Customers will begin to shop for the new 2013 Buick Encore small crossover at the very beginning of next year when it hits dealerships priced at $24,950, including a $750 destination charge. The minimally-sized crossover will be big on standard features, including Buick’s QuietTuning with Bose Active Noise Cancellation, 18-inch wheels, a rearview camera and a seven-inch high-res touchscreen interface with IntelliLink connectivity.
Including the base model, four trim levels will be offered on the Encore. The other three are the Convenience, Leather, and Premium groups.
For $25,760, a Convenience Group Encore builds on the base trim with dual-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start and fog lights. The $27,460 Leather Group includes all of the aforementioned features along with leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power passenger seat and driver’s seat memory functions.
For those willing to go all-out on the Encore, the $28,940 Premium Group is the model you want. This range-topping model features an ultrasonic front and rear park assist system, a Forward Collision Alert with Lane Departure Warning system, a seven-speaker Bose premium audio system with a subwoofer, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a cargo net and finally, an area cargo mat. Alas, there is no upgrade to the 140-horse 1.4L turbocharged Ecotec engine to go along with the myriad of creature comforts. Or a second armrest. Still, the 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for the front-drive model is the best out of any domestic crossover.
Options for the Encore vary, and include all-wheel drive ($1,500), satillite navigation ($795), 18-inch chrome-clad wheels ($995), a sunroof ($800) and a Bose premium audio system ($595, but otherwise standard on Premium model).
We imagine most people will go for the Leather and Premium groups for a few reasons. First, it’s never good to get the cheapest anything, ever. Second, with such a relatively low price point for a premium-branded vehicle with luxurious aspirations, optioning-out should fit in a lot of budgets.
Comments
This should be a nice upgrade for those Pontiac Vibe customers who are now ready to go a bit more upmarket. We sales consultants would certainly have liked for the standard model Encore to start at $23K, but that would’ve only made sense if the Verano started at $20-21K.
There’s needs to be an optional upgrade motor. The new 2.0T in the 2013 Malibu and ATS would be perfect.
I would be interested had not the fact this is based on a 13k car dissuaded me. I know its unfair but I cant help it.
The problem with the armrest isn’t the lack of a second armrest, it’s the lack of an armrest that is comfortable for the driver. That skinny fold-down thing might be OK for Chinese woman, but not for average American males. That and the lack of a better engine make this vehicle a disappointment. It’s sad, because the Encore is so nice in many other respects. But for a small vehicle take away performance and comfort and what is left?
I was in contact with the right GM manager to deal with these concerns within weeks of them having conducted a survey to get feedback from dealers. I thought they were in front of this earlier this year and would not let it miss. The problems were acknowledged, but now we learn that nothing was done. Sounds like the old GM still has plenty of life. Cultures don’t change without replacing the people who got into positions of power by, well, doing what they did before the bankruptcy.
I thought GM might be listening to what we say……really does not seem to be so often….ATS still is without basic luxuries for $34k……no sense at all