Buick has never offered anything this small, at least post Roaring Twenties. However, a fresh SUV in a segment that will add an estimated 350,000 units by 2015 bodes well for sales, all of which will be incremental to GM.
It’s hard to think of Buick on the cutting edge of anything, but its new Encore SUV seems poised to catch the wave of the growing cute-ute market in the U.S. Test drives of the mini SUV reveal a decent handling, refined version of GM’s Gamma II platform that is sold elsewhere in the world as Opel Mokka and Chevrolet Trax models. Buick Encore parks with ease given its size and standard rear view camera, and will likely be a hit with young adults, women of all ages and so called empty nester couples who no longer need a bigger vehicle. (Read AutoInformed on VW Taigun, Nissan Extrem Mini SUVs Unveiled in São Paulo following the Intro of the Production Chevrolet Trax at the Paris Motor Show)
Last year the tiny Encore “concept” debuted in Detroit at NAIAS. Now the South Korean-built, front-wheel-drive SUV is just appearing in U.S. dealer showrooms. Prices for the four trim packages, two with cloth seats and two with leather seats, range from a $25,000 base model to $29,000 for a leather Premium setup, including destination and delivery charges.
Dark and light colors are used, along with blue ambient lighting, with both bright and wood-grain trim.
All-wheel drive is available on all Encore models for a $1,500 premium, but it’s probably not worth the walk for most people. Stand-alone options available for the top three trim levels – Convenience, Leather or Premium Encore models – are a navigation system ($795), 18-inch chrome wheels ($995), sunroof ($800) and a Bose premium audio system ($595), but it’s standard on Premium Package.
Encore’s “Active On-Demand” all-wheel-drive is not for serious off-roading, or heavy on road snow. Unlike traditional systems that engage all four drive wheels after slip is detected, Encore uses a magnetic clutch at the rear axle “preemptively” when the vehicle is at rest because slippage is most likely to occur just as the vehicle begins to move. If no slip is detected by the Borg-Warner system, a computer automatically disengages the torque to the clutch once the Encore is underway, returning the system to a primarily front-drive operation. In zero degree Michigan weather, on a combination of light snow and packed ice, the AWD performed well, providing a smooth launch with unnecessary no skittishness or drifting.
The front passenger-side flat folding seat- back is a nice cargo hauling aspect of the crisp interior design.
“A Buick all-wheel drive system has to deliver the best traction possible, and it has to do it in a way that’s totally imperceptible to the driver,” said Encore Chief Engineer Jim Danahy.
With only138 horsepower (102 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm at a curb weight of 3190 pounds, the Encore takes about 9 seconds to traverse the pavement from a stop to 60 mph. Therefore, if it is performance you’re looking for, Buick is the wrong brand.
Fuel economy is the strong point here. EPA ratings are 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and a combined 28 mpg with a standard six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive setup. The AWD is a tad slower, at a curb weight 3309 pounds with EPA ratings of 23/30 /26 mpg. Both use regular fuel, and no manual trans is offered, or likely needed.
The Chevrolet Trax that shares its platform with Encore will go on sale in Canada this year, but it is banned in the U.S. With the same1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at the same 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb. ft. of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the LS model, and the LT and LTZ models have a 6-speed automatic transmission. The AWD system is available on LT and LTZ models.
Encore’s combined fuel economy is based on 45% highway and 55% city driving. It is the best fuel economy for any crossover offered by a U.S.-based automaker, and the vehicle’s EPA estimated annual fuel cost of $1,900 is the same or lower than any domestic or imported 2013 model year crossover sold in the United States. Ford’s most-efficient crossover, the 2013 Escape, is EPA estimated at 23 city/33 highway, or a combined 26 mpg. The revised 2014 Jeep Compass hasn’t been rated yet, but its 2-liter engine and six-speed transmission will likely top out at 30 mpg highway. (See Revised 2014 Jeep Compass SUV Unveiled at NAIAS in Detroit)
In addition, Encore standard features are competitive, including so-called IntelliLink connectivity with voice commands, 10 air bags, and a rear vision camera. Encore offers optional active safety systems including Forward Collision Alert, which uses a camera-based system to alert the driver of a possible collision, and Lane Departure Warning, which alerts the driver when a lane marker is crossed without the use of a turn signal.
Buick makes much of Encore’s active noise cancellation system, and it works reasonably well at moderate speeds and part throttle. However, the intake and turbo roar at wide open throttle is intrusive revealing what is after all and econobox, as in a Chevy Sonic-derived entry.
A MacPherson strut front suspension is used with coil springs, a stabilizer bar, hydraulic ride bushings and side-load-compensated front strut modules. On frost heaved Michigan secondary roads, the ride was relatively smooth, with good noise isolation and wheel control at all legal speeds.
The rear suspension has a simple a torsion beam design, with a double-wall, tubular V-shape beam profile damped by gas-charged, twin-tube shocks. It works well enough given its economy of space purpose, but it will never pass for the isolation that a multi-link independent setup provides while traversing over potholes.
The Encore also has a column-mounted, variable-effort electric power steering system. About the nicest things that can be said here is its 36.7-foot (11.2 meters) turning diameter and the fuel savings that dropping an engine-driven power steering pump provide. Abandon all-hope of on center feel and progressive feedback as cornering forces grow, though.
Encore at 168.5 inches long, has claimed room for five, but really four smallish people since rear hip room is only 50 inches. With luggage space of as much as 48.4 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded, Encore compares favorably against similar-sized international competitors, say the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3. As another advantage, the front passenger-seat folds flat for more storage room.
The question is what it is an ‘encore’ to, since Buick has never had an offering in this growing sub-compact segment. In fact, Buick has never offered anything this small, at least post Roaring Twenties. However, a fresh SUV in a segment that will add an estimated more than 350,000 units by 2015 bodes well for Buick sales, all of which will be incremental to GM.
The other side of the business equation is the continuing decline of traditional large SUVs, but that’s not a Buick brand problem because it is well positioned with a revised 2013 Enclave crossover in the mid-size segment, too. Enclave ended 2012 as Buick’s top-selling retail model, with more than 50,000 vehicles delivered to customers. Encore could easily sell more than 40,000, perhaps many more, if Buick can get the production out of Korea where it will stand in line with GM’s Opel and Chevrolet brands for allocations.
