Ironically, this tiny crossover is starting its first act on Buick’s stage. But, by the looks of things, the 2013 Encore will be a nameplate that drivers are going to ask back for more. Take a look.
Buick Encore Feature Highlights
The Encore is a five seat compact crossover SUV sporting luxury traits and small-time versatility. A new introduction for 2013, Encore is Buick’s answer to the half car/half SUV beasts that dot suburban households everywhere. Small in stature but big enough on passenger space, Encore is being touted as an everywhere vehicle with enough adaptability to sneak away for the weekend then get back in time for the daily commute. And it’s small enough to be an apt city driver; at just 168 inches long, Encore is smaller than both the Mazda CX-5 (179”) and Rang Rover Evoque (171”) and boasts a 36.7 foot turning radius.
Plenty of shiny new features come along for the ride as either standard or available, including a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 18’ alloy wheels, leather & wood trim, dual-zone climate control, IntelliLink and OnStar infotainment, along with safety tech like rain sensing wipers and a lane departure warning system. Helping you enjoy the available Bose sound system is a revamped QuietTune system which cancels out road noise. Expect prices to start in the mid $20,000 range.
Look for the 2013 Encore to make its appearance in early 2013, which is closer than you think.
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Buick Encore Performance
Encore receives a turbocharged 1.4 liter 4-cylinder, the same engine that’s available for the Chevy Sonic. The turbo is tuned to give Encore 140 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.
Fuel estimates have yet to be released (it’s a safe bet that highway MPG will be above 30) but a variety of MPG boosting fixtures should keep numbers in check, including low resistance tires, deceleration fuel cut-off, a neutral idle feature, and an aerodynamically enhanced shell.
Buick Encore Interior Highlights
There’s more space than you’d think; Encore’s second row features 38.8 inches of legroom, which is more than the 2013 Enclave’s second row (at 36.8”). Adding leather seating and wood/chrome accents add extra extravagance to the party, and ‘ice blue’ ambient lighting shows everything off. Tech also looks promising- the voice activated IntelliLink system is projected on a 7” screen and connects with your smartphone for one-stop in-cabin infotainment. Buick’s QuietTuning, which includes ‘active’ noise cancellation by way of the speakers and subwoofer, assists in keeping unwanted road racket outside where it belongs.
Encore’s Mighty Mouse persona is boosted by way of total cargo area; you’ll get 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 18.8 cubes with said seats in use. And owners are welcome to get creative with a front passenger seat that folds flat, as well as extra pockets for miscellaneous phones and the like.
Buick Encore Safety
Standards on every 2013 Encore include 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, OnStar roadside/emergency services (six months free), and ten airbags- including four seat-mounted side bags & two front knee bags. Available extras include rain sensing wipers, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning systems. Navigating tight spots becomes less nerve-wracking if you include front & rear park assist and a backup camera.
Crash test ratings have yet to be released.
Buick Encore Summary
It’s a little presumptuous to give a vehicle such an in demand name, but the 2013 Buick Encore shouldn’t have any problems drawing a crowd, and all indications state that the American public isn’t tired of the crossover fad yet. With unique size, luxury touches, and plenty of adaptability, the Encore is capable of making some beautiful noise- though QuietTune will let you block that out if you want.
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