what we saw in the past.

One of the models that show off this difference better than any other is the Buick Encore. This subcompact SUV is positioned at the bottom of the SUV lineup to be the smallest model in the Buick stable. The Encore comes in at a length that only shows up at 14 feet, which is actually shorter than the current Honda Civic, and a curb weight of only 3,300 pounds. These two factors alone make a huge difference from those land boats that were sailing along in the 1970’s guzzling up all the gas that could be put in them.

Because of this diminutive stature, the Buick Encore offers us only two small engines to have the power we need. The first of these two is the 1.4-liter four-cylinder that comes in at 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque while the other is a turbocharged version of the same that pushed the power up to 153 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. You can choose to have FWD or AWD with either one of these engines to make it easy for you to enjoy the control on the road and the ability to handle light trails with ease.

The transmission used for the Encore is a six-speed automatic that makes it easy to enjoy the fuel mileage of 27 city/33 hwy mpg. While these numbers are typical of today’s subcompact SUVs, this would have been unheard of in the days of the three-speed automatic transmission, V8 engine and massively heavy cars of the 1970s. This just shows you another way Buick has made a lengthy transformation over time from the large and lumbering vehicles of yesteryear to the active and energetic models that we see on the road today.

Even though most of the numbers for the Encore sound like typical performance numbers from nearly any subcompact, this is a premium vehicle and the interior feels premium in the way it’s been built. Because of the premium build of this vehicle, you’ll find leather seats that are heated and power-operated along with a host of great amenities that make a huge difference on the road. This comfortable, but small cabin is easy to enjoy and will accommodate two adults and two children with no problem at all. Riding inside also gives you the benefit of the quiet cabin that Buick has created for this small but amazing SUV.

Take a ride in the Buick Encore and enjoy the drive and the size of this light and small SUV while you remember what it was like to drive one of the land yachts that used to be a huge part of the landscape of vehicles we encountered on a daily basis. This little SUV give you the premium feel that you want from a Buick while also providing you with the fuel mileage you’ll love in a small vehicle. The Encore is a great example of how Buick has transformed from the models that used to be built to the ones that are built today.