By now, you may already know that the subcompact architecture underpinning the Buick Encore and Opel Mokka will spawn a Chevrolet variant. Sources who are familiar with Chevy’s first-ever subcompact crossover say that it will be “distinctly Chevy” compared to its Buick and Opel brethren, with an entirely different driving disposition and the bow tie brand’s styling cues inside and out.
In fact, one source told us that the Chevy will have a totally different rear end compared to the Encore and Mokka.
The GM Authority Take
After driving the Buick Verano, own Manoli Katakis wrote the following:
Certainly there will be ignoramuses that will see the vehicles as the same model with minor change-ups (the stereotypical badge engineering practice), but this case would honestly be like comparing my college football-playing little brother with my female cousin who is an interior design major. They may share similar genes, but there are major differences between both.
So, if the Gamma-plus-based Chevy ute is to the Encore what Cruze is to the Verano — offering a substantially different personality and styling that doesn’t scream “rebadge” — then GM may just have a hit on its hands. From what it sounds like, we’re in for another case of well-done platform sharing, rather than the frowned-upon practice of badge engineering. And we can’t wait to see the resulting Chevy at an upcoming auto show (New York’s our guess).
Our only two questions: what engine will power the Chevy… and what name will it wear?
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Comments
” what engine will power the Chevy?”. Hmmm, lets see. since the Encore is actually a Sonic variant, err, “platform mate”and since the Encore will be powered by the same 1,4 turbo available on Sonic, call me crazy but I will take a wild guess that the Chevy Encore ” variant” will be powered by the 1.4 turbo.
GM definitely needs a powertrain that fits between 1.4 l and 2. 0 l. ECOTEC engines. Why not put the euro-spec 1.6 turbo under the Encore`s hood ? This engine has good performance ( at least in the Astra GTC ). That would better differentiate Buicks and Chevys.
I guess this won’t be the off road replacement for the Tracker I’ve been hoping for
This is almost exactly what I had been hoping for. Now I understand why GM had the appetite to import the Encore. It will make a Chevy version here (hopefully in Tennessee), which will invariably be a little lighter and might do a little better on fuel. If it keeps the digital speedometer from the Sonic, the folding front passenger seat from the Encore, and makes it a tad lower in height, it’s a grand slam home run for someone like me (empty-nest baby-boomer who commutes but still has an active weekend lifestyle). With a Chevy made domestically it’s no longer a problem to buy the Encore, as the two would likely share parts.
I don’t get the complaints from people about size. How much room do two people need? Not everyone is transporting a family and their stuff. What about couples and their stuff? The Encore, and now Chevy, will be perfect for a couple’s getaway to that remote location on a dirt road.
The chevy version will compete against the subaru products and be usefull for the couples or small families, the looks will not be the same and length may increase silightly for more room inside for storage, the new chevy name right now begins with the letter C but most likely will change….. more to come
When you say Subaru, I’m guessing that you’re referring to the Forester. It’s the smallest Subie crossover, but it still measures 180 inches in length and shares its architecture with the Impreza. Interesting!
If it’s to be like the SX4 it needs to have a FWD option. Not everyone needs AWD and the inherent fuel penalty. A vehicle in this class needs to get mid-30s highway, which should be achievable with the 1.4 Turbo. The added length might improve the ride and aerodynamics, which is good. On the other hand, the small wheels (16 inch?) that I’ve seen in some supposed spy shots look awkward. In my opinion, the 18 inch size of the Encore is ideal. 16-inch won’t cut it for rough roads, and they don’t look good within the larger wheel-well of a CUV.
I really thought the forester was in a different class, and this shows a common problem with Asian brand names in the North American market. I just got two different companies crossed — read Subaru and thought Suzuki.
Unless GM knows something about plans within Subaru (i.e., to come out with a smaller CUV), I’d be disappointed if they were trying to compete with the Forester. They need to do much better on fuel economy in something that’s in the Gamma class. I would think people willing to go subcompact are doing so in part for fuel economy. I’m thinking mid-30s on the highway.
The Forester is, in fact, in a different class. Measuring in at 168 inches in length, the Encore is a B-Segment subcompact through and through; the Forester comes in at 180 — the textbook definition of a compact C-Segment vehicle. So totally different classes of vehicles — even of the Chevy variant is a few inches longer than Encore.
Buick’s Envision, however, will be its compact offering — coming in around 180 inches in length. We’re not quite sure yet, but it seems that Chevy will get a version of the Envision for itself as well!
Is Chevy really going to have three 5-passenger cuvs!
Or if they move the equinox into 7 passenger than three 7-passenger suvs!
For the first time after bankruptcy I am worried about GM’s direction. They are taking out new model after model, at some point they will be unable to sustain the level of quality and brand differentiation needed to survive. For example, does Buick, a niche luxury player, really need 3 crossovers, when thats how many Ford has which is a volume brand, and Lexus, the brand Buick should be trying to be like, only has one, but the RX is the best. Instead of directly targeting the RX, buick is creating a crossover below it, the encore, and one in its range, the envision, but is that neccessary, why not build one that exactly competes with the RX, and make it the best.
