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Community Question: What Do You Want To Know About The Buick Encore?

Tomorrow morning, Tuesday January 22, we will be attending a media drive for the 2013 Buick Encore. As we do, we wanted to see if you had any questions you would like us to ask Buick to supplement our own. It’s been a year since the little crossover was first unveiled during last year’s North American International Auto Show, so we’ve all certainly had more than enough time to reflect on the vehicle.

So, let’s hear some questions, people!

Former staff.

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Comments

  1. i think i have a few…. first it would be if there will be a more powerful engine other than the 1.4T (1.6T, 2.0T, etc)? Of course there will be “SOMEBODY” that will ask about the center armrest ( @veranohatchforus), and if there will be HID headlights for Encore and Verano since LaCrosse, Enclave, and Regal have those?

    Reply
    1. Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock….

      Reply
  2. Why is it so ugly? Is this thing “Aztek based”? But seriously, who is the buyer for this thing?

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    1. young professionals or older people that wants a crossover but don’t want something big like enclave but has to be fuel efficient

      Reply
    2. Aztek was just ahead of it’s time and was actually a very capable vehicle. Look at cars like the X6 or Crosstour, same design concept but a decade later.

      Reply
  3. 1. Will the Buick Encore adopt e-assist in the near future?

    2. When will the rear parking assist and ultrasonic features become available on Buick Encore?

    3. Are there any plans to upgrade the infotainment screen to the larger more commonly used infotainment screens used in most GM vehicles?

    Reply
  4. Do they plan to move production to the US now that orders from dealers are significantly higher than they were anticipating. As they could build it at Orion assembly which is currently running on only two shifts and millions of square feet for added production lines.

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  5. How exactly does the Buick Encore differ from the Opel Mokka, and are there any differences between the Encores marketed in China and North America?

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  6. When will the Encore diesel be available, and when can we expect a dual clutch transmission?

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    1. A dual clutch in the Encore???

      Reply
  7. 1) I 100% won’t be buying an Encore until push-button start added, so what model year can I expect that feature?
    2) When will you stop putting that horrid mono-color DIC in your new models?
    3) Since lane departure is a barely needed feature, why not add BLIS instead since that comes into play every single time that 2 cars pass each other?
    4) 1 tiny armrest is asymmetrical and creepy, why not zero or 2?
    5) I can afford a power lift gate so why isn’t that an option?
    6) Will any of the trims offer painted color-matched lower body moldings or will they all be unpainted plastic?

    My wife and I can’t wait to see your new ‘luxury’ crossover in person, we hope it’s a winner!

    Marc Madden
    2012 Buick LaCrosse Touring
    Very active user on http://www.buickforums.com/

    Reply
  8. Love the Looks, but for this size and price range when will we be able to get an engine & transmission combo that would give a more competitive high 30’s MPG Highway?

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  9. Little late since you are probably on the road, but does it have heat!!!! 1 degree here in Detroit!

    One of these passed us on the road yesterday. We both agreed that after the kids (6 years) are gone we want one of these with a mid sized 2 seat pickup for me.

    Reply
  10. These will be successful IF AND ONLY IF lease programs are very very favorable. $250 per month and below for the base. The overall size and capability is so freaking similar to a Verano.. what are you DOING?! Should have left it as an Opel. Wagons/niche-y crossovers are Europe’s thing. I want to see it do well but I just don’t get it.

    Reply
  11. Also if they’re going to make the infotainment screen to be touchscreen? Also about power liftgate?

    Reply
  12. I know it’s an expensive Sonic sold at dealerships I don’t frequent. And it really has no reason for being, at least as a Buick (this thing has Chevy buyer written all over it) Anything else I need to know?

    Reply
    1. That you’re out of step with consumer trends by about 30 years.

      Reply
  13. Why is it built in South Korea?
    Will production ever move back to the U.S. where it belongs?

    My mother would have absolutely considered buying one until we learned it was built in South Korea.

    Note to GM:
    You can’t keep building out of the States but still expect those that want a real American vehicle to buy the foreign made stuff.

    Reply
    1. what do you mean with “real american vehicle”. did you know that the encore was engineerd in germany and the platform which underpins it comes from south korea? sorry, but an american built and engineerd toyota tundra is definitely more american for me than this tiny fake american car. i would never spend money on a car like this just because general motors has its headquarters in detroit.

