Review: 2013 Buick Encore

With youthful looks and a price of $24,200, General Motors is hoping the 2013 Buick Encore will be a hit with both early professionals (22 to 30-year olds) and almost empty nesters (+50-year olds). What does a car that targets both of these audiences possess? Read on to find out more.

The 2013 Buick Encore is a globally designed (it’s called an Opel Mokka in Europe), 5-passenger subcompact crossover, which offers up some nice standards to those just entering the professional workforce, and those pondering leaving it. Among those standards, the crossover offers one power plant — a 138-HP, 1.4-liter ECOTEC engine (yes, it’s turbocharged) — mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. If you’re craving a different engine or transmission, you’ll have to move to Europe in order to get the Opel Mokka version, which offers manual shifting and an oil burner (diesel) under the hood.

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The EPA estimated 25-MPG city, 33-MPG highway rating levels out at a respectable 28-MPG combined fuel mileage rating. Those numbers aren’t as high as some of the competition (see Mazda CX-5), but they are pretty darn good.

In addition to its modern looks, the standard offering list continues with several niceties. Among them are a Bose “Quiet Tuning” noise cancellation system which cuts down on exterior noise inside the cabin, a rear view camera, power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated mirrors.

If those above items — which are often an extra cost option — weren’t enough, Buick tries to make the sticker price a big value by adding more standard features. Buick Intellilink with a 7-inch color Airplay radio sweetens the deal, along with Bluetooth phone and audio capabilities, which aren’t one-upped by standard voice recognition and 18-inch painted wheels.

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Safety-wise, the vehicle sports an even 10 airbags and decent braking (something I discovered at a four-way intersection) in addition to the normal list of crumple zones and the use of high strength steel in all of the right places. For a couple bucks more, you can add in Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Front/Rear Park Assist.

So, what is it like to live with the 2013 Buick Encore? Well, it’s much like the other vehicles in its segment in that you won’t get there faster than anyone else. However, you might get there with a little more stuff. The younger, apartment-dwelling crowd will like the 60/40 seats — good for schlepping furniture into that new apartment — while the almost empty nesters will appreciate how the front passenger seat folds forward, permitting a newly purchased 8-foot ladder to be brought home for that DIY homeowner project.

With an upright seating position, I found the vehicle very easy to get familiar with. The navigation screen was also easy to familiarize myself with, and I really appreciated how Buick placed it at the top of the dash, rather than the bottom, making glances easier and confidence inspiring. Another plus for the crossover — and often overlooked at this price point — is the inclusion of auto-down windows. I love this feature for when it’s a hot day and you just want to air out the car quickly. Unfortunately, only the driver’s window has auto-up capability.

In all, I think the 2013 Buick Encore is a nice addition to the already competitive subcompact crossover market. If I have any complaints, it’s that GM needs to improve their interiors. For a brand that is supposed to appeal to the “premium-minded” buyer, the Encore — sadly — suffers from this company-wide interior affliction when compared to its Asian rivals.

On the TFLcar.com recommendation scale of:

– Buy it

– Lease it

– Rent it

– Forget it

I say, BUY IT!

Check out another small crossover review below:

Ryan’s passion for automobiles began at age eight when his father brought home the quintessential sports car: A Guards Red, 1974 Porsche 911 Targa. Ever since, his free time has been consumed with following the latest developments of the automotive industry.