Buick Encore Towing Capacity & Features

SUVs are enjoying a constantly growing popularity among automotive buyers, mainly because of their exceptional versatility. Sport utility vehicles can be driven on most terrains, have plenty of interior space, are elegant and comfortable, and also have enough power for towing. The Buick Encore has all of that, and its towing capacity can prove to be an essential factor for many buyers.

What Is Towing Capacity and How Do You Use It?

Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can pull. There are many elements that determine how much a vehicle can tow, such as its size, weight, engine power, and torque, as well as various enhancements to the vehicle’s suspension and traction systems. Larger vehicles with powerful engines typically have more towing capacity than smaller ones.

Even if your trailer weight is lower than the vehicle’s maximum towing capacity, you will still need to be careful and take extra safety measures when towing. First of all, you need to make sure the trailer is attached correctly and that your side mirrors are set in a way that allows you to see behind both sides of the trailer. Then, you need to start slowly. Accelerating too fast may destabilize your trailer and make it harder to control. Driving with an attached trailer needs to be as smooth as possible and without any sudden moves.

You should remember that although the weight of your trailer is the most important factor when determining the maximum towing capacity, the weight of the stuff you have inside the vehicle is also important. Basically, any excess weight inside your vehicle results in a lower maximum weight for your trailer. So the next time you use a trailer, remember that any unnecessary items in your vehicle will make towing more difficult.

What Is the Buick Encore’s Towing Capacity?

While the regular Buick Encore isn’t rated for towing, the Encore GX has a maximum towing capacity of up to 1,000 pounds. This opens up many possibilities for Encore GX owners. If you always wanted to have your own small boat but there was no place where you could store it near your local lake or river, you can now simply keep it in your own garage at home and tow it to anywhere you want to go. Also, there are many small camper trailers that weigh between 500 and 1,000 pounds, meaning that you can go on a multi-day road trip in your Buick Encore.

The Encore GX’s towing capacity can also come in handy when you need to carry cargo around for various reasons, such as moving. You may not trust the moving company with all your valuable belongings, and 1,000 pounds of towing capacity means that you can carry lots of personal items in a cargo trailer. You can carry larger items like heavy furniture or even other vehicles. A motorcycle, for example, has an average weight of around 400 pounds, and even a larger one doesn’t usually weigh more than 600 pounds. Even when the trailer’s own weight is added, it’s still lower than 1,000 pounds.

What Features Might Enhance the Encore’s Towing Capacity?

One of the most important elements that determine a vehicle’s maximum towing capacity is its engine power. All Buick Encore trims are equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce up to 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.

Also standard are the six-speed automatic transmission and the front-wheel-drive system, while all-wheel drive is optional. The Encore also has an optional accessory hitch for lightweight racks, great for carrying some bikes. These factors might not be what you need to tow a heavy trailer, but they’ll still work well if you need to transport some heavy items from the hardware store or head out to the trails, especially on rough terrains and slippery surfaces.

The Buick Encore’s GX version is larger and has two engine choices that are slightly more powerful than the one on the regular Encore, making it more suitable for towing. The standard engine is a turbocharged 1.2-cylinder with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, with the second engine choice being a turbocharged 1.3-liter with up to 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are equipped with continuously variable automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive versions, with all-wheel-drive models receiving a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Towing for the Encore GX is done with the help of an optional tow hitch. You can also add a four-wire electrical harness that connects your trailer to the vehicle’s battery so that you can easily use the trailer’s running lights, turn signals, and brake lights.

What Buick Encore Driver Aids Can Help Me Tow Safely?

Aside from features like engine power and the special trailer hitch, the Buick Encore is also equipped with several active safety features designed to help the driver get a better view of what’s happening around the vehicle, issue alerts in case of imminent danger, and even help the driver avoid a potential hazard. These are all useful even without a trailer attached to your Encore but are even more important when the trailer limits your maneuverability and visibility.

The forward collision mitigation system will warn you in case a frontal collision is imminent and even apply the brakes for you in certain situations. This is especially important when carrying a trailer, as the added weight significantly reduces your braking distance. The lane departure mitigation system will warn you if you drift out of your lane and will automatically steer you back in your normal position. It can be crucial to realize you’re drifting out of your lane as soon as possible because any sudden move can be dangerous when towing a trailer.

The Buick Encore and the Encore GX are excellent subcompact crossover SUVs with plenty of features and technology. Although comfort and versatility are their strong points, they can do a good job when you need to haul some extra gear. If you found this article useful, you should head down to your local dealership and test drive an Encore today.