The Buick Encore
is a subcompact luxury SUV with 48.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up. Starting at $25,795, the Encore gets a 6.5/10 rating from Car and Driver. Trunk space is a major factor in the growing appeal of SUVs. These rugged vehicles, built for families on the go and active adventurers, offer more space to stow suitcases, sports equipment, camping gear, furniture, or whatever you need on the road.
If you’re shopping for an SUV, it’s important to check the cargo capacity and understand what that number means—and how it compares to other vehicles on the market. Car insurance
comparison and broker app Jerry
is here to break down everything you need to know about the Buick Encore’s trunk space. How is trunk space measured?
Measuring a car’s trunk might seem straightforward, but what does “48.4 cubic feet” really mean? Let’s take a look at how manufacturers measure trunk space.
Because SUVs don’t have a separate trunk, their cargo capacity is measured by two figures depending on the configuration of the rear seats:
Cargo volume with rear seats up: number of cubic feet behind the rear seats
Cargo volume with rear seats folded: number of cubic feet behind the front seats with rear seats folded down
For each measurement of cargo volume, manufacturers measure the height, width, and length of the space to produce the total cubic feet. Because SUV trunk space is measured in cubic feet, it includes the space near the roof of the vehicle as well as the bottom of the cargo bed.
The problem with measuring in cubic feet is that every vehicle’s cargo space has a slightly different shape. That final number might not account for the effects of all the idiosyncratic curves and contours of the car’s interior, or for rear seats that don’t fold perfectly flat.
Keep in mind how many passengers you plan to transport along with your cargo. If the rear seats will be in use most of the time, it’s better to focus on the cargo volume with rear seats up.
Key Takeaway: Manufacturers measure SUV cargo space in cubic feet, but there’s more to cargo space than a number.
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Buick Encore trunk space
Cargo volume with rear seats up: 18.8 cubic feet
Cargo volume with rear seats down: 48.4 cubic feet
The Encore is a subcompact SUV with room for 5 passengers. If you’re using all 5 seats, you’ll have just under 19 cubic feet of space in the rear cargo area. The average suitcase is about 4 cubic feet, so you’ll be able to fit 4-5 suitcases in the Encore without folding down the back seats.
If you’re able to fold the seats down, the cargo space expands to 48.4 cubic feet. With this trunk space, you can plan to pack at least 12 suitcases behind the front seats.
How does the Buick Encore’s trunk space compare to other SUVs?
The Encore’s trunk space is about average for a subcompact SUV. Its maximum cargo volume beats out vehicles like the Nissan Kicks
and the Hyundai Venue
, but you’ll get more space from the Honda HR-V
or Jeep Renegade
. Because the Encore is a luxury SUV, the trunk space comes at a higher price tag. If you want more of your money to go towards cargo capacity, it’s worth considering other cars that give you more space at a more affordable cost.
How to check trunk space
The numbers provided by manufacturers won’t always give an accurate measure of a vehicle’s trunk space, especially when it comes to SUVs.
Use a tape measure at the dealership to measure the vehicle’s cargo space for yourself. Take note of how the seats fold down and how easy the interior will be to pack.
If possible, the best way to measure an SUV’s cargo space is by using real objects. When you head to the dealership, bring a piece of luggage or another item that you want to transport—an empty suitcase, a golf bag, or a box—and take photos of it in different parts of the cargo space.
You can use those pictures to estimate the car’s real-life trunk space and make the right decision about your car.
How to save money on car insurance
Whether you’re looking for a roomy SUV for family vacations or solo adventures, you’ll need good car insurance to protect your investment. Just like cargo areas, insurance policies aren’t all the same—and with the expert help of the Jerry
app, it’s easy to find the one that fits your needs and your budget. As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry will search for competitive rates from 50+ top companies and give you quotes within seconds. You won’t have to guess what these numbers mean—Jerry explains it all, gives you options to choose from, and handles all the paperwork to switch you to your new policy. They’ll even cancel your old policy for you!