Buick finally took the last bit of disguise off the 2013 Encore today just a few hours before we saw it in the metal here in Detroit. And we're still sitting firmly on the fence.
The Encore gets, as we expected, GM's multiport-injection 1.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 140 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, hooked up to a HydraMatic six-speed automatic transmission. Suspension is a MacPherson strut with coil-over spring and stabilizer bar up front, and a torsion-beam rear with twin-tube shocks out back. Steering is electric.
This doesn't sound terribly impressive even for a crossover, but let's consider one thing: Those wheels that look pretty big on this Encore are 18s with P215/55R18 tires. We're looking at a small crossover (built in Bupyeong, South Korea, on GM's small crossover platform) that has a 100.6-inch wheelbase and is only 168.5 inches long. For comparison, the Cruze is 181 inches long. The Verano is 183.9. The Sonic is 159 inches.
Buick's new small crossover features the brand's first use of active noise cancellation as part of Buick's "Quiet Tuning" philosophy. Other quietness features include an acoustically treated headliner, "quiet-tuned" Continental tires, aerodynamic sideview mirrors, laminated 5mm side windows and foam baffles in body structure openings.
Because this is a very small car (in today's terms) Buick had to be careful with weight management and, if this does in fact ride/sound like a Buick, it has done well; the Encore weighs in at 3,190 pounds for FWD and 3,309 for AWD. The last Sonic we tested rang up 2,775 pounds.
Cargo volume for the Encore is listed at 18.8 cubic feet, which is more, says Buick, than either a BMW X1 or an Audi Q3.
The 2013 Encore will go on sale in early 2013.
northsparrow says:
04:55 AM, 01/10/12
In other words, it's a Daewoo.
rustyshacklfrd says:
05:37 AM, 01/10/12
Nope, more an Opel built in S. Korea with cheaper labor...
juan_mx says:
05:47 AM, 01/10/12
168.5" is PT Cruiser size (also MB B-Class), slightly longer than a Juke.
Q1 2013 . . . . What are they waiting for? ... The end of the world?
bonzjr says:
06:03 AM, 01/10/12
3,200-3,300 pounds for something 168.5" long (crossover or not) is not "careful with weight management."
Just because GM engineers told you they were careful, it doesn't make it true. This thing is FAT. Daewoo engineering FTL.
And with 140 bhp and a tall profile, we also now know that it's SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. I don't expect much in the way of efficiency either since the accelerator pedal will spend most of its life planted on the floor (thus operating the turbocharger in full-time aggressive mode) in an effort to keep this thing moving.
But hey, it's a Korean-made Buick right?
bonzjr says:
06:07 AM, 01/10/12
I will add to my comment above though: it is sort of attractive. And the assembly quality (from far away) looks nice. And it doesn't appear to lack for feature content. The Buick division is getting that much right. Whether than can overcome seemingly subpar engineering re: chassis weight/engine power remains to be seen.
throwback says:
06:37 AM, 01/10/12
Not bad looking but it looks too stubby. And my usual complaint, 18" wheels, really? How about 215/70-16s instead? You would still fill the wheel wells plus improve the ride.
thehankhill says:
06:47 AM, 01/10/12
Pontiac Vibe territory with the specs
miamifan1 says:
07:07 AM, 01/10/12
what chassis/platform is this based on? it looks like the saturn vue/chevy captiva.
billt9 says:
07:21 AM, 01/10/12
I like this tiny bugger.
Better looking than an iQ or Smart Fortwo/four.
bodyblue says:
07:24 AM, 01/10/12
The interior looks pretty nice....one thing that Buick really does well now days is interiors. The outside? mmmmmm not feeling it.
ed124c says:
07:47 AM, 01/10/12
@throwback: But at least the tires have a 55 aspect ratio. I would prefer a 60 or 65 in a crossover, but the 55s will probably hold up in the Northeast.
I agree with most of the comments above.
