- Buick's new premium compact crossover will square off against the Audi Q3 and Acura RDX, among others.
- The 2013 Encore will arrive at Buick dealers in early 2013.
- Power comes from a 140-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed automatic.
DETROIT — After an extended striptease on Facebook, the 2013 Buick Encore finally comes out in the spotlight at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, about a year ahead of its anticipated arrival in U.S. showrooms.
The five-passenger Encore is built on General Motors' global compact crossover platform, and sits on a relatively short wheelbase of 100.6 inches. To be imported from GM Daewoo in Korea, the 2013 Encore will square off in the U.S. against such rivals as the Audi Q3 and the Acura RDX.
Power comes from a 140-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed automatic. Both front- and all-wheel-drive versions will be available.
The Encore will be well-equipped, with such standard features as blue-accented projector-beam headlamps, 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, a full-color 7-inch LCD display radio and ice blue ambient lighting in the cockpit.
Among the available equipment: Voice-activated IntelliLink infotainment system, active noise cancellation, navigation, rear back-up camera, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bose premium sound system, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and front and rear park assist.
Inside Line says: Sassy-looking, but not much get-up-and-go.
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dhectorg says:
09:10 AM, 03/03/2012
BTW Inside Line, please add a "reply" button to the posts on here. This is the only auto forum I visit that doesn't utilize a threaded format. Get up with the times guys!
dhectorg says:
09:06 AM, 03/03/2012
kshankar,
You are wrong. I am so tired of people spreading misinformation in these discussions. This Buick, as well as almost ALL of GM's product development is being done at Opel's International Technical Development Center (ITDC) in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The Spark and Sonic are the only cars on your list that are Daewoo derived and even they were tuned and tested in Germany. Both GM and Ford decided years ago to centralize product development in Germany and it's working well for them. By no means are they building the best cars in the world, but they are building the best cars they've ever built.
contheon,
What you consider "totally useless" is the perfect vehicle for many people. Not everyone needs to carry 4 adults or tons of luggage, although the Encore actually looks pretty spacious to me, for what it is. It always amazes me that people comment on these vehicles as though it should be designed just for them. Car companies have to design vehicles to appeal to a wide audience, not just your narrow view of what it should be. The fact is small crossovers like this are the fastest growing segment in the US market for a reason...because buyers want them. And as long as they can be offered in a functional and fuel efficient package, why not? I love hatchbacks and wagons for their added functionality (not a fan of sedans), so I want to see more small crossovers!
dbzimp says:
04:24 PM, 01/26/2012
This is what the Pontiac Vibe should have been,not the Matrix clone it actually was.
dbzimp says:
02:33 PM, 01/12/2012
Why the long delay? Looks buildable and is probably already certified by whatever useless beuraucrats that have to be involved!
kshankar says:
04:21 PM, 01/11/2012
So how many Daewoo vehicles does GM have now?
1) Encore
2) Cruze
3) Spark
4) Sonic
5) Verano.
I am sure there will be many more!
contheon says:
02:56 PM, 01/11/2012
Why not push that rear bumber right to the back of the rear door? It's totaly useless. Could 4 people travel anywhere with bags and stay for a week ... or a few days? No way ... just useless.
morey000 says:
11:56 AM, 01/11/2012
Makes sense. There's probably a market for a 'nice' small CUV. Traditionally, the large ones are the luxury models and the smaller you go, the fewer features they'd have. I think it looks good enough- but wow- that is much smaller than I expected. Smaller than I'm willing to buy. It's really tiny- like 6 inches shorter than a Tiguan!? (which has 200hp)
I see where there could be a solid market for something like this.
1919diesel says:
10:33 AM, 01/11/2012
@ ford_flexer:
This is NOTHING like the Equinox. A much smaller platform (built off the Sonic!) and even shorter in length than the Cruze! Measure an Equinox, it's pretty big (my Terrain is almost the same length as my 2004 Highlander which has a 3rd row). Think of the FORD Eco-Sport which is sold in Brazil and Europe - smaller than the Escape, built on a Fiesta platform, for example. That's why the thing has a kind of tall/plump look to it. It's a very small crossover (think Mini Countryman), so pretty tall in proportion it's length (or lack of length!).
pj1020 says:
05:06 AM, 01/11/2012
So much nicer looking than anything the Japanese automakers are producing. The interior is particularly gorgeous. If I was in the market for a smal CUV...this would be it.
openeyes1 says:
05:57 PM, 01/10/2012
Way too much chrome, poor rear visability, ugly rear passenger windows, and underpowered. Coming in at 3200lbs and up, Buick's going to need better engines choices (oil burners?) when they offer this vehicle in AWD.