The Buick Encore is one of Buick’s newest nameplates. Having launched for the 2013 model year, the small utility vehicle has posted sales gains every year, quickly earning the title as Buick’s best-selling (and least-expensive) model, ending calendar year 2017 with just over 88,000 U.S. deliveries (see Buick Encore sales). Buick is looking to continue the Encore’s sales success, but new rivals are quickly entering the space with newer and more competitive products. This turn of events has the Tri Shield brand working on an all-new second-generation Encore, which our spy photographer has spotted.
2017 Buick Encore
Spied for the first time in Metro Detroit, this future Buick Encore prototype is heavily camouflaged, making it difficult to see any tangible details. However, the tester appears to be slightly larger than the current, first-generation model. We should note, though, that this could be a matter of the prototype’s camouflage and proportions tricking our eyes.
The next Encore will certainly wear the latest Buick design language introduced on the third-generation Buick LaCrosse, second-gen Buick Enclave, and sixth-gen Buick Regal. The second-gen Encore also gives Buick an opportunity to address various shortcomings of the current model, such as:
- Adding a center console with an armrest for both of the front passengers. By comparison, the current model lacks an armrest for the front passenger, which has been a topic of much criticism from current owners.
- Offering a more powerful engine choice (as an option). The current Encore is somewhat underpowered, especially compared to European rivals such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40 – all of which have over 200 horsepower as standard. By comparison, the base engine in the current Encore makes 138 horsepower, while the optional motor makes 153 horses.
2017 Buick Encore interior photographed at the 2016 New York International Auto Show
A big unknown about the next Encore car is the platform that it will utilize. The vehicle could be underpinned by the GM G2 platform, or be one of the first (if not the very first) GM vehicles to switch to a GM Vehicle Set.
GM has previously forecasted that its plans on putting into production the very first vehicles on its upcoming vehicle sets in the 2020 calendar year. If the next Encore will, in fact, utilize a GM vehicle set, then it will utilize either the VSS-F or VSS-S variants.
The Buick Encore launched for the 2013 model year and then got a facelift (aka midcycle enhancement) for the 2017 model year. Expect the next Encore to launch in calendar year 2019 or 2020 as a 2020 or 2021 model year vehicle. Production of the model could stay in South Korea (the current model is produced at the GM Bupyeong plant), though it isn’t out of the question for assembly to be moved to a GM plant in North America.
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Comments
As an Owner of the 2015 (man how time flies) I agree that missing passenger armrest is an annoyance. And I was in the pre touch screen era — and all those knobs and buttons are kind of annoying. I’d like to see —
1. A redesign of the backseat. Many smaller hatches offer a rolling backseat bench. So when you need more leg room (which isn’t uncommon), you push the bench back a few inches. When you need more storage in back — you push it up a little. Most couples that buy this will leave the bench up most of the time but when driving guests move it back. This saves you from making the car bigger.
2. The drivers seats could be a little more comfortable. They’re not bad but they’re kind of lacking for a sorta luxury car.
3. I don’t want more power in the engine. WRONG DIRECTION. I want better mileage. (I don’t mind that a sportier engine be an option of course.)
4. A Volt or Bolt version of the Encore is a license to print money.
5. All driver assist tech standard.
Well said.
I think you’ll see a lot more basic active safety features standard… while the more advanced stuff will be optional.
That said, which subcompact models offer a sliding rear seat?
The more power will likely come from an optional engine… the “new” 1.4L LE2 will likely end up as standard.
“many smaller hatches” = what was I smoking?
By ‘smaller hatches’ I meant SubCompact SUVish cars.
By ‘many’ I mean some… but most of my cars I’ve bought like this. You see I’ve been driving the ‘Encore’ since it was a Mitsubishi Expo LRV, then the Suzuki Vitara, then the Nissan Cube, and now Encore. Same basic car… dancing between a micro mini van to micro suv.
The Expo and Cube definitely offer this feature. I believe the Suzuki did. Oh — the absolute BEST thing about the LRV was that you could not only move that bench but remove it entirely. Mindblowing.
Thanks for the clarification 🙂
It’s interesting that some of these less popular models like the Cube, Expo and Vitara offered it. From what I know, none of the current B-segment crossovers offer it – which is peculiar given the obvious advantages of such a feature. I think it would be great to see it on the Encore, since the second-gen Equinox and first-gen Terrain offered it.
A wild zebra in its natural habitat…
One has to thing this might be an EV replacement of the current Buick Encore given that General Motors CEO Mary Barra said there would be 2 additional Electric Vehicles that would be launched in the next 18 months and one of them would be a crossover; it would be very easy for Buick to take components from Chevrolet’s Bolt for this new Encore if it is a EV.
Mary Barra all but announced there will be an electric Encore. Hopefully it will be assembled in Lake Orion Michigan.
PIcked up a 17′ model Essence pkge AWD–we love it’
Agree, yes console would be a must–2 armrests as well. The driver’s armrest seems positioned extremelly high when folded down–your right elbow has to be raised to an unnatural position to rest uncomfortably on the folded arm.
Base engine is more than adequate for us; with Buicks quite ride you sneak up on 125 kms per hour without realizing it
I read the story and look forward to checking out the new model. I like the existing one, but it’s a bit to small plus a few odd things need to be fixed in the next one. Such as no power recliner for the front seats. That should be a given in this class. My 11 year old Mazda 6i 5-door has them.
Needs a power hatch
One of the things they don’t advertise about the more powerful turbo 4 cylinder engines is the fact that they require 93 octane gasoline. 93 octane gas costs almost a dollar more per gallon. You’ll get this surprise in the owners manual after you buy the vehicle.
We bought our first Premium AWD Encore in 2013 and loved it. We traded it for a 2017 model. We really miss the brown interior (dash) of the 2013 we got the brown seats but the dash is black and shows dust really quick. We love our Encore for 2 people we rarely found things that we can’t haul and it seats 4 adults comfortably. It would be nice to be able to move the back seat to adjust for more room where needed. We like the great gas mileage and would not mind if that would be improved or even would like eventually see an electric car. The arm rest has never been an issue for us but it would be a nice upgrade along with power reclining seats, automatic lifting hatch and my husband would love for the cooling seats. Engine power has never been an issue for us. Living in an area with lots of snow and ice we have always been able to get through a reasonable amount of snow. We buy the premium to get all the upgrades and would not mind paying a little more for those options. If Buick keeps upgrading the Encore for a reasonable price we will keep owning an Encore!!!
A list of improvements that would be nice
1. 2 arm rests
2. full power driver seat!
3. Ability to lift wiper blades up (Think of people in colder climates with lots of snow/ice)
4. Block heater without having to spend another $1100 to upgrade the engine to do so!!!
5. more comfortable drivers passenger seat in this class
6. power hatch
7. ability to fold down back seat flat easier
I find it odd that the grille under the camo looks like a Chevy grille rather than a Buick waterfall grille.