      Reply
      1. WHY ARE YOU COMPARING A LITTLE CROSSOVER TO A BIG TRUCK?????

        Reply
      2. dess12, I think you mis-read my post.

        That’s what I’m saying.
        The Encore is not an American car just because it has Buick written on it. And that’s a travesty. That’s why my mother will not buy one.
        And really, why couldn’t they build this vehicle here. I believe it’s on the same platform as the Chevy Sonic. They can build them side-by-side with the Sonic & Verano at the Orion Township plant.

        For me, I not only want my car to be assembled in the U.S., I want the majority of it parts made in the U.S. And it has to be an American based company. Meet all 3 of those requirements and I will consider that car. Anything else, forget about it.

        Reply
        1. @camval1 The Encore is a test vehicle, to gauge market response to such an offering. That’s why the investment has not been made to produce it in the U.S. just yet. Also, while the Encore shares its Gamma architecture with the Sonic, it is modified for the Encore (to accomodate AWD, longer wheelbase, etc.). The Encore’s platform is more of a Gamma Plus, as discussed here:
          http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/12/buick-encore-to-ride-on-gamma-plus-platform/

          As such, the investment to build it at Orion isn’t as insignificant as it may seem. Just some food for thought…

          Reply
          1. Gamma architecture not only as the Chevrolet Sonic/Aveo, but also as the Chevrolet Spark, and Opel Meriva, Opel Corsa, Opel Adam, Chevrolet Onix and also Chevrolet Spin. Chevrolet Sail probably too.

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        2. I don’t think you fully realize what cars are american and which aren’t. This is a global world. Your ‘american obligation’ is more so stubbornness without knowledge.

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    2. The encore is a very attractive vehicle, and my wife wanted to buy one as soon as she saw one. Alas, I do not own or drive foreign cars period. Come on gm, they build Honda’s, Hyandai’s, Toyota;s etc. in the United States. Buick needs to be a premium American motor car. There are many others that feel the way I do. I currently own two Pontiacs, Buick needs customers like myself.

      Reply
    3. The encore is a very attractive vehicle, and my wife wanted to buy one as soon as she saw one. Alas, I do not own or drive foreign cars period. Come on gm, they build Honda’s,, Toyota;s etc. in the United States. Buick needs to be a premium American motor car. There are many others that feel the way I do. I currently own two Pontiacs, Buick needs customers like myself. American only.

      Reply
  14. Why is a garage door opener function not included?

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  15. Why no inteli-link for opening garage doors and turning on lights?

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  16. Is the back big enough to store stuff or a dog? I want to buy one for my wife

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    1. Opel says that the Mokka, the Encore’s twin, provides from 362 liters in the trunk, expandable to 1372 liters by folding the back bench (this corresponds to 95.63 to 362.44 US gallons).

      Reply
  17. Will Buick offer an electronic assist (open adn close) for the rear trunk? and will they offer the homelink system in the vehicle so you can open and close your garage doors?

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  18. The problem with everything you all want is common, it costs money, which raises the sticker price and starts to defeat the purpose of a small and cheap CUV.

    Reply
  19. Is there ever a chance to get the awesome bike rack from the Mokka (or can I buy it as an accessory)? Also, the interior wood… will it ever be real? Are the TPMS programmable to allow a winter wheel/tire setup without TPMS? is a roof rack available? Will there be launch leases? What’s the expected build percentage for the Leather Package FWD (you can tell this is the one I want)? And yeah… to ask the question everyone else is asking… more power?

    Reply
  20. Camval, GM is a global company building cars all over the world. I am all about buying an American built car but in some cases GM is not able to do that effectively in the US. Do you lelize that most foreign auto makers manufacturing here are not bogged down by the unions, there factories are not Unionized. This allows them to pay whatever salaries they feel necissary to stay competitive… GM does not have that luxury and thus cannot possibly build every car it manufactures in the US. Is there something wrong with South Korea. Also by supporting GM you do support Anerican jobs…

    Reply
  21. Why did they give it those squirrel cheeks under the headlights? Glance at the rest of the Buick lineup and you will see no such impurities.

    My sister was looking for a compact CUV and this was GM’s only offering, despite not being out quite yet. She said she’d buy it if it didn’t have those squirrel cheeks.

