2014 Buick Encore

small SUV / 4-door SUV

2014 Buick Encore 4-door SUV
2013 Buick Encore shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
P
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Side: original test
G
Side: updated test
A
Roof strength
G
Head restraints & seats
G

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria Rating
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Basic

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2013-14 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Buick Encore 4-door 4wd

The Buick Encore was introduced in the 2013 model year. Two tests of the Encore were conducted because the onboard (car interior) cameras failed during the first test. As a result, the restraints and dummy kinematics rating is based primarily on the second test. Injury and structural ratings are based on both tests.

Evaluation criteria Rating
P
Structure and safety cage
P
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
A
Lower leg/foot
P
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
In the second test, the dummy’s head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side as the steering column moved 18 cm to the right, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward side structure and resulting in little airbag cushioning for the chest. (In the first test, the steering column moved 23 cm to the right.) Additionally, the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummy’s head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed too late during the second crash and does not have sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with forward side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag deployed in the first test but not in the second test.
P

Action shot taken during the second of two small overlap frontal crash tests.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space wasn't maintained well (second test shown).

During the second crash, the dummy's head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off to the left as the steering column moved to the right. The seat belt allowed the dummy to move too far forward, as is evident from the gap between the seat back and the dummy's torso.

Door hinge pillar and instrument panel intrusion was extensive and contributed to a high risk of injuries to the left knee and left lower leg and a moderate risk to the left thigh (second test shown).

Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2013-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Buick Encore 4-door 4wd

The Buick Encore was introduced in the 2013 model year and the Chevrolet Trax was introduced in the 2015 model year.

Evaluation criteria Rating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from hitting hard structures during rebound by the side curtain airbag.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. The deployed knee airbag is resting on the dummy's lower legs.

Technical measurements for this test

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2013-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Buick Encore 4-door 4wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags

The Buick Encore was introduced in the 2013 model year and the Chevrolet Trax was introduced in the 2015 model year.

Evaluation criteria Rating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2013-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Buick Encore Preferred 4-door 4wd

The Buick Encore was introduced in the 2013 model year and the Chevrolet Trax was introduced in the 2015 model year.

Evaluation criteria Rating
Overall evaluation
A
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
M
Pelvis
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis
G
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbags.

Technical measurements for this test

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2013-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Buick Encore 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
G
Curb weight 3,327 lbs
Peak force 15,414 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 4.63

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seats

Overall evaluation
G
Dynamic rating
G
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

  • Optional Premium Trim

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2013-19 models

Basic
Basic
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • Autobrake not available.

About the original front crash prevention test