Buick is going somewhere new and unexpected, introducing a subcompact crossover SUV that really doesn't have any competition or even a clearly identified market — yet.
But the 2013 Encore could become a big seller when it arrives at U.S. dealerships next month.
The Encore is tiny, yet feels large. It is fuel-efficient, yet carries five people (four comfortably). It is versatile enough to haul a surprising amount of cargo, yet is also as comfortably appointed as you'd expect from Buick.
Downsizing without compromising comfort is a direction premium and luxury brands are taking.
And the Encore feels younger than other Buicks, which is a marketing position the brand hopes to stake — aiming the Encore at young families and empty nesters.
Two thirds of the visitors viewing the Encore on Buick's website have completed the "build your own" process, indicating more than just a passing interest. U.S. dealers pre-ordered 9,000 Encores for initial showroom stock — six times more than Buick had predicted. In China, interest appears to be even stronger, with more than 20,000 units pre-ordered.
The Encore is the latest General Motors Co. vehicle on the Korean-built Gama II subcompact platform, which first delivered the well-received Chevrolet Sonic sedans. SUV versions will eventually be sold in 140 countries. In Europe, the Opel Mokka went on sale last summer with its own unique styling. A Chevrolet version will be sold in Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Russia and elsewhere. In Australia, this is the Holden Trax.
Buick has the only U.S. version. The challenge for Buick was to make such a small car meet premium standards.
Buick's smallest car, the compact Verano sedan, is 2 feet longer than the Encore. But the Encore's wheels are pushed to the far corners of the vehicle, maximizing interior space. The Encore's 100-inch wheelbase is just 5 inches shorter than the Verano's.
The interior is filled with good-looking, soft-touch artificial surfaces and wood-like trim. The higher optioned models get soft leather seats and trim.
The vehicle is narrow and tall. There was plenty of headroom for this 6-footer both in the front and back seats, but I noticed limited elbow room. The high seating position feels commanding in traffic despite the vehicle's slight size. The Encore is the same height as the compact, sporty and luxurious BMW X3, but it has 2 feet less length.
The Encore is difficult to compare.
BMW's similarly sized X1 was the first upscale subcompact crossover SUV in the U.S. The X1 and Volkswagen Tiguan both are slightly larger, far more powerful, less fuel efficient and cost considerably more than the Encore.
The Encore is close in size to the Nissan Juke, which also comes with optional all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine. The Juke isn't upscale but is sportier, with 188 horsepower. It requires premium fuel, however, while the Buick uses regular. Other vehicles of similar size and type include the Kia Soul, Mini Cooper Countryman, Nissan Cube and Scion xB.
Noisiest Buick
The Encore handles confidently in tight or fast turns. The 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine produces just 138 horsepower but its turbocharger is tuned to produce 148 pound-feet of torque for a lot of low-end acceleration. City driving with its tight turning radius is pleasant. Passing and merging at highway speeds aren't effortless; they require a little planning and pushing the engine to make its raspy sound.
This is also the noisiest Buick I've ever driven, despite the efforts of engineers using triple door seals, insulating glass and body materials, and a Bose noise cancelation system that broadcasts sound-defeating frequencies even when the stereo is turned off. The vehicle is so small and so open all the way to the back bumper that the rumble of tires was pronounced when rolling on coarse pavement.
The all-wheel-drive system isn't particularly sophisticated, but appeared to work well. It is engaged at up to a 50-50 split between front and rear every time the Encore starts in motion. The system switches to 100 percent front-wheel drive after 37 mph or as soon as the computer controls determine there is no wheel slip. There is no side-to-side torque split. Adding all-wheel drive costs $1,500.
The Encore's front-wheel-drive model earned an impressive EPA fuel efficiency rating of 25 mpg city and 33 highway. The all-wheel-drive version is rated at 23 city and 30 highway.
Lots of storage space
There is 18.8 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats. Folding down the back seats and pushing forward the front passenger seat results in a total of 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, long enough to carry an eight-foot-long roll of carpet.
A 7-inch screen is placed high on the center dash for navigation and audio control, and backup camera views without taking eyes far from the road. This isn't a touch screen. All infotainment, navigation and climate controls are handled through voice recognition and traditional buttons and knobs on the center stack. The backup camera and Bluetooth hands-free interconnectivity for cell phones and other devices are standard, along with a power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated mirrors.
GM has predicted the sale of small crossovers will grow by more than half a million units by 2015.
As Americans trend toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, they are still demanding the practical versatility they used to get from trucks and then SUVs. The crossover idea blends truck and car qualities, but the Encore also brings some of the practical elements of a tiny minivan.
Honda will later this month introduce at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit a crossover SUV concept vehicle based on the subcompact Fit platform. Fiat introduced the 500L, four-door, five- passenger people mover in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Lincoln will unveil its MKC luxury version of Ford's compact Escape crossover SUV at the Detroit auto show.
Smaller can be better, and still comfortable.
(courtesy Doug Guthrie of The Detroit News)
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