The 2013 Buick Encore has turned out to be a decidedly appropriate addition to the Buick product portfolio, selling 9,972 units so far this year through May. And for the 2014 model year, the subcompact crossover is getting a few changes and improvements, starting with the discontinuation of the Glacier Blue Metallic color, thereby leaving Brilliant Blue Metallic as the only blue hue in the Encore’s color palette. Finalizing the short list of changes to the 2014 model is the addition of new safety equipment, including Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert.
Official Changes
Deletions
- Exterior color (GCW) Glacier Blue Metallic
New Features
- (UFG) Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert
Changes
- RPO Change: (DLS) outside heated power-adjustable, body-color, manual-folding mirrors replace (DG6)
Comments
That number sounds decent Alex, but do you know if GM made a projection for sales and what that may be?
I’m not aware of any public-facing sales projections for the Encore… but the way I look at it, the vehicle is pure gravy for GM, as they didn’t need to invest anything for a Buick-specific version. Contrast that with the Regal, whose sales need to support its own manufacturing efforts in Canada, and something tells me the Encore, even at say 1,000 unit sales a month, is a very profitable proposition.
I have a strong feeling you’re right Alex. They are selling every one they are sending over and had extremely little to invest for the Buick version. Long wait times are bad for the dealers, but great for GM, at least for a while. And the Mokka has exceeded expectations in Europe. I can only assume the Trax is doing well. GM can afford to wait quite a while before bothering to do anything like adding the 1.6T or more trim levels or whatever. Score one for GM.
Yupp, completely agree. It’s a growing segment, and GM seems to have the best product right now. Good stuff, GM.
This just confirms what I’ve been saying on this site for a long time, that people want utility in a small package for better mileage in both commuting and vacations. There are a lot of people out there who are either single or a couple, i.e., have no kids. They need something to haul themselves and their stuff. It’s not about hauling themselves and a pile of steel.
With adequate storage, roof flexibility, and luxury, it then becomes all about miles per gallon, which the Encore doesn’t even particularly do well relative to its footprint. So imagine how good the numbers will be once GM provides an upgrade on the engine/transmission, and, of course, a fix for that pitiful armrest.
The popularity of the Encore is not even lost on the import oriented Northwest as my parents have been waiting over 4 months for the one they ordered and the Buick Dealer is unable to even locate one that is somewhat similar to their order as a replacement.
None of the Buick Dealers here seem to be able to keep them in stock longer than a week.
Seems like America is having simlar problems as Europe, that is unable to keep up with demand. Maybe a possible solution is build Mokka in Spain thus having Spain at full capacity & then with the additional capacity in Korea build more Encore’s, meaning both factory’s run at full capacity & can easily keep up with demand for the product, thus customers are happy.
The announced lead time for an Encore order is 110-120 days. 4 months is normal.
A recent client of mine had an Encore brochure on their desk. They have an Enclave in their driveway.
You can call it downsizing, but if the need of them and their driving habits have changed in the last 5 years, I would look at compact luxury CO’s rather than the Full-sizers. And even if they don’t get the Encore, people are looking at the car, and in my opinion, the client is the right kid of person to look at Buick.
With the overwhelming success of the Mokka maybe in the future we may see a Astra based crossover to rival the X1 & Q3.
wonderful vehicle…..love it…..I bet Cadillac will have a similar one someday?
I can hardly wait for Cadillac to have one. Mainly to compare
This car is expensive, small, slow, and ugly. Isn’t the new SRX all of these things? So why does Buick need to build this gaudy, overstyled lump?
Chris, I agree that the styling is polarizing, even debatable. Price is subjective. Speed isn’t a factor for a lot of people, if the vehicle at least moves around town. Personally I’ve said this vehicle needs the new 1.6T, but this is enough power for a lot of buyers. The real problem comes with your inclusion of small on the list of negatives. That is the big plus for this vehicle, as more and more people are downsizing their vehicles. The subcompact crossover is growing beyond a niche into a true category and it will continue to grow. By the way, the SRX is not slow thanks to its 300+ horses, and these days it is not small anymore either.
why do a half arse job, no memory seats, missing 1 armrest, and why not put the Voltec drive train? those three and it would be a super hit
Hi Alex – when will 2014 be available to order. Also do suspect if a new armrest and/or push button start be in a future model?
Also you missed enhancements to the infotainment system with eyes free/Siri and a hitch option for add on accessories for 2014 model year.
Thanks
I ordered an Encore back in early April. Apparently I “missed the date” to special order a 2013, so I am supposedly getting a 2014. I too am interested when the 2014’s will be hitting the dealerships, Alex. Thanks so much for all the information. This vehicle is PERFECT except for maybe the horsepower. Why is the SUV industry UP-sizing their vehicles (new Rav4)? I think the big sell will be smaller SUVs like the Encore.
I want the Encore but I am hesitant in buying because of the negative report from Consumer Reports. I wish it had more HP and I think that would sell me. The salesman did not take me on the freeway when I test drove it so maybe I should go to another and test drive again.
Good comments- I agree about why skimp on some areas. It appears the Encore is going to be a winner, so finish the job and put a decent arm rest in, make the monitor touch screen, which should have been done in the first place, push button start, and make the mirrors with the integrated turn signals- use the Enclave mirrors.
The Encore is certainly one of Buicks most egregious styling blunders since the dreadful Aztec-ique Rendezvous. I can clearly see why American vehicles have completely fallen off the grid in terms of what the imports have to offer. I’m not one to be pro-import, but the only new American made vehicle I’d consider owning is the Tesla Model S. But I don’t have $80K to blow on a new car, so my 2002 Nissan Altima with 243K on the odometer will hold me over for another 100K on the odometer.
The few Encores that I’ve seen we’re all being piloted by middle aged women. It’s quite ironic because the few Pontiac Aztecs that I saw when new and the iota of Aztecs I see today were being driven by middle aged women as well. I guess old women don’t suffer quite the same way old men do when going trough a midlife crisis. With old men it’s netting a new Corvette or Camaro convertible, and aging women it’s Buick Encores and Jeep Cherokees. Young men and women prefere avant garde imports anyday over any American brand for obvious reasons.