If you spend five seconds in and around the Buick Encore, you will understand why Buick is killing the Verano compact sedan in the Canada and the U.S.
The materials and the execution are both good in the 2016 Buick Encore, but the infotainment interface is clunky and dated and the screen — NOT a touchscreen — is small and poorly located.
The Encore, a small crossover wagon aimed at slightly upscale buyers – perhaps even over-achieving Millennials, if you believe the ads — is a completely sensible rig that looks sharp, rides well and has low ownership costs. The Encore also boasts excellent quality and top-notch crash test scores.
Moreover, the Encore’s ride height, somewhere between a traditional SUV (sport-utility vehicle) and a traditional passenger car, makes it a gem to enter and exit for Baby Boomers with aching backs – and it’s just the ticket if you’re a Millennial loading and unloading kids in car seats. That high seating position delivers excellent outward visibility and at the rear you’ll find an easy-load cargo area with enough room for golf clubs or a kiddie playpen.
2016 Buick Verano: GM will cut this model from its lineup, according to reports.
The Encore perfectly illustrates why sales of small, premium crossovers and SUVs are up about 20 per cent this year, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. This little runabout rig drives like a car, is loaded with technology and at $28,505 is relatively affordable.
The Verano, while a very nice little four-door with excellent quality, sits low and lacks the overall functionality of its Encore cousin. You can get an Encore
Here’s what Buick has done to improve the 2017 Encore’s interior.
with front- or all-wheel drive, while the Verano is a front-driver only. Both are easy to park in tight underground spaces.
2016 Buick Encore interior.
The Verano’s sole advantage over the Encore is price. The cheapest Verano lists for $24,190 – more than $4,000 less than the base Encore. That’s a big chunk of coin for most of us, though in a zero-interest world it amounts to, what, $40 a month or so for five years.
This brings us to the latest news from Detroit: Buick will phase out the Verano after the 2017 model year. Automotive News, citing a company source, reports that General Motors does not plan to bring to North America the clean-sheet redesign of the Verano launched in China last year.
Why? Buick is having particular success with its crossovers, including the Encore, the full-size Enclave and the compact Envision heading to dealerships in just weeks.
2016 Buick Encore from the front.
The Encore that was launched in 2013 – making it a leader among premium small crossovers — will soon become the gateway to the Buick brand. Already Buick sells more Encores than any other model in its lineup, and officials say about half of Encore buyers are coming from outside Buick in particular and GM in general.
Still, Buick could improve the current 2016 Encore, and plans to do so for 2017. The 2017 Encore gets a new front end and that’s okay, but not critical. Noteworthy is the upgraded interior and new connectivity IntelliLink technology – including available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The 2017 Buick Encore.
The updated Encore will also get push-button start and keyless unlock via the exterior door handles, and an eight-inch colour touch screen. The infotainment updates are very much welcome.
Still, the basic Encore – its underpinnings and such – will not change for 2017. Here’s some advice for a budding Encore buyer, then: if you are okay with the current vehicle’s dated gizmos, look for attractive deals on the 2016 model. Those deals will be in play to clear out what’s left of the current crossover in advance of the new one’s arrival.
2017 Encore nose.
2016 BUICK ENCORE FWD PREMIUM (tested vehicle)
THE LOOK: Waterfall grille, the chrome accents and surrounds and even portholes on the hood – the standard Buick styling cues are all there. Note the body-colour door handles with chrome strips. Very nice. And at the rear is a stainless steel exhaust tip. Buick does not get enough credit of its designs, which are clean and tasteful.
THE DRIVE: The stat sheet says the little 1.4-litre turbo motor puts out just 138 hp/148 lb-ft of torque. Yet this engine feels stronger than the numbers. In the city, responses are quick but not jerky. The steering is numb-ish. The ride is very quiet and controlled.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS: The base model is very well equipped, from StabiliTrak stability control to electronic cruise control, QuietTuning, Bose Active Noise Cancellation and a rearview camera. My tester had a $2,890 Experience Buick Package that included SiriusXM radio, navigation, power moonroof and spoke chromed aluminum wheels. That package, however, was discounted $1,100. Remember what I said about sales sweeteners on the 2016 Encore?
THE CABIN/STORAGE: The interior design is tasteful and well done in terms of fit and finish. The look is upscale. The small infotainment display will be upgraded to something larger in the 2017 model – and the user interface will be friendlier, more intuitive. The cabin has eight beverage holders, storage in all four doors, four bins in the dash, pockets in the seatbacks and bins under the rear load floor around the spare tire. The cargo area behind the split-folding rear seat has 532 litres (18.8 cubic feet) of space with the seats up, 1,371 litres (48.4 cubic feet) seats down. The front passenger seat also folds flat. Go ahead, load a ladder.
THE BRAND: Buick is a brand on the rise. Unlike many Baby Boomers, many buyers today are too young to associate Buick with old people. Buick has enjoyed three consecutive years of global sales growth and is considered a serious premium brand in the important China market. Quality is excellent.
WHO BUYS? More than 57 percent of Encore customers in 2016 came from competitive brands. The Encore represents 40 per cent of Buick sales.
Price: $37,065 (as tested, including $1,700 destination charge).
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder (138 hp/148 lb-ft of torque). A 153 hp/177 lb-ft of torque version of the 1.4-litre is available.
Transmission: six-speed automatic.
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 9.5 city/7.2 highway using regular fuel.
Comparables: Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, Fiat 500 500X, Mini Cooper Countryman.
