Buick Encore

Buick is faithfully searching for the fountain of youth with its new products as it tries to shed the “old man” image.

FAST FACTS

1. One engine is available, a turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder making 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. 2. Fuel economy is rated at 25/33 mpg (city/hwy) for front-drive models and 23/30 mpg for AWD models. 3. 10 airbags come standard. 4. Priced in the range of $24,950 to $28,940 add $750 for destination and an extra $1,500 if you want AWD.

But losing which may be harder than shedding the adipose tissue stomachs such a large amount of of its customers carry to their bridge games. Meet the 2013 Encore: Its latest stab at attracting a brand new demographic patrons probing for one thing aside from boat-like cars.

A compact crossover while not a particular section to decision it’s own, the Encore is analogous to a decapod crustacean in additional than its short form. g says the automobile doesn’t have any direct competition, however compares it most closely to the mini Countryman and therefore the Volkswagen Tiguan.

That might be a drag, though, once factors like vogue, complete image and performance acquire play – as they continuously do.

UNFORTUNATE EXTERIOR PROPORTIONS

 

Buick’s style language is something however ugly. In fact, on cars just like the royal, territory and even Verano, it’s quite handsome. very little accents just like the fake chrome hood vents and therefore the imposing grille jam-packed with vertical bars add slightly of sophistication to the final Motors portfolio that, whereas not notably impressed, offers a degree of distinction.
Unfortunately, the Encore seems like associate territory puppy that hasn’t full-grown into its paws, or during this case, headlights. That’s unfortunate, particularly as a result of Buick is true to acknowledge the burgeoning compact crossover market.

It’s not all dangerous, though. There area unit a minimum of some things to like regarding very little utility vehicle. for instance, the bottom model comes with normal 18-inch alloy wheels.
They aren’t as nice because the ex gratia chrome rims, however they’re quite passable. Similarly, projector beam headlights area unit normal and therefore the blue accents close them distract your look from the car’s body.

INTERIOR MORE APPEALING THAN IT LOOKS

 

Anyone with 5 minutes of seat time in a very Buick vehicle, or recent General Motors product for that matter, can realize the Encore cabin acquainted. That’s neither a decent or dangerous issue, however a lot of an issue of preference.
Soft touch materials cowl the dashboard, whereas the middle stack’s buttons and dials area unit straightforward to grasp. A seven-inch show|LCD|digital display|alphanumeric display} display peers out from beneath alittle dash hood.
It isn’t slightly screen, however Buick was clever enough to stay it out of straightforward reach. meaning fewer smudge marks from the occasional unskilled person WHO touches 1st and asks later.
A six-way adjustable driver’s seat is normal on all models and offers body part support that may touch meet even the foremost cuplike of postures.

The seats aren’t dangerous, however it’s onerous to not feel a bit unloved once you understand that the high back remains manually adjusted. Not solely that, however all the buttons function reminders that g recycles cabin materials across the board.
With the rear seats sitting upright, you’ll solely get eighteen.8 cube-shaped feet of storage. whereas that expands to forty eight.4 with those folded-up, a bit perspective is vital here. A Hyundai Elantra GT (also a five-door compact) offers twenty three cube-shaped feet with the seats up. the 2 vehicles don’t vie, (by Buick’s own admission the Encore doesn’t directly vie with something at all) however this utility vehicle is light-weight on loading space.

SMALL, MANEUVERABLE COMPACT CROSSOVER

 

Buick says the Encore is aimed toward thirty to 35-year-old patrons WHO area unit educated and largely urban home. That’s as a result of it marries the tall, unrestricted capability of a crossover with the manoeuvrability of a compact.

That’s definitely the case. slim streets are not any drawback because of the car’s skinny body. For reference, the Encore is truly virtually an in. slimmer than the Chevrolet Cruze it shares associate engine with.

Maneuverability may well be sensible once you’re driving through a decent spot, however it’s a distinct story if you’re attempting to park in one.

The car’s steep, sloping forepart makes it troublesome to evaluate wherever the bumper sits. Similarly, the tiny car window sits high on the liftgate. That in bike with the car’s tall stance means that seeing out the rear could be a little bit of a task.

You’ll have a backup camera to assist, except for some reason Buick neglected to incorporate backup sensors, which might be a large quality here.
Speaking of assets, the automobile comes with a bit convexo-concave section on the outside mirrors. It’s a wise very little bit that helps trot out the car’s far-out form.Other on the market safety options embrace Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert.

TINY ENGINE BEST LEFT IN THE CITY

 
 Small touches will go an extended approach, however within the one.4-liter turbocharged engine’s case a much bigger bit would are higher.Weighing in at three,190 lbs for the front-wheel drive and three,309 lbs with the all-wheel drive model, this Buick begs for a lot of power.
Acceleration around city is suitable, particularly within the normal six-speed automatic’s manual mode. Not thus on the road tho'.
Given the tiny turbocharged engine, it’s unsatisfying that g didn’t massage a bit a lot of power out of its motor.
You can attempt victimization the manual mode, however shifting means that employing a plus-minus button mounted on high of the shift lever. It’s identical system employed in the Malibu and one that’s dispiritedly awkward to achieve.
That’s unsatisfying as a result of the shifts themselves area unit sleek and fast, however you’ll seldom wish to play with it.
While additional power would wreak a a lot of ennobling drive, it might additionally suck down a lot of gas. As is, the automobile gets associate Environmental Protection Agency calculable 25/33 mpg city/highway. That isn’t really spectacular in today’s world of cars with forty mpg or higher, however it isn’t dangerous either.

WHAT YOU PAY, WHAT YOU GET

Buick suggests a $25,700 beginning worth for the bottom model as well as delivery. That version of the automobile comes a regular rearview camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, and active noise cancellation through the car’s speakers: a primary for the complete.
Bose speakers area unit ex gratia, however the noise cancelling system is normal. You’ll still hear tire roar on the road, however the cabin is quiet enough at speed for informal tones.
The top-trimmed “Premium Group” version rings in on top of $31,000 as well as delivery for the front-wheel drive model. choosing all-wheel drive prices an additional $1,500.All four wheels area unit steam-powered from dead stops. Power is redirected completely to the front wheels shortly if the automobile is not slithering and returns to the rears PRN. weather condition climate drivers may well be tempted to pay that premium, however skip it if you'll. The engine is taxed enough because it is, and powering all four wheels, to not mention the additional weight, any slows the automobile.

THE VERDICT

 
It’s true that the 2013 Encore stands in a very section all its own, however it’s onerous to check that as a decent issue, particularly with varied compact crossover choices that provide a lot of power, higher fuel economy, additional utility and elegance.

source : http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/buick/2013-buick-encore-review-2438.html