New Cars Reviews

Whats New For 2014

New Cars Reviews - The 2014 buick encore picks up an optional blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alerts.

Introduction

Crossover suvs are available in all sizes and capability levels, however up to now merely a few automakers build truly small utility vehicles aimed at customers who drive in crowded cities. The buick encore is arguably one of them crossovers. At no more than 168 inches long, its 10 inches shorter when compared to the compact honda cr-v. The buicks petite dimensions pay dividends when its time out to squeeze into undersized parking spaces, however dont assume the fact that less-is-more philosophy extends out to the encores equipment list. Even base versions in this small crossover include buicks intellilink touchscreen interface as well as a rearview camera, therefore the cabin ambience is decidedly upscale considering its sub-$30, 000 base value.

Additionally, the encores interior offers flexibility, while you will fold each the front passenger seat ( a regular feature ) and therefore the rear seats flat. Therefore done, theres space out to stack lumber or something up out to 8 feet long within the encore and still shut its liftgate. Meanwhile, theres only enough legroom out to accommodate 6-footers within the whole backseat, however while you may expect, hiproom and shoulder space arent notably generous.

The primary drawback out to the 2014 buick encore, though, is its sluggish acceleration. It takes shut out to 10 seconds out to get out to 60 mph. Not no more than is this fact slower than most similarly sized competitors during this value vary, together with the fiat 500l, mini cooper s countryman and nissan juke, its one thing youll notice when you hit the gas pedal out to merge on a highway. Till buick sees fit out to upgrade the encores engine, this could possibly be a limiting issue for several buyers. Upon the upside, the encore returns on top of average fuel economy ready for its category, and its exceptionally quiet once youre up out to speed.

If youre attempting to find a handsome, fuel-efficient crossover out to drive within the whole city, the 2014 buick encore may well be worth considering. If your plans embody frequent road trips, but, wed encourage you out to test-drive at the very least a few of its competitors, in addition as larger crossovers just like the cr-v, ford escape and toyota rav4, that provide considerably a lot of area and, practically in most cases, higher performance for similar cash.

Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options

The 2014 buick encore is offered in four trim levels : base, convenience, leather and premium.

The bottom encore comes commonplace with 18-inch painted alloy wheels, heated facet mirrors, air-conditioning, cruise management, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories, a six-way power driver seat ( manual recline ), bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera, split-folding rear seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat, onstar telematics as well as a six-speaker sound system utilizing a cd player, satellite radio, a usb/ipod interface and an auxiliary audio jack. Conjointly included is buicks intellilink management interface, that features a 7-inch touchscreen and integrated smartphone apps.

Stepping up out to the convenience adds foglights, a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alerts, remote ignition, dual-zone automatic climate management, a 120-volt power outlet and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

As youd expect, the leather trim level adds leather upholstery for your own front seats, a driver seat with power-adjustable lumbar support, a six-way power passenger seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and driver memory settings.

The premium adds rain-sensing wipers, an upgraded bose seven-speaker sound system, front and rear parking sensors, a forward collision warning system, a lane departure warning system, as well as a rear cargo net and mat.

The cargo net/mat is optional on several the lower trims, whereas the bose audio is additionally offered upon the convenience and leather trim levels. Alternative choices, betting on trim level, embody chrome wheels, a power sunroof, a navigation system and roof rack cross rails.

Powertrains And Performance

All 2014 buick encore models are powered by a turbocharged 1. 4-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic utilizing a manual-shift feature is the ultimate transmission offered, however all versions as to the encore offer you the options of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Front-wheel-drive encores receive epa fuel economy estimates of 25 mpg city/33 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined, whereas those with all-wheel drive rate 23/30/26. In edmunds performance testing, a front-wheel-drive encore accelerated out to 60 mph in 9. 8 seconds, and that is slower than most alternative crossovers during this value vary.

Safety

Commonplace safety features for your own 2014 buick encore embody front-seat knee airbags, front and rear facet airbags, facet curtain airbags, a rearview camera, antilock disc brakes and traction and stability management. Conjointly included is onstar, that includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and stolen vehicle assistance.

A blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alerts is offered direct from convenience trim level on up, whereas forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems are commonplace upon the encore premium.

In government crash tests, the all-wheel-drive encore received 5 stars for overall crash protection, whereas the front-drive encore received four stars. Each versions received 5 stars within the whole frontal-impact and side-impact protection categories. The insurance institute for highway safety gave the encore the best potential rating of fine in its moderate-overlap front-offset and side-impact crash tests, in addition as its roof strength take a look at. But, the buick received the agencys lowest rating of poor within the whole new small-overlap frontal-offset crash take a look at ( most small crossover suvs earned a poor or marginal rating during this take a look at ).

Interior Style And Special Features

Fit and end across the encores cabin is usually pretty sensible, and well-placed soft-touch materials and splashes of simulated wood and metallic accents offer an upscale look. Buicks customary intellilink system and its 7-inch management touchscreen dominate the middle stack. There will be lots of buttons here, however i such as the added redundancy they will offer, and overall, the encores intellilink is fast, reliable and simple to actually use as infotainment and smartphone app Integration Systems Go.

Too soon theres lots of space all around, and of course the wide seats prove comfortable. Those seats are conjointly pleasantly high, providing a commanding view around and higher than traffic also as easing entry and exit. In back, theres ample legroom even for 6-footers, though theres less rear shoulder space and hiproom than for most alternative compact crossovers. Rear-facing car seats will certainly be a tight fit back here.

When it comes to actually carrying cargo, the encore is prepared. The rear seats and of course the front passenger seat fold flat, allowing transport of longer items up to actually 8 feet in length. With all seats set up, there will be 18. 8 cubic feet of house. Folding the rear seats down expands that to actually 48. 4 cubes. This is often a lot of capability compared to the mini countryman offers ( 42. 2 cubic feet ), other then noticeably lower than youll get due to next-size-up compact crossovers such as the honda cr-v, that offers a comparatively cavernous 71 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

In distinction to actually their boatlike forebears, todays buicks drive with the use of a style of relaxed, composed comfort, and of course the encore is no exception. In spite of this, due to actually this small crossovers short wheelbase, the ride tends to actually get bouncy over bumpy pavement, which can certainly be an annoyance on long trips. The cabin stays quiet at high speeds, though, thanks to the variety of quiet-tuning tricks, together with an active sound-cancellation system by bose.

Handling isn't sporty, other then the encore is nonetheless enjoyable to actually drive around city, because it goes how you purpose it and fits into small parking spaces. The steering is reasonably precise, but a tidy turning circle makes for straightforward u-turns.

The 2014 buick encores dynamic liability is its 138-hp 1. 4-liter engine. This barely isnt enough engine obtain a crossover suv, and though the encore feels adequately powerful in city driving, it feels strained when merging on your highway or creating any style of passing maneuver. Not serving to matters will be the six-speed automatic, and that is quick to actually upshift into its higher gears. This helps optimize fuel economy, other then it conjointly blunts the encores responsiveness.