The Buick Encore does 29.1 mpg combined (27.1 city, 31.8 highway), which works out to about $1,320 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.3L 3-cyl does 30.4 mpg while 1.4L 4-cyl does 28.3 — a difference of $94 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Buick Encore engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3L 3-cyl | 29.4 / 31.4 | 2020–2026 | $1,263 | |
| 1.2L 3-cyl | 29 / 31 | 2022–2023 | $1,280 | |
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 25.6 / 32.1 | 2013–2022 | $1,357 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.110 |
| Fuel per year | $1,320 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,600 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$192 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,147 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 27.1 mpg | $1,417 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.8 mpg | $1,208 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.7 mpg (17%) | Typical for its type |
How the Encore changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 / 31 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2025 | 29 / 31 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2024 | 29 / 31 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2023 | 29 / 31 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2022 | 26.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2021 | 27.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2020 | 27.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2019 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2018 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2017 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2016 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2015 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2014 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2013 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Buick Encore get?
29.1 mpg combined on average — 27.1 in the city and 31.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2026.
How much does a Buick Encore cost in fuel per year?
About $1,320 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,600 over five years, or 0.110 dollars a mile.
Which Encore engine is the most economical?
The 1.3L 3-cyl at 30.4 mpg, against 28.3 for the 1.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $94 a year.
Is the Encore good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.