New York Auto Show: 2017 Buick Encore: Comments

[William Maley]

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Before the start of the New York Auto Show, Buick has revealed the 2017 Encore. Not surprising, it looks exactly like the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka that debuted at Geneva earlier this month. There is a new grille with a chrome bar running across the middle and headlights (higher trim models get LED headlights). Around back are a set of LED taillights.

 

The interior becomes less cluttered with a new center stack design. An eight-inch touchscreen comes with the latest version of Buick IntelliLink with Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility.

 

The two 1.4L turbo-four engines - 138 horsepower and 153 horsepower - will carry over. There will be a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

 

Buick says the 2017 Encore will go on sale later this year.

 

Source: Buick

 

 

Press Release is on Page 2

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2017 Buick Encore Gets Latest Tech, Sculpted Design

• New LED headlights, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto for Buick’s best-seller
  

NEW YORK – Buick today introduced the new 2017 Encore, strengthening the appeal of America’s most popular small SUV with more refined styling and new connectivity technology – including available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

 

A new front-end appearance and a new premium interior highlight the visual refinements, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported by a next-generation IntelliLink system featuring an 8-inch-diagonal color touch screen.

 

Push-button start, keyless unlock via the exterior door handles and an 8-inch color touchscreen highlight the Encore’s roster of new standard features.

 

“The Buick Encore created the premium small SUV segment and remains the top choice for customers seeking premium features and dependability coupled with timeless design,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “In a rapidly evolving segment, the Encore continues to lead with smart, purposeful updates and a new level of technology-infused elegance and refinement.

 

Introduced in 2013, the Encore quickly carved out a niche of its own, offering the premium features typically associated with larger luxury SUVs but with greater maneuverability. It quickly rose to the top of the fast-growing small SUV market, topping it in 2014 and 2015.

 

Encore was Buick’s best-selling vehicle in North America in 2015, accounting for nearly a third of overall sales. Its sales were up 34 percent for the first two months of 2016, extending a year-over-year sales increase streak to 26 months.

 

Overall, SUVs now account for approximately 60 percent of all Buick sales, up from 34 percent prior to the introduction of the Enclave in 2007. Starting this summer with the arrival of the Envision – which slots directly between the Encore and Enclave – Buick will offer SUVs in the market’s three most popular segments.

 

The 2017 Encore goes on sale this fall, initially offered in five trim levels: Encore (1SB), Encore Sport Touring (1SH), Encore Convenience (1SD), Encore Leather (1SL) and Encore Premium (1SN). Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available.

 

It is the fourth all-new or significantly updated Buick coming in 2016, joining the Cascada convertible, Envision compact SUV and LaCrosse sedan.

 

Sculptural Beauty

 

The new design features the sculptural surfacing and elegant line work that continues to distinguish the Buick brand. The addition of the winged grille with Buick’s new tri-color insignia, new front headlamps and rear LED signature tail lamps contemporize the Encore and set up the visual flow around the entire vehicle. Uplevel models receive Buick’s full LED headlamps, which provide efficient, clear lighting of the road ahead.

 

“Sporting cues first shown on the award-winning Avenir and Avista concepts, the 2017 Encore embraces Buick’s modern design aesthetic,” said Holt Ware, design director, Buick Exteriors. “The Encore is a crossover known for its presence – the appearance is sleek, muscular and modern.”

 

Also new are a chrome exhaust outlet, body-color heated outside mirrors, a new 18-inch wheel design and three exterior colors: Black Cherry Metallic, Ebony Twilight Metallic and White Frost Metallic.

 

Premium interior

 

Building on Buick’s reputation for premium and quiet passenger environments, the 2017 Encore elevates with a new interior design and a greater emphasis on material selection, placement and subtle details like bright accents and contrast stitching.

 

An updated instrument panel flows across the interior and incorporates a new gauge cluster with a 4.2-inch-diagonal color driver information center. Also, a new center stack blends with the instrument panel to offer more intuitive access for the user interface and its new, frameless 8-inch color touch screen.

 

IntelliLink is designed to support the latest interface technologies, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Buick’s connectivity also includes OnStar 4G LTE with a Wi-Fi hotspot, which is now standard across the brand’s U.S. model line. With the 4G LTE connection, Encore allows passengers to connect up to seven devices to high-speed wireless Internet.

 

“As a representation of modern Buick styling, the Encore’s cabin is sophisticated in look and feel, and precise in its execution,” said Liz Wetzel, design director, Buick Interiors. “The instrument panel and center stack forms are artfully sculpted, while offering an effortless interface with the infotainment technologies.”

