First was the Verano compact sedan, and now comes the Encore subcompact crossover, which is a foot shorter than the Verano, with a wheelbase that's 5 inches shorter.
While such a small vehicle may seem odd for a brand with a reputation that for decades centered on comfortable large sedans and wagons, it's perfectly in line with the brand's goals both at home and abroad. That's to bring up-and-coming premium-vehicle buyers into the Buick fold, where presumably they will work their way up to larger and more expensive Buicks as they age and grow in their careers and incomes.
Prices begin at $24,200 (plus $750 freight and options) for the base model and go as high as $29,690 for the Premium all-wheel drive. The entry-model price makes the Encore quite a bargain considering all of its standard amenities.
Buick offers the Encore with either front-wheel drive, which is standard, or all-wheel drive, which is a $1,500 premium above the front-drive prices.
Our tester had front drive, though, so we didn't get to test the all-wheel drive. It's designed to send power almost 50-50 to the front and rear on startup, but favor the front wheels in normal driving until the automatic system detects wheel slippage.
The size of the Encore also allows it to offer the best fuel economy in the Buick lineup and EPA ratings that are among the best in the entire crossover realm. With front drive, the estimates are 25 mpg city/33 highway/28 combined; for all-wheel-drive models, 23/30/26.
During my weeklong test, I averaged about 28.4 mpg, with a combination of city and highway driving, although it was heavier on the highway side.
Surprisingly, the Encore doesn't feel small. Tall people — 6 feet or more — can ride in comfort in the front bucket seats, and they ride higher than you would imagine in a vehicle that qualifies as a subcompact, at least on the outside. There is no feel of being in a tiny vehicle, sitting close to the ground.
In fact, I felt no different in the driver's seat of the Encore than I did a week earlier while driving the new Honda CR-V, a compact crossover.
Outside, the Encore looks like a junior-size version of the seven-passenger Buick Enclave crossover, with similar front-end styling and overall shape, and the signature Buick grille.
The Encore is the same length as the boxy Scion xB, and about a foot shorter than the CR-V. But I couldn't help comparing the Encore — favorably — to such compact crossovers as the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is about 6 inches longer, and the Audi Q5 and Nissan Rogue, both about 18 inches longer.
We were able to put three average-size adults in the rear bench seat for a run out to dinner, with no real complaints.
The outboard passengers said they had plenty of leg- and knee room, although the middle rider was a bit cramped and suggested that might not be a good place for a long trip.
A child safety seat would fit there well, however, with two larger kids or even small- to medium-size adults on each side.
The only cup holders in the back, though, were two in a small pull-down center armrest that eliminates the middle seating position. Small door pockets were not wide enough to serve as bottle holders either in front or back.
Up front, the center console area provides two small cup holders and a lidded compartment for gadgets. In front of the shifter is a slanted cubby suitable for a couple of portable devices, and there is a USB port right next to a 12-volt power outlet in front of the storage spot.
There is 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, accessed through a rear hatch that flips up in one piece for easy loading and unloading. Fold down the rear seatback, though, and the cargo area expands to a whopping 48.4 cubic feet. You could get a big-screen TV box back there, if necessary.
Driving the Encore was rather fun, with its turbocharged 1.4-liter, four-cylinder Ecotec engine, producing 138 horsepower and 148 foot-pounds of torque. While that doesn't sound like a lot, it's almost perfect for this vehicle's size and weight (less than 3,400 pounds).
The turbo engine, which is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, has quick response and plenty of zip — enough that I found the vehicle capable of exceeding posted speed limits on freeways without my realizing it. I made judicious use of the cruise control while on high-speed highways to help avoid a surprise ticket.
Electric power steering was precise and predictable, and the four-wheel antilock disc brakes made for quick and sure stopping, even in the occasional near-panic situations that seem to occur with frequency when traffic gets thick.
Although noisier than larger, more expensive Buick models, the Encore is relatively quiet inside, aided by Buick's exclusive QuietTuning, which uses Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Four trim levels are offered: base, Convenience ($25,010, front drive), Leather ($26,710) and Premium. Add the $1,500 to any of those for the all-wheel drive.
The base model comes loaded with features such as OnStar, cruise control, ice-blue ambient interior lighting, premium cloth upholstery with “leatherette” accents, heated outside mirrors, six-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, and power windows/door locks with remote.
Also included are an AM/FM/CD/XM audio system with 7-inch color display/USB port/Bluetooth connectivity, leather-wrapped steering wheel, color-keyed carpeted floor mats, rear cargo cover, roof luggage rails, two gloveboxes, a theft-deterrent system, 18-inch painted cast-aluminum wheels and a compact spare tire with jack.
The Convenience model adds a self-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, dual automatic climate control, 120-volt power outlet and fog lamps.
With the Leather model comes leather seats, heated steering wheel and front seats, a power passenger seat and a driver memory package with settings for seat position, outside mirrors and climate control.
At the top, the Premium model has leather and most of the other features from the lower levels, along with rain-sensing wipers, a premium Bose seven-speaker audio system, front and rear park assist, forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, cargo net and a cargo mat.
Among available options are 18-inch chromed-aluminum wheels, a sunroof and an oil pan heater.
Standard safety features include 10 air bags, electronic stability control, rearview camera, cornering brake control with electronic brake assist, tire-pressure monitoring and a safety-cage body designed to protect the occupants.
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