Passing on grades is a move that demands determination, and towing of any kind is not recommended. The turbocharged 1.4-liter engine delivers 138 hp, barely enough to break the speed limit when there’s a full load of passengers and luggage onboard. All that’s missing is some hint of road feel through the steering wheel. Cornering response is whippet-quick, and the Encore moves with agility unknown to Buicks of any era. Electrically assisted power steering is slack-free on-center and nicely weighted off-center. engineers tuned the strut-type front suspension and the twist-beam rear axle to yield a supple ride with enough damping and roll stiffness to keep body motions in check during rambunctious maneuvers. (The Chevy Trax and the Opel Mokka sisterships won’t be sold here.) The underpinnings are simple but sound enough to provide a solid, shake-free foundation. But credit the engineers who nurtured the GM’s small crossover architecture from its Chevrolet Sonic origins. All-wheel drive adds $1500 fully loaded with AWD and a few options, the Encore can top $33,000.ĭriving a few early-production Encores on rural roads surrounding Atlanta revealed that Buick didn’t abandon all its classic strengths-such as a cushy ride and quiet cabin-with this move to a significantly smaller format. Its unique gambit is compact size, luxury accommodations, and excellent versatility offered at base prices ranging from $24,950 to $28,940 for its four trim levels. The notion of a petite Buick is a shock to the psyche, but the more remarkable thing about the Encore is that it inhabits a tiny island in the vast ocean of smallish crossovers where it faces no direct competitor. The Kia Soul and Scion xB hatchbacks are the only products on the market close to this Buick’s length, width, and height dimensions. Audi’s Q3, BMW’s X1, and VW’s Tiguan are all longer. Even among modern crossovers, the Encore is a shrimp. To find a Buick wheelbase shorter than the Encore’s 100.6 inches, you must venture back to the 1975 Skyhawk coupe (97.0 inches), which topped the Encore’s 168.5-inch overall length by almost a foot. No previous product under the tri-shield insignia has been powered by an engine this small (1.4 liters). One dramatic result is the Encore, a small crossover unveiled in January 2012 and scheduled to arrive in Buick showrooms in February 2013 as a ’13 model.Īlthough the name suggests a second coming of the Enclave, the Encore is unlike any other product Buick has sold in its 110-year history. After witnessing Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn disappear into the void after GM’s bankruptcy, Buick undertook some serious soul-searching and course correction. Occasionally pressing the reset button can be healthy for individuals, business organizations, and car brands alike.
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