The Buick Encore Offers 5 Compelling Reasons to Downsize Luxury

Big American comfort, Small Package

Jun 05, 2013
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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Image via Complex Original

2013 Buick Encore AWD
Power: 138-hp
Engine: 1.4L ECOTEC®
Fuel Consumption: 23 city/30 highway
Price Driven: $28,210

Brand transformation startles in the auto industry. Rather than reinvention, we often here of closure. We laughed at the fall of Geo. We mourned (just briefly) the death of Saab. And, ultimately, allowed the spectre of Saturn to fade without much pomp and circumstance.

Old cars are great. But, new cars signal the future of transportation. 

Last December, we hit Atlanta for a first look at the 2013 Buick Encore. The diminutive car (technically a compact crossover) seemingly comes out of left field. Gone are many cliched Buick hallmarks—you won't find a boat-length ride here—in favor of repackaging the calm, quiet drives of the past. The Encore is about the idea of Buick, as much as it is about the reality of the global automotive industry. 

Consider this: The Encore will probably sell more units in China than it will in the United States. Despite that fact, the vehicle lends itself perfectly to American urban streets. After a day in the Georgia countryside, we tested the Encore in our own backyard—specifically Manhattan and Queens—finding that the Buick's legacy of American luxury translates well to new, smaller packages and that automotive transformation is indeed possible.

5 Compelling Reasons to Downsize Luxury

Maneuverability

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Ever tried to navigate an '80s-era American sedan in contemporary city traffic? It ain't pretty. The Buick Encore has a 100.60-inch wheelbase, which is roughly four inches shorter than a 1985 Buick Skylark sedan and heaps shorter than a 1985 LeSabre wagon. Basically, you're operating a car that is about four-feet shorter than the people-mover your grandfather picked you up from school in. The only Buick in history with a shorter wheelbase than the Encore is the 1975 Skyhawk coupe…which was still a foot longer than the new CUV. That means parallel parking is a breeze and economy of interior space is even better.

A Smooth Ride

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The Encore certainly isn't a Grand National. You won't be smoking foreign exotics off the line. However, you will take corners smoothly and the 138hp is enough for the aim of this car. Maneuverability, as mentioned, is key to the utility of the Encore. A smooth ride is what brings it in-line with the Buick badge. It's also decidedly cushy, a trait usually missed in the CUV segment.

The Luxury of Quiet

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Buicks of old might have been big, but they were also paragons of calm. The Buick Encore goes small, but doesn't skimp on the brand's hallmark quiet ride. You can thank inventive technology for this: A Bose Active Noise Cancellation system knocks out road noise.

Maximum Space

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In our initial experience with the Encore, we marveled at the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Simple details sooth. The placement of storage compartments (which keep all your gadgets safe), the feel of the seats, and the upright position all combine to form an interior that overachieves. Most CUVs have amenity, but few others maximize space to give a compact larger-than-life appeal. 

Smart Interior Sight Lines

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Let's be honest: Placement of navigation systems often directs eyes from the road. In the Encore, the Intellink system is situated high on the dash—so there is no abrupt shift in sight line. Although the system has faults, especially in the pace of dialing an address within the navigation, connectivity with smartphones is seamless and there's minimal need to fumble about with the controls. Luxury here comes in the security of knowing your eyes are directed to your end destination. 

Rides

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