The base 1.2-liter mill produces 137 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque going out to front-wheel-drive-only through a continuously variable transmission. This combination yields 26/30/28 mpg city/highway/combined. For comparison, four-cylinder Encore achieves 25/30/27 city/highway/combined in FWD guise using an older six-speed automatic.
Opting for the 1.3-liter three-cylinder improves output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft going out through a CVT to FWD or through an optional nine-speed automatic to AWD. The FWD model achieves 30/32/31 mpg city/highway/combined and these numbers drop to 26/29/28 with AWD. Upgrading to the 1.3-liter only costs $395 and offers the best fuel economy, so it clearly seems like the best engine of the bunch. AWD is a $2,000 option, so we wouldn’t select it unless you live in a snowy climate.