Alex on Autos: 2016 Buick Encore

[bill25]

But it seems to be pretty good overall.

Is a car person really going to like this, or would they be happier in the car version of this?

[kevm14]

Good question. I don't know. But, when I watched the review, he had the front passenger seat set for a 6 foot 5 inch person and he was able to sit behind that person (at 6 or 6-2, I forget). It is practical in that sense. The closest car I can think of to this is the Verano. The Verano is a compact, not a subcompact.

[Bob]

I think this highlights a trend that I find somewhat troubling. It seems like automakers are devoting a very large portion of their engineering resources to crossovers which sometimes makes them into better products than the comparable cars. I guess I can't blame them for spending on what sells, but I feel like cars have suffered as a result of more resources being poured into crossovers.

[kevm14]

I would agree with that. Although in the case of this particular vehicle, it may have enjoyed more resources because it is a multi-market vehicle (Opel/Vauxhall Mokka). Also, the Sport Touring in 2016 has the new DI 1.4. The older 1.4 is the same as the Cruze (138hp) and probably is pretty anemic to drive. 2017 gets the current infotainment (not sure about engines) so that would be the one to try out I suppose.

Side note: that Alex on Autos guy does a really thorough job both in evaluating the vehicle and perhaps also in delivering the most comprehensive market analysis at the same time.

[kevm14]

The power to fuel economy ratio doesn't seem to be this vehicle's strong suit. As usual, if you are trying to go fast and get good fuel economy at the same time, N/A is the only way to do it.

[kevm14]

Plus, this is probably worth discussing:

One of the biggest shocks to me was the huge success of this mini-crossover, but when you look at its market, you can see why.
While this was originally supposed to bring young people to Buick, I see pretty much only 60+ people buying it. It is high up, so it is easy for them to get in and out and pretty big up front. It is tomb quiet, and the relaxed nature of the 1.4T will work perfectly. It also offers a nice interior for the price range, and that will improve for 2017. Buick is also very reliable. No it is not fast, but this market could care less. Quiet and comfortable for the empty nester is the target that it hits quite well.

Unlike decades past, meeting the needs of people aged 60+ with empty nests (hint: they are Baby Boomers) is not a bad thing at all.

[kevm14]

Then there's this:

In Consumer Reports' latest reliability stats the Encore scored 3 "much better than average" ratings: For the target consumer it's a big incentive.

In conclusion, whatever market this vehicle has found, it seems to have met the needs. We are not the market.

[bill25]

This doesn't surprise me at all.

pretty big up front. It is tomb quiet, and the relaxed nature of the 1.4T will work perfectly. It also offers a nice interior for the price range, and that will improve for 2017. Buick is also very reliable. No it is not fast, but this market could care less. Quiet and comfortable for the empty nester is the target that it hits quite well.

This described Cadillac back in the 70's, 80's, and even 90's, aside from the 1.4T, but those Caddy V8s back then probably had the same power to weight ratio or worse. Probably worse LOL. I am not surprised at all that the older people like a comfortable, quiet car that fits adults in the back seat. My great aunt didn't have the easiest time getting in and out of the RAV4, but maybe this is lower. So Buick is going after the Chinese market, and Cadillac's old (haha) market. That is fine.

This also makes sense for the older market, because they aren't buying this with the intent to actually try to put stuff in it.

[bill25]

In conclusion, whatever market this vehicle has found, it seems to have met the needs. We are not the market.

Yup, and definitely not...