Buick is trying to break into the market for small luxury SUVs with its new Encore, introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The all-new Encore, a luxury small crossover delivers Buick’s signature style, interior acoustic refinement and collection of luxury amenities in a maneuverable, versatile and efficient package. The company wants the Encore to be more upscale than the Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V, which are also small SUVs build on car rather than truck frames. The new Encore is will compete with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. It is due in showrooms early in 2013. General Motors, owner of the Buick brand, thinks luxury buyers will want a crossover that’s smaller than its midsize Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. The Encore will still have high seating, maneuverability and amenities normally reserved for larger luxury vehicles.
The powertrain is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with six-speed automatic transmission, similar to one that makes 138 horsepower and runs the Chevrolet Cruze. Engineers tuned the Encore to be quiet, with engine and suspension isolation techniques used in the larger Buick LaCrosse sedan. Encore has a thick laminated glass-and-plastic windshield to cut down on wind noise and electronic noise cancellation technology.
