Vehicle Reviews Archives

VW Says Auf Wiedersehen To the Golf in U.S.

by Mark | Jan 20, 2021 | 0 comments

Production in Puebla, Mexico, transitioning to new products, including the Taos small SUV

Nearly 2.5 million VW Golf family models have been sold in the U.S. market. (Photos courtesy of Volkswagen USA)

Volkswagen of America announced today that its subcompact Golf hatchback ended production last week for the U.S. market. The VW Golf family name will carry on in model-year 2022 with the introduction of the all-new Mk 8 Golf GTI and Golf R, arriving this fall.

Volkswagen expects that the model year 2021 Golf models built at the Puebla, Mexico plant will sustain sales through year-end.

The Golf debuted in December 1974 as the “Rabbit” in the U.S. For more than four decades, the Golf exemplified what Volkswagen does best — melding dynamic driving characteristics with purposeful packaging and unmatched quality, said Hein Schafer, senior vice president, product marketing and strategy for Volkswagen of America, Inc.

“While the seventh-generation Golf will be the last of the base hatches sold here,” he said, “the GTI and Golf R will carry its legacy forward.”

The 2021 VW Golf is sold in only one TSI trim level. Pricing starts at $24,190.

U.S. Golf Family

In the U.S., nearly 2.5 million Golf family models have been sold since 1974. The current-generation Mk 7 Golf was named North American Car of the Year when it debuted for the 2015 model year.

The new eighth-generation 2022 Golf R and Golf GTI will be built in Germany as the Puebla plant transitions to new products, including the Taos subcompact crossover, according to VW.

2022 Volkswagen Taos.

For 2021, the Golf is available in one well-equipped trim —TSI. It features a 147 horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder engine with a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 29 mpg city, 39 highway and 33 mpg combine or 29/36/32 mpg with the automatic.

Golf TSI pricing starts at $24,190; add $800 for the Tiptronic. Pricing includes the $995 freight charge from Puebla, Mexico.

Standard features include 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 205/55 all-season tires, smart-key locking and push-button ignition, panoramic tilt-and-slide sunroof, leatherette upholstery, and heated front seats. Driver assistance features include Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist), Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert.

Seven Generations of Golf in the U.S.

Golf I: 1975-1984

First sold in December 1974 as the “Rabbit” with a 70-hp, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine;
GTI was introduced in 1983 with a 90-hp, 1.8-liter engine.

Golf II: 1985-1992

Nameplate shift to “Golf.” Dimensions grew by nearly 7 inches in length, 3 inches in wheelbase and 2 inches in width;
Standard engine is revised 85-hp,1.8-liter;
GTI introduces 131-hp, 2.0-liter engine;
Catalytic converter, anti-lock braking and power steering debut.

Golf III: 1993-1999

Exterior design shifts to wedge shape;
Base powertrain increased to 115-hp, 2.0-liter; GTI available with 172-hp, 2.8-liter VR6;
Front and side airbags debut; advances in body construction result in improved crash safety;
VR6 engine and cruise control offered for the first time.

Golf IV: 1999.5-2005

All-new design with flatter windshield; roofline carried farther back with steeper rear window;
Electronic stability control and side curtain airbags debut;
1.8T engine introduced for GTI, bringing turbocharging to this generation of GTI;
R32 introduced for 2004 with 240 hp, six-speed manual, and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Golf V: 2006-2009

New multi-link rear suspension; rain-sensing wipers introduced; sold as “Rabbit” again;
DSG dual-clutch automatic transmissions debuts as an option for GTI and the standard transmission for R32; Bi-Xenon headlights introduced on both models;
Base engine is 150-hp, 2.5-liter; GTI moves to 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine;
R32 reintroduced for 2008 with 250 hp.

Golf VI: 2010-2014

“Golf” name returns;
Refreshed styling with prominent character line from headlights to taillights;
Base powertrain is 170-hp, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine;
Golf R was introduced for 2012, with the VR6 engine replaced by a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine pushing 256 hp.