    Obviously since they won’t change it for just her she went ahead to the Hyundai dealership. I begged her not to go, but she couldn’t get past the design. Sorry, GM.

    Reply
    1. The Tucson is a nice vehicle.
      I had it along with it’s Kia brother on the long list for my sister-in-law to consider. They ended up getting a killer deal on a Verano though, loaded to the tits (1SL) in white diamond tri-coat on cocoa leather. Only downside is the slow 2.4L. But for $29k taxes in off the showroom floor who can complain (that car as optioned lists for $36200 on the Buick Canada site).

      Reply
      1. Tucson is nice. But Hyundai, like Honda, don’t understand quietness

        Reply
  22. this should be available as a chevy trax. they make an “up-scale” buick but leave off all the luxury stuff. what’s up with that? If they are supposedly selling lot’s of orders there is room for a chevy version without leather and such for $20K

    Reply
    1. Reply
  23. Andrew: “Aztek was just ahead of it’s time”….

    Have you lost your nut?!!!!!

    Literally, if you said that with a straight face – that is nearly the funniest
    thing I have ever heard!

    Reply
    1. Nope, I think all this negative hype about the Aztek has gone to people’s heads. Was the Aztek ugly? Yes. But look at the Crosstour and X6, both of those are ugly, yet here they are 10 years later.
      The Aztek was one of the first CUVs, it offered great utility, AWD, and the V6 still offered good MPG for the time. It broke away from the conventional body-on-frame SUV.
      It was economical yet still had many of the capabilities of a larger SUV with a V8. It could hold 4’x8′ sheets, and had a roll out cargo tray that could hold 400lbs. Plus, the camping option, which might sound stupid. But how many hundreds of thousands of people go camping every year with their family? Opel has a rear bumper foldout bike rack, sounds just as gimmicky yet people buy it. Same goes for Dodge with the chilled glove boxes.
      The biggest problem for the Aztek was it’s styling at the time, the 4-door tear drop didnt fly, and people were used to tough SUVs, and this was essentially a wussy SUV.
      Now when it hits “top ugly” lists the amount of exterior plastic is to blame.
      My biggest gripe is the stacked head lights.
      It’s sales failed because of price, it was aimed at a demographic that mostly couldn’t afford it.

      The Aztek broke ground in many areas and started a trend that is now common. The capable CUV.

      Reply
  24. The Aztek reponses were spot on ! The first thing I thought when seeing this short wheel based model with the high beltline….the AZTEK . This combination on a short wheelbase makes the little monster look top heavy . The sort a little old school teacher would drive cautiously to school for one last year , before retiring to her knitting . God , man make the vehicle look a bit like it is already in motion . The CRV from Honda is selling like hot cakes and looks like it can climb tall mountains , leap across wide valleys , lordy , where’s my cape….Honda I’m there , hold on a moment , can’t get into my tights anymore , and wifey , where the hell did you put my dentures ??

    Reply
  25. So if the Aztec was so hideous what was the Buick Rendezvous, they were litteraly the same just different bodies… I will admit the Aztec was poorly designed and did not represent Pontiac well… But I knew a couple that had the whole tent attachment thing and loved it..,

    Reply
  26. Bought a chevy sonic hatch 3 months ago. Wife was waiting for encore. Will drive her over to check it out and see if the price difference is worth it. 1.4T doesn’t cut it for this size of vehicle. Something around 205 hp would be sweet.

    Reply
  27. With reguards to the Aztek, Andrew is right.

    Look at the body style of the Aztek. It’s a lifted Kammback body.

    What is the X6? A lifted Kammback.

    Reply
  28. Will a manual and/or larger engine become available?

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  29. I have 2 questions.

    1: Will the all wheel drive be available with a manual transmission?
    2: If yes to above, will the AWD system bolt into a Chevy Sonic?

    Reply
  30. Needing an aftermarket kit to open and close the trunk lift gate!

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  31. The Opel Mokka Flex Fit bike rack is awesome.. why cant we buy it here in the U.S. for our Encores ?

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  32. The Opel Mokka “Flex Fit” bike rack is awesome.. Why cant we get it here in the U.S. for our Encores ?

    Reply
  33. I have a 2013 Buick Encore and silver around the gear shift is peeling off. What can be done, I don’t have the money to fix it

    Reply

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