Are you
looking for a crossover (CUV) in Charlotte? Let’s compare the 2017 Buick Encore with the
2016 Mini Cooper Countryman. Liberty Buick GMC in Matthews, NC of course
prefers the 2017 Buick Encore to the Mini Cooper Countryman- but don’t just
take our word for it!
There are
legitimate reasons why the Buick Encore is America’s best-selling compact sport
utility vehicle. Space, Interior/Exterior looks, and Safety/Reliability – these
are categories where the 2017
Buick Encore outclasses the Mini Cooper Countryman.
Space. A key ingredient for a modern day
CUV is roominess. The 2017 Buick Encore’s interior provides spacious seating
and plentiful room for storage and cargo, including the ability to fold down
both the back seats and the front passenger seat. This capability turns the
18.8 cubic-foot load bay into a nearly 50 cubic-foot area, perfect for the
weekend errands. The Countryman allows for 42 cubic-foot area with its seats
folded down. According to The Car Connection’s side-by-side comparison, the
interior of the 2017 Buick Encore surpasses the Mini Cooper Countryman in the
following categories: second shoulder room, front leg room, second leg room,
front shoulder room, and second head room. U.S. News and World Report noted
that the Mini Cooper “has one of the smallest cargo capacities in the class,
and you’ll be hard-pressed to find room for anything beyond a weekend’s worth
of luggage” and that “the cabin lacks any appreciable small-item storage
space.” Why feel cramped driving around Charlotte in a Mini?
Interior
Amenities. Much like roominess, the 2017 Buick Encore
defeats the Mini Cooper. Inside the Encore you will find a redesigned dashboard with an 8-inch diagonal color
touch screen with built in 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot that lets you stay tuned in with
all that is going on in Charlotte. You will also enjoy the Encore’s Buick
QuietTuning ™ and Active Noise Cancellation technologies. Other features
include keyless ignition, ambient lighting, rearview camera, and heated
mirrors.
The Exterior. Let’s be honest. The Mini Cooper
Countryman is a fine-looking British-style car. But this is America. The
handsome 2017 Buick Encore
comes with a redesigned front end with a new wing-designed grille and
newly-shaped lights and foglights. The Encore’s backside has been redesigned as
well – new LED taillights and a new bumper. Compared to the aptly named Mini,
the Encore is nearly 4 inches taller and over 6 inches longer.
Safety and
Reliability. The 2017 Buick Encore comes equipped with a
rearview camera and10 airbags. You can also upgrade your Encore’s safety
features with forward collision and lane departure warning systems. The Encore
was given an overall score of 5 stars (out of 5) by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. If you are curious about the Mini’s safety
history, Google “Mini Cooper Recalls” or read what U.S. News and World Report
had to say – “though it scores well in crash tests, the Countryman does not
have much in the way or driver assistance features.”
BMW
vehicles are notorious for their good looks and painful, expensive repairs. The
Mini Cooper Countryman is no exception. The Consumer Affairs website houses
hundreds upon hundreds of complaints from disgruntled Cooper owners who have to
suffer BMW’s infamous and expensive nightmares.
Rational
people can argue and compare the greatness of The Godfather I or The Godfather
II? The Stones or the Beatles? Tupac or Biggie? But what we can’t argue is the Buick
Encore or the Mini Cooper Countryman.
Come
down to Liberty Buick
GMC and drive off with a Buick Encore that suits your family’s needs.
Written
by Chris Folk
Liberty
Buick GMC contributor