Golf VII: 2015-2021

Now based on Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture;
Golf grows in size yet drops in weight, despite many new and upscale features;
Facelift in MY 2018 features included revised headlight and taillight designs, redesigned bumpers, and infotainment and driver assistance updates;
Base 170-hp, 1.8-liter TSI engine replaces 2.5-liter to gain an EPA-estimated 6 mpg highway, later replaced by the 1.4-liter TSI engine in 2019;
GTI and Golf R powered by new versions of the 2.0-liter TSI engine, with up to 228 hp for GTI and up to 288 hp for Golf R (using premium fuel);
Available driver-assistance technology includes Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Park Distance Control.

Car Reviews

2021 Kia K5 Review

by Mark | Jan 15, 2021 | 0 comments

The “all-new” 2021 Kia K5 sedan represents one of the biggest leaps forward between generations in recent automotive history, the carmaker says.

The 2021 Kia K5 is the brand’s third generation midsize sedan, formerly known as Optima. (Photos courtesy of Kia America)

Wholistic coup d’sedan

BY MARK MAYNARD

If there is a spark of ownership urgency remaining in the mainstream midsize sedan segment, Kia hopes its renamed and re-invented K5 will get drivers fired up.

The “all-new” Kia K5 sedan represents one of the biggest leaps forward between generations in recent automotive history, Kia says. Worthy of renaming, the Korean automaker says the K5 emphasizes revolutionary design on a new safety and performance enhanced “N3” platform, turbocharged engines, optional all-wheel drive and high-impact technologies. The new platform will also be the foundation for future Kia models

Its predecessor, the Optima, debuted in 2011 and, as today, it is a corporate partner to the Hyundai Sonata. The K5 designation is simply a global name, Kia says. The K5 and K900 are the first U.S. models to use the integrated global market names. Whether the other models will be eventually renamed, “is being looked at holistically from both a market and a global level and is determined by model,” a spokesman said.

The driver area of the 2021 Kia K5 EX model

K5 EX features include leatherette upholstery and 10-way power driver’s seat.

Good Times

These are good times to buy a sedan. The big three top-sellers in the current lineup of choices — Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima — have distinct identities, which might be key to connecting with drivers. And the remaining choices, of which there are several, are at the peak of their games, too.

As many drivers have migrated to an SUV as their preferred body style, manufacturers — those that still have a sedan lineup — are hoping that their revolutionary improvements will reinvent the midsize sedan into something other than what it is.

Kia cut to the chase with a regrouped business plan for the K5, calling “Give It Everything.” And it is packaged at a reasonable price.

The lower roofline allows reasonably tall headroom with the large sunroof.

Kia K5 By the Numbers

Dimensionally, the Kia K5 sedan sits lower, longer, and wider than its predecessor. At 193.1 inches long it is 2 inches longer and an inch wider but 0.8-inch lower at the roofline. The wheelbase was stretched 1.8 inches, now at 112.2 inches.

Kia K5 Pricing

There are five trim levels of Kia K5 — LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX — and the performance-tuned GT. The standard trims use a 180-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The GT is spiked with a 290-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (with 311 foot-pounds of torque from 1,650-4,500 rpm). Its eight-speed automatic is a “wet” dual-clutch automated manual transmission. (The wet dual-clutch, rather than dry, uses an electric oil pump for lubrication and to provide more cooling for higher torque outputs and smoother shifts.

Pricing for front-wheel-drive models with the 1.6T powertrain ranges from $24,555 for the entry LX to $29,055 for the EX 1.6T, The AWD GT-Line 1.6T starts at $30,155. The front-drive GT 2.5T GDI with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic starts at $31,555. Pricing includes the $965 freight charge from West Point, Ga.