Quality, not Quantity GM.
The only brand they are doing perfectly is Cadillac, and maybe Chevy, but Buick and GMC are really worrying.
Alex you are right chevy will get a version not sure if US sales will be made.
Is this not identical to the Chevy Orlando sold in Canada already?
The Encore? No, it’s totally and completely different (except for the 1.4L powertrain).
Jim, the new Impreza is going to have a sister model called the Crosstrek (Subaru XV in other parts of the world). It’s an Impreza hatchback but with almost 9 inches of ground clearance…it should also get close to 36 mpg hwy with the CVT transmission option. This is probably going to replace the Forester which is supposed to be moving to a larger platform, possibly to take over as a replacement for the Tribeca. I’m very very interested in the Subaru Crosstrek, but as a GM employee, I’m holding out hope that the Encore or Chevy version will be competitive.
I’m also quite intrigued by the Crosstreck… assuming it will make its way over to the States. This is just proof positive that GM needs to reassess its crossover strategy and create a true compact crossover off the Delta II that will be competitive with the Escape, Tucson, and Crosstreck. Although I imagine the Subie to be the most fun to drive out of all of those.
I started comparing the specs on the 2012 Impreza/CrossTrek to the Encore and they are actually quite similar. The Encore, being on a smaller platform, gives up 3-4″ in wheelbase, but the overall cargo capacity (seats down) is within a cubic foot of the Impreza. Ground clearance of the Encore (6.2″) is better than the Impreza (5.7″) but not even close to the CrossTrek (8.7″). The Subaru is going to have 8 more hp (assuming GM doesn’t kick up the #’s for the 1.4L) and at the same time the Subaru also weighs up to 240 lbs less (the price of luxury). I would imagine this is going to push the 0-60mph times of the Buick into the high 10’s. It will be interesting to see what the Encore is able to achieve in the mpg department. Going to be tough to beat 36 mpg of the Subaru CVT. However, the 1.4 turbo might be nice for those who live at high elevations where the normally aspirated Subaru is going to run out of breath pretty quickly.
Went to the Houston Auto Show yesterday — looking for a commuter vehicle that could also carry my sea kayak without going to an after-market or clip-on rack. (I cringe at the thought of having a body shop drill holes into a brand new vehicle.) A Buick Encore was not available for viewing, and only two (newly refreshed) vehicles met that need — the Mazda 3 and the Subaru Impreza Sport. I came away thinking that, for a 4-wheel drive vehicle, the Impreza should be a tad higher in ground clearance. I wasn’t sold on their CVT, and after reading some reviews, I now have to strike the Impreza, or a Crosstrek, off the list. I don’t understand how a CVT that tends to run high RPMs does better on highway fuel than a manual 5 speed that, according to one reviewer, has too-much overdrive. The CVT is reportedly loud as well (so I’d be concerned about refinement/reliability), as is the Mazda on road noise. These are issues for someone interested in the Buick Encore. Chevy could compete in this area (and bring me back as a customer) if they build a small CUV or hatch — something with the refinement of a Cruze is all that is needed. The Reuss statement on taking sales away from the Equinox really bothers me. I want to support GM but clearly they have not changed from the “bigger is better” mentality. This doesn’t fit with JD’s indication that Chevy will be entering the CUV game on the Gamma platform to compete with Subaru. Or maybe they will but sell it only in Europe. Maybe I just need to move overseas.
Interesting analysis. We know a Chevy variant is on the way, but I don’t think GM has decided whether or not it will be offered in the States.
Which statement from Reuss are you referring to? Do you have a link? 🙂
Alex, here ya go. How would you interpret the Equinox reference …
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2012/01/2012-detroit-auto-show-2013-14-buick-encore-unveiled.html
That’s very interesting. We have it on good record that a Chevy variant is coming… but, like we describe in the article, it won’t look or feel like the same car as the Encore.
That said, Reuss’ comment highlights Chevy’s CUV strategy. The fact that the Equinox is a mid-sized crossover trying to do what a compact CUV does is a problem. The Equinox, in my opinion, should grow a bit to become a truly midsized CUV with a third row… And a compact CUV should be offered below it that would compete with the likes of the Sportage, Tucson, and new Escape.
Let us do some digging about this car 🙂
I’m looking forward to hearing more on this from you. If the Chevy entry is stretched a bit (as indicated by JD) and a tad lower it would be aesthetically better than the Encore, and probably perform better too. Having now seen the (chopped off) Sonic hatch I think there is still a gaping hole in Chevy’s lineup. I’m in total agreement with you on the strategic question of where to slot the Equinox and this new CUV entry.
Looking forward to seeing this and agree that the chevy will be competitive to the Sportage. It’d be really cool to see Chevy offer it with the new 2.0L turbo that’s coming similiar to a Sportage SX.
i always wondered why they made the encore first? why couldn’t they just make a buick variant of the sonic first. with distinct buickness. then again i guess who would buy it since that sized car is generally sold to younger people and buick isn’t aiming at them so nevermind.