It’s Buick’s best selling vehicle. And Encore’s dandy handling, upscale cabin materials, and spryness were on full display during a week-long test drive. With a slew of new-for-2017 items, the reasons to like this crossover utility vehicle jump a notch. The change list includes a new hood as part of a revamped front-end design, a new gauge cluster as part of a redesigned instrument panel, push-button start, redesigned 18-inch aluminum wheels, and the available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Encore is offered with front wheel drive or all wheel drive in five trim levels.

Powering Encore is a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 138 horsepower at 4900 rpm and 148 pounds-feet of torque at 1850 rpm. Engine mates to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Driver and passengers have plenty of head, shoulder, and leg space. And the cargo space is plentiful with 18.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.4 cubic feet when the 60/40 rear seat is folded down. (Front passenger seat will also fold flat.) The test driven Encore Sport Touring with all wheel drive collects estimated mpg of 26 city/31 highway and carries a MSRP of $27,065.