BUICKEncore 2013 - 2016

　　Buick tried to gain more traction on the market with a small-sized premium crossover named Encore in 2014, competing in a segment where mass-market brands provided most vehicles.

　　While some automakers tried to make their SUVs larger, Buick tried to gain success by shrinking its vehicles and making them more suitable for the urban environment. That’s how the Encore appeared in 2013 as a subcompact crossover. GM built it on the same platform, Gamma II, as the European Opel Mokka and the Chevrolet Traxx. To make it appealing for those looking for a small-sized vehicle, the Encore had to be safe, and GM achieved that. The car got five stars from the NHTSA, and its fuel-efficient engines made it a great alternative for other small-sized vehicles. Furthermore, it was available with a front or an all-wheel drive system.

　　Sporting Buick’s signature waterfall grille with 13 chromed vertical slats made the Encore stand out from the crowd. That was flanked by organic-shaped headlights fitted with clear lenses and projector beams. The lower bumper sported a black lower section made to withstand better against curbs or small scratches in the parking lot. Furthermore, a silver trim covered the lowest side of the apron, mimicking a skid plate. A pair of fog lamps in black scoops flanked the front bumper and were emphasized by chromed trims.

　　From its profile, the subcompact crossover showed its tall stance and short overhangs, ideal for urban driving environments. The windshield followed almost the same line as the sloped hood, and a set of roof rails adorned the top of the car. Thanks to the sculptured door panels and the enlarged rear fenders, the Encore looked muscular, while the black trims around the wheel arches and the side sills created the impression of a vehicle with a high ground clearance. Buick’s designers had to follow the same shape as its European sibling, the Mokka and made an almost vertical tailgate adorned at the top by a roof spoiler.

　　But most importantly, Buick hoped that the interior would be its strongest advantage in the segment. Thanks to the leather-wrapped cabin and rich features, it provided customers with an upscale experience. In front of the driver, the automaker installed an instrument cluster with a binocular design where it fitted the speedometer and tachometer on the outer sides, flanking the fuel and coolant temperature gauge and a small TFT display between them. Atop the center stack, the Encore featured a seven-inch color LCD for the IntelliLink voice-activated radio that sent its sound through a standard Bose sound system. The car offered 18.8 cu-ft (533 liters) of trunk space behind the split-folding rear seat and 48.4 cu-ft (1,372 liters) with the rear seat folded.

　　There was only one engine-gearbox option for both versions of the 2WD and 4WD Encore, and that was a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline unit that was paired with a six-speed automatic.

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