K5 in Front- or All-Wheel-Drive

All-wheel drive is available only on the K5 LXS or GT-Line trims. The front-drive system uses electro-hydraulics for a quicker coupling response, Kia says. The 1.6 LXS option is $2,100 and includes heated seats; the GT-Line is $3,700 and is part of the Premium package, which includes Special Edition Wolf Gray paint with red SynTex upholstery, 10.25-inch Touch-screen, navigation with smart cruise control and Highway Driving Assist.

At the time of posting this story, there were several Kia K5 sedan pricing discounts for cash, leasing or zero-percent financing for 60 months, with a $750 cash-back offer. See them here.

And there is Kia’s desirable new-vehicle warranties of 5-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance and 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain.

A view of the panoramic sunroof in the Kia K5 sedan.

Part of the K5 EX package, the panoramic sunroof has a power sunshade.

Standard Kia K5 Features

K5 base models are competitively equipped with such standard features as remote locking, 8-inch infotainment touch screen, fabric upholstery, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with Bluetooth phone and music, six-speaker audio system, steering-wheel controls for audio and cruise control, two USB ports (one for charging), power side mirrors and windows, lighted visor vanity mirrors, six-way manually adjusted front seats, electric parking brake with auto-hold and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Standard K5 safety features and technologies are loaded, including nine air bags, forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning with lead-vehicle-departure warning, lane-keep assist and lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and high-beam (dimming) assist.

The center shift console in the K5 has useful storage and wireless charging

The K5 EX has almost as many USB ports as cup holders.

The EX upgrade

The K5 EX tester, $32,355, added such features as leatherette seat trim and leather-wrapped steering wheel, 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar, heated and ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, wireless phone charging, 18-inch alloy wheels, and parking-distance warning reverse.

The EX Premium package, $3,400, added desirable technology pieces, including navigation with a 10.25-inch touch screen and MapCare, Bose audio upgrade, a power front passenger seat with power lumbar, and heated steering wheel.

K5 Safety Features

Safety features include forward collision avoidance alert cyclist, forward collision avoidance-assist junction turning, smart cruise control with stop-and-go, highway driving assist, safe-exit assist with power child lock, and parking collision avoidance rear.

Highway Driving Assist (HDA) controls steering and acceleration-deceleration to keep a safe distance from the vehicle directly ahead. Using navigation input, the system can determine whether the vehicle is on a state highway or Interstate. Using the front view camera and front radar, HDA monitors the lane position and speed of the vehicle directly ahead.

A view of the infotainment touch screen and other cabin climate and audio controls

Driver controls are placed for easy access.

The integrated technologies create a semi-autonomous driving mode, but with hands remaining on the wheel. The guidance system is at its best on multi-lane expressways, but the guidance system can still allow the car to drift wide and across lane markings before correcting course, while giving the driver a warning tone.

As a safety suite, the assist systems elevate the EX trim level to a safe and efficient long-distance commuter.

Kia K5 Fuel Economy

Fuel economy and what Kia calls real-world torque have improved with the new 1.6-liter engine, which replaced a 2.4-liter.

Only the base LX model, which Kia considers its fuel efficiency trim, is equipped with automatic stop-start at idle. The LX has fuel-economy ratings of 29 mpg city, 38 highway, and 32 mpg combined, on 87 octane. Compare that to 25/35/29 for the 2.4-liter. But at 14.8 gallons, the K5 LX has a gallon smaller fuel tank than the other trims; The Optima’s tank was 18.5 gallons.

The other 1.6T models have mileage ratings of 27/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined. AWD has ratings of 26/34/29 mpg. And the GT has ratings of 24/32/27 mpg. The 15.8-gallon tank in the EX could provide more than 500 miles of range.

Driving in the transmission’s “smart” mode, I worked up to 37.4 mpg with much highway driving, which settled to an accumulated average mpg of 26.4 mpg, over 610 miles. Smart mode mimics the driver’s acceleration style to provide consistent power.

The body styling has a low, wind-cheating 0.27 coefficient of drag, which compares to 0.26 for the Altima and 0.28 for the Camry.

