Buick Encore

The Buick Encore is a subcompact crossover model that for the 2013 model year enters a new segment of the market for Buick and General Motors—and one that’s barely represented yet in the U.S.

With about the parking footprint of a subcompact like the Chevrolet Sonic or Honda Fit but with a taller body, the Encore appeals to small urban families who need a vehicle that parks easily, is extremely maneuverable, and fits into a tight space. The Encore, at just 169 inches long and with a wheelbase that's just above 100 inches, should take on the likes of the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, as well as the upcoming BMW X1 and Audi Q3—or factor in as a more mature, luxurious alternative to the Kia Soul or Scion xB.

Luxury, comfort, and interior appointments are one of the cornerstones of the Encore, which has seating for five (four adults should be okay) plus Buick Quiet Tuning measures such as extra sound deadening, an acoustically treated headliner, and active noise cancellation. Inside, cloth or leatherette seats come in rich, warm colors and interior trims overall look and feel luxury-grade. Available features include remote vehicle start, dual-zone climate control, and rain-sensing wipers. Just as in most hatchbacks or crossovers, the rear seats fold down, to make 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space available (or 18.8 cubic feet with them up in place).

With a 140-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine—the same one that's offered in the Cruze and Sonic models—and a suspension that’s tuned for ride quality, and to go along with the Quiet Tuning philosophy, the Encore will by no means be a high-performance machine. But its six-speed automatic transmission, with a tall overdrive gear, should return highway fuel economy figures of more than 30 mpg. .

Safety should be up to the top-tier standards set by recent GM small vehicles like the Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevy Sonic. There are ten standard airbags in the Encore, while forward collision alert, front and rear park assist, and lane departure warning systems are available, along with a rear camera system.

The Encore is already sold as the Opel Mokka (or Vauxhall Mokka) in other markets.

If the name Encore is still giving you a sense of deja vu, mentioning Renault might jog your memory. The French automaker, with AMC, first sold a small car of the same name through much of the 1980s, but with most of those retired at this point, Buick seized the nameplate.

Courtesy of thecarconnection.com