 

Core features

 

All 2017 Encore models offer room for five and up to 48.4 cubic feet (1,371 liters) of storage space with the 60/40 split rear seat folded. Standard features include 10 air bags, StabiliTrak stability enhancement and a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder/six-speed automatic powertrain.

 

A unique 1.4L turbo with direct injection, more power, more torque and stop/start technology is available on most trims.

 

EPA estimates will be announced at a later date.

 

Buick’s exclusive QuietTuning is standard on all models and includes Bose® Active Noise Cancellation technology. Encore also offers available active safety features including Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

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[Drew Dowdell]

glad that the more powerful 1.4T will now be available on most trims (probably everything ST and up, but not on base)

 

Even though we probably won't be returning to the Encore when it's time.

[Paolino]

Huge improvement to the interior IMO.  Like the tweaks to the lights... although it gives me an Audi/VW feel.

[Paolino]

Would be fun to see the Cascada engine as an option.

[G. David Felt]

I love the new interior over the old one. This is a solid update that will be noticed and the customers will love.

 

Even though we probably won't be returning to the Encore when it's time.

 

Drew, are you guys trading in the Encore?

[Drew Dowdell]

Would be fun to see the Cascada engine as an option.

 

Yeah, I've begged them for that every time I see them.

[Paolino]

Wonder why they didn't put the updated steering wheel in.

[Drew Dowdell]

I love the new interior over the old one. This is a solid update that will be noticed and the customers will love.

 

Even though we probably won't be returning to the Encore when it's time.

 

Drew, are you guys trading in the Encore?

 

Not any time soon... just already decided we need to move back up in size next time around.   I'm going to eventually sell the Honda and replace it with a truck of some sort

[G. David Felt]

 

I love the new interior over the old one. This is a solid update that will be noticed and the customers will love.

 

Even though we probably won't be returning to the Encore when it's time.

 

Drew, are you guys trading in the Encore?

 

Not any time soon... just already decided we need to move back up in size next time around.   I'm going to eventually sell the Honda and replace it with a truck of some sort

 

 

I could so see you in this lovely Beauty:

 

2013 Emerald Green EXT with only 11,292 miles, 1 owner clean paperwork.

 

 

http://www.dougscadillac.com/VehicleDetails/certified-2013-Cadillac-Escalade_EXT-Premium_AWD-Shoreline-WA/2714644863

 

Then put your spouse in a new Buick Envision.

The EXT is at my local Caddy dealer and was a senior owned auto, never smoked. truly like new. Sucker is sweet.

[Suaviloquent]

I like the available LED headlights. Reminds me of the Avista.

[regfootball]

I really like the Encore, and really like the interior redux here.

 

Saw the Envision at the AS this past weekend and it looks nice a good step up in size from the Encore.

[smk4565]

I love the new interior over the old one. This is a solid update that will be noticed and the customers will love.

 

Even though we probably won't be returning to the Encore when it's time.

 

Drew, are you guys trading in the Encore?

 

Not any time soon... just already decided we need to move back up in size next time around.   I'm going to eventually sell the Honda and replace it with a truck of some sort

You should get a Pontiac Aztek, you could even cut the roof off the back to make it a pick up. That would be sweet and if it gets trashed hauling supplies, well who cares, it is an Aztek.

On the Encore I like the new interior, it sort of reminds me of the newer Hyundai interiors as far as the shapes and design go. Bit I think it is cleaner, less busy design and more horizontal which makes it seem larger.

[G. David Felt]

 

 

I love the new interior over the old one. This is a solid update that will be noticed and the customers will love.

 

Even though we probably won't be returning to the Encore when it's time.

 

Drew, are you guys trading in the Encore?

 

Not any time soon... just already decided we need to move back up in size next time around.   I'm going to eventually sell the Honda and replace it with a truck of some sort

You should get a Pontiac Aztek, you could even cut the roof off the back to make it a pick up. That would be sweet and if it gets trashed hauling supplies, well who cares, it is an Aztek.

On the Encore I like the new interior, it sort of reminds me of the newer Hyundai interiors as far as the shapes and design go. Bit I think it is cleaner, less busy design and more horizontal which makes it seem larger.

 

SMK why waste time with a rebadge of a Nissan truck, MB can just do this like all the rest and just hack an existing car.

 

[Frisky Dingo]

Tremendous improvement.