The Kia K5 turbocharged four-cylinder engine

The base K5 engine is a 180-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder.

K5 Ride and Handling

Kia probably erred on the side of sportiness for the K5. It has a pedigree of the Stinger sport sedan built into the presence of the K5, which can be seen first in the exterior styling and then the driving attitude.

The rigidity of Kia’s new N3 platform is a great enabler in controlled cornering and evasive maneuvers, yet ride quality is forgiving. Kia cites a 60/40 front to rear weight distribution for the 1.6T trims and 61/39 on GT.

Drivers can choose from four drive modes (or five with AWD) for Smart, Normal, Sport, and Custom, which allows a deeper dive to set distinct preferences for suspension, throttle, and steering.

I found Sport mode to be overly enthusiastic in town, but it is an asset out on the twisty roads as calibrations hold shifts when neatly clipping an apex. The car turns and rotates flatly, which also keeps the driver in a command position. And Custom

K5 Power

The eight-speed automatic in the K5 rolls easily through gear changes. And what, no paddle shifters? No problem! Acceleration is not greatly impacted by turbo spooling, which is helped by the trim curb weight of 3,228 pounds, among the lightest in the segment.

Standard K5 models have four-wheel disc brakes 12-inch vented rotors front, 11.2-inch solid rotors rear. The GT is upgraded with 13.6- rotors front and 12.8-inches rear.

The turning circle is another asset, at 36 feet or a little wider with 18- or 19-inch wheels — but still a tidy arc for U-turns in most neighborhood streets.

K5 Interior Function

Inside the Kia K5, the interior design achieves a futuristic and high-tech appearance. There is great attention to detail in the trim elements. And improved sound-deadening materials create a quieter and more premium cabin, Kia says.

The standard 8-inch infotainment supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but opting for the 10.25-inch display does not allow those apps.

Settling into the front seats is quite supportive and comfortable for the long haul, but the seat-bottom squabs (bolsters) give a little goose on exit. (A female friend who bought a new Kia Sportage spent $300 to have those bolsters trimmed back to prevent the wedgie, and the results look “factory.”

A look at the premium trim elements in the Kia K5

Interior materials have a premium-quality appearance.

Some new sedans are built so low to the ground (for aerodynamics to improve fuel economy) that it compromises comfortable entry and with a heave-ho on exit. But the K5 maintains a reasonable entry height.

The doors open to almost right angles and for the driver, the designers built in a stylish ridge in piano black at the window controls. It is an ideal leverage point to comfortably close the door.

Front headroom, even with the lower roofline, is reasonably tall (38.4 inches) with the large sunroof. Cars without the sunroof gain 1.8 inches of hair space, at 40.2 inches. Legroom of 46.1 inches is accommodating for those in the big-and-tall club.

Ergonomic Controls

Interior design of the K5 cockpit places driver controls, switches, and digital displays in position for easy access. Small corner glass greatly opens sightlines at the front side mirrors and at the rear three-quarters. At first glance, it might appear the shallow arc of the back glass might be an issue, but it is not when the side mirrors are correctly positioned.

Glancing at the large rearview-camera screen is liberating in parking situations, and there is a reverse park-distance warning. Because of the long hood, a front camera would be an asset, too.

The cabin of the K5 EX has almost as many USB ports as cup holders, plus wireless charging with a broad slot for a variety of phones. And the leatherette upholstery in the EX looks and feels better than many grades of leather.

K5 Back Seat Comfort

There are comfortable dimensions in the K5 back seat and the doors open wide for colleagues or growing children. The seatback angle is relaxed and with 35.2 inches of legroom, the designer did not have to create a seat cushion with a knees-up angle to stretch leg space.

There is just a modest height intrusion from the exhaust-AWD tunnel, which eases footroom when sharing space with a center-seat occupant, which would be a child (or forgiving colleague). Amenities include the broad fold-down armrest with cup holders and two charging USBs.