My '05 Outback weighs 3,300 pounds, but it is 20 inches longer than the Encore. Where exactly is GM's so-called weight management?
ctpaul says:
07:53 AM, 01/10/12
looks like a Pontiac Vibe, that has been squeezed a little, especially the rear window treatment - overall kind of ugly IMHO. That two tone interior is scary. Who is going to buy this and why from Buick? I just do not get it. Vaguely reminds of one of those ugly Nissan small SUV's (Rogue?).
cr_driver says:
08:11 AM, 01/10/12
Color me not impressed by those specs.
billytrez says:
08:51 AM, 01/10/12
I'm impressed that GM has seen the light and is putting on the road really small cars that are more than tin boxes. This represents a culture change in GM for the people that decide what cars are being sold in the US. No doubt, this began at the time of impending bankruptcy. The big car, big profit attitude had to change enough to accept cars like the Sonic, the Volt and even this tiny Buick from the Lexus division of GM.
I'm not so impressed with a Buick built in Korea, but, perhaps, demand will warrant adding this car to the Sonic assembly line just as the Regal began in Germany and is now built in N. America. This car has to be the best in class with no apologies for that Korean assembly line. I have some doubts and they begin with Deawoo and continue with 1.4l turbo pushing that weight around. It had better be good. Anybody driving the Sonic with this motor?
juan_mx says:
10:54 AM, 01/10/12
@miamifan
It is based on the GM/Opel/Daewoo B-segment platform (Gamma II), the same used for the Sonic, it is more than 11" shorter than a Vue/Captiva
The Encore is as heavy as a Cruze LTZ with the same engine, so 0-60 will be in the mid 9's
1919diesel says:
12:48 PM, 01/10/12
When I heard Buick was doing a 'baby Enclave' I really wanted to like it. And when they killed just badge-swapping the Saturn Vue into a Buick, I as impressed (it would have been a very fast way to get a nice mid-sized SUV distinct from the Equinox/Terrain. Instead, they turned the Vue into the Chevy Captiva for rental fleets (in a year or 2 they'll be selling as used to the public) and we waited a year for a bloated little Opel made by Daewoo. I really want to like this thing, but it's a little plump looking and I don't think a Buick smaller than the Verano will really fly (OK, maybe the Astra pocket-rocket, but that's a performance 2-door, not playing in same market). How many Buick buyers want a compact crossover this small? Wouldn't most be looking at something like the Acura RDX, more in the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 size? Does Buick think BMW X1 and Audi Q3 buyers will cross-shop for this? Maybe, but I don't see it selling very well. I look for it to die quietly after 1 generation. I would like to be wrong, because I really like Buick (historically, and their current line-up), but this is a miss. AND, they STILL don't have a step-down vehicle from the Enclave (which I really like, but I don't need an 8-seat boat). Why force your buyers into a GMC Terrain or Chevy Equinox when you could keep them in a Buick? No way Terrain sales would be what they are if Buick offered a similar model.... but wouldn't the Buick's have a higher sales price overall? Need to rethink the strategy on this one (too big a gap between Buick crossovers.... like if BMW sold the X1 and X5 but no X3 - the volume model!?!?!?)
juan_mx says:
04:08 PM, 01/10/12
@1919diesel
I also thought the Encore was a luxury Vue/Captiva, and I totally agree with you.
This is the smalest Buick in at least 70 years.
On the other hand, if they make it cheaper than the Verano, it may appeal to buyers looking for a small vehicle that never considered a Buick. It is Buick's PT Cruiser (without the retro look).
epbrown says:
04:58 PM, 01/10/12
Looks pretty good in pictures. First Buick to interest me since the 70s LeSabre. :)
damaje says:
10:09 PM, 01/10/12
For GM being careful about weight is any car under 3800 pounds and any SUV under 5000 pounds. Still interior looks great, exterior is very Camry or Accord-esque, not exciting or offensive and definately not polarizing like the Aztek.
I just hope the 1.4 turbo at 140hp for that much weight is a base engine and that they will offer at least a 170hp upgrade.