The K5 back seat has comfortable dimensions for adults

The back seat has comfortable dimensions for colleagues or growing children.

K5 Trunk Capacity

The Kia K5 has a roomy,16-cubic-foot trunk that is a broad 44 inches wide and low. But the smallish loading aperture (17 inches) will limit the size of big-box items to haul home. The 60/40 folding seatback includes pulls to release the seats.

The Kia K5 trunk is wide and low with a large 16 cubic feet of space

Th K5’s 16 cubic feet of trunk space is wide and low.

Why Buy the Kia K5?

As midsize sedans have evolved, manufacturers have introduced more luxury-class features with a “premium” presentation to support the cars’ higher price points.

For Kia, the K5’s ground-up remake was as well planned and budgeted as a sedan can be in this age of anti-sedan.

The K5 has been designed for smart use of interior space. There are several small-storage areas and finger-reach controls to keep eyes on the road. The cabin has some of the best attention to detail in interior materials and switchgear. The driver area is straightforward and without unnecessary glitz or gimmicks, all of which will appeal to the contemporary driver.

But I can’t be alone in wishing the EX trim included the option for the 2.5-liter engine and the choice for AWD.

What would it take to get you into a midsize sedan today?

MarkMaynard@cox.net

A nighttime view of the rear end of the Kia K5

Built on a new N3 platform, the Kia K5 is stronger, longer, wider, and lower.

2021 Kia K5 EX Premium Specifications

Body style: midsize 5-passenger, front-drive sedan

Engine: 180-hp, direct-injection and turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder; 195 lb.-ft. torque 1,500-4,500 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 27/37/31 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane or higher

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 15.8 gallons

Trunk space: 16 cu. ft.

Front head/leg room: 38.4*/46.1 in. *40.2 w/o sunroof

Rear head/leg room: 37.4/35.2 inches

Length/wheelbase: 193.1/112.2 inches

Curb weight: 3,228 pounds

Turning circle: 36 feet

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: smart key locking and push-button ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, acoustic windshield, steering wheel controls for Bluetooth-audio-cruise, tilt-telescopic steering wheel, power windows with one-touch up-down driver’s window, rear-occupant alert, 8-inch touch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rearview camera with guidance lines, USB media and charging ports, multi-adjustable front seats, high-beam assist, LED headlights and amber running lights, power-heated side mirrors, automatic headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels and compact spare, electric parking brake with auto-hold

K5 EX Features: leatherette seat trim and leather-wrapped steering wheel, power driver’s seat with power lumbar, heated and ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, wireless phone charging, auto up-down to front passenger window, 18-inch machined alloy wheels, UVO Link, satellite radio with free 3-month subscription, rear USB charger ports and rear air vents, parking distance warning reverse

Safety features include: 9 air bags, electronic stability control, forward collision-avoidance assist-pedestrian, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, safe exit assist, lane-keep assist and lane-following assist, driver attention warning, leading vehicle departure alert

PRICING

Base price: $28,955 including $965 freight charge; price as tested $32,355

Options on test vehicle: EX Premium package, $3,400, includes navigation with 10.25-inch touch screen and MapCare, Bose premium audio system, power front passenger seat with power lumbar, heated steering wheel, forward collision-avoidance alert cyclist, forward collision-avoidance-assist junction turning, smart cruise control with stop-and-go, highway driving assist, safe-exit assist with power child lock, parking collision avoidance rear, LED rear combination lights, memory driver’s seat and side mirrors

Where assembled: West Point, Ga.

Warranty: 5-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance; 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain

Mark Maynard

Car Reviews

2020 Buick Encore GX

by Mark | Oct 28, 2020 | 0 comments

The Buick Encore GX is an inch wider and 3 inches longer than the original model, which fully elevates its real-world functionality

The Encore GX hits the sweet spot of Buick with more technologies, more power, and the soundproofing blanket of QuietTuning. (Buick)

BY MARK MAYNARD

“A Buick Encore? Who wants to drive a Buuu-ick?” asked the girlfriend-wife. “They don’t even make Buicks, anymore, do they?” — adding with a snarky wince that she would not need to be driving a Buuu-ick.

Suit yourself, thought I. I’ve tested many new Buicks in recent years, with her in the passenger seat, yet somewhere those had been forgotten. And all this before she’d even seen touched the chrome strip on the door handle of the Encore GX Essence test car.

“Oh, hmmm, is that it, the black one?” she asked of the little SUV in the driveway. “Is it a cheesy car?”

No, but let the car speak for itself, as I handed over the key fob for a run to the market.

The Encore GX still is a small vehicle but with full-size adult headroom. (Buick)

Subcompact not substandard

Subcompact SUVs are the new sweet spot of getting a lot more space and function, while still generating a hefty sticker price over a sedan.

It was not long ago that a subcompact car or SUV was substandard in its comfort, drivability, and quality. These types of econoboxes were the manufacturers’ shoehorn to slide buyers into a larger and more profitable model. But today, a subcompact SUV, such as the Encore GX, has been hand-hammered from the inside out to be roomier and more accommodating to a wider range of drivers. It is smoothed over with a liberal layer of Buick refinements, including QuietTuning and a full suite of advanced technologies.

The tall headroom and shoulder room of 55.4 inches contribute to the roominess of the cabin. (Buick)

Buick Encore Overview

Buick debuted the Encore nameplate in late 2012 as a 2013 model, the brand’s first subcompact model — car or SUV. The Encore is a GM global platform (and shared with the older and slightly smaller Chevrolet Trax) and is assembled at the GM Korea plant in Bupyeong, South Korea. The Chinese market Encore is assembled in Shanghai.

The updated and larger Encore GX, sort of a super-subcompact in size, joined the lineup as a 2020 model. It has more commonality with the new Chevrolet Trailblazer and, eventually, will replace its smaller sibling.

U.S. sales of Encore totaled almost 32,000 in 2013 and the pace leapfrogged consistently every year to 78,565 by 2016. It had a midcycle refresh in 2017 and sales continued to climb from 41,129 to 102,402 by 2019, the last year that sales numbers were available. (That’s according to Wikipedia; GM no longer posts monthly sales and now relies on quarterly tallies.)

Each month since June, the Encore GX has been Buick’s highest-selling nameplate, a spokeswoman said, “and we expect it to the end the year as the brand’s No. 1 selling vehicle, as well,” she said via email. “We expect the Encore GX/Encore split to be roughly 70/30.”

There are at least a dozen choices of subcompact crossovers with the Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota CH-R among them. But the luxury choices are fewer, namely the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus UX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40. Most of the competitors, some with standard all-wheel drive, have starting prices that range from $34,695 (Volvo XC40) to $37,095 for the Audi with AWD.

The Encore GX starts at about $10,000 less than those top-tier competitors, but it is also more of a “premium” choice than entry-luxury. It might not have the depth of sophisticated engineering or refinement of the European makes, but it is more than a glam job of an economy model. And it will cost a lot less to maintain over the years.

The 8-inch touch screen provides a good display for the surround-view camera. (Buick)

Encore GX Pricing

The Encore GX is sold in front- or all-wheel drive with a choice of two turbocharged and direct-injection three-cylinder engines — either a 137-horsepower 1.2-liter or 155-hp, 1.3-liter. Front-drive models use a continuously variable automatic transmission and AWD gets a nine-speed automatic.

2020 GX pricing starts at $25,095, including the $995 freight charge from Bupyeong, South Korea; AWD adds $2,000. A Sport Touring package, $1,100, is a cosmetic upgrade of body-color side and rocker moldings, unique grille with red accents, 18-inch dark high gloss wheels, and front and rear sport bumpers with red accents.

Buick says 2021 pricing increased by just $100 across all trim levels and the new model-year cars are now on sale.

The front-drive GX Essence tester had a 2020 starting price of $28,500 and came to $34,965 with six packages and options, including the bigger 1.3-liter engine, a modest $395 upgrade. Also worthwhile was the $495 Safety group that includes rear cross-traffic alert and side blind-zone alert.

At the time of posting this story, there were two pricing incentives:

The Encore GX FWD Preferred has an ultra low-mileage lease (for qualified lessees) of $265 per month for 39 months; $3,214 due at signing (after all offers) and no security deposit required. (Mileage charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles at participating dealers.

And there was a cash offer of $3,250.

All Buick incentives can be found here (depending on ZIP code).

A panoramic moonroof is part of the Buick Experience package. (Buick)

2021 Encore GX Updates

Additions and changes for 2021 include:

8-inch Buick Infotainment System with navigation was removed from the Experience Buick Package on the Select and Essence models.
The Bose seven-speaker system with amplifier and HD radio now requires adding the Safety Package. (It previously required the Experience Buick Package).
Satellite radio is now standard on all models with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Adaptive cruise control was added to the Preferred trim level.

Cargo space has flip-and-fold function. (Buick)

Interior Function

The Encore GX is an inch wider and 3 inches longer than the original model, which fully elevates its real-world functionality.

It still is a small vehicle, but with full-size adult headroom in the front of almost 38 inches and legroom of almost 41 inches. That space is more typical of a midsize sedan. The tall headroom and shoulder room of 55.4 inches contribute to the roominess of the cabin.

Back seat legroom of 36 inches and headroom of 38 inches will accommodate a 6-foot-tall passenger behind the driver. A flat floor helps foot space for three-across seating.

There are several areas for small-item storage and the tester was well equipped with accommodating features. Standard on the tester was wireless charging, four USB charging ports, heated seats and steering wheel, a big (8-inch) surround-view camera screen, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and an eight-way power front passenger seat.

Cargo space of 23.5 to 50.2 cubic feet has flip-and-fold convertibility. The front passenger seat, for example, folds flat forward and there is a two-level cargo floor. The tall load floor limits the height of cargo capacity, but there is about 8.5 feet of length with the back seat folded.

The GX is an inch wider and 3 inches longer than the original Encore. (Buick)

Buick Encore Safety Features

Small cars like this aren’t what I would recommend as a hypermiling commuter, but the tester’s new size and its depth of safety technologies would be an exception. The raised ride height helps it to be seen and provides the driver an open view of traffic.

Standard safety features are extensive and include 10 air bags and a range of technologies. The GX safety technologies include Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Following Distance Indicator.

Four-wheel disc brakes easily handle the curb weight of 3,094 pounds and a tow rating of up to 1,000 pounds. The front rotors are 11.8-inches with 10.4-inch rotors rear.

2020 GX pricing starts at $25,095; AWD adds $2,000. (Buick)

Buick Encore powertrains

There’s not much of a fuel-economy advantage for the 1.2-liter engine. Front-drive models are rated for 26 mpg city, 30 highway and 28 mpg combined, on the recommended 87 octane. Those numbers compare to 30/32/31 mpg for the 1.3-liter or 26/29/28 with AWD.

The “big” engine has more force than you might imagine from a 1.3-liter, though it sounds rattly at idle. Buick’s QuietTuning soundproofing muffles most engine noise around town, but there is some engine and wind noise at highway speeds. And the Hankook Synergy GT all-season tires have a high (hard) treadwear rating of 700, making the ride quality feel hard.

I’m not usually a fan of the CVT, but this one moves the Encore GX without delay from turbo spooling or the transmission taking hold. Using Sport mode can sharpen launch force and shift points, but I zipped around in the standard mode. My average fuel economy ranged from 24 to 25 mpg around town to a brief best of 48.5 with very long stretches of highway driving.

Compared to a four-cylinder, there is a little more engine vibration at idle, but it’s not distracting. And there is a more abrupt start-up after a stop-start at idle.

The size of the Encore GX is parking-garage friendly and it’s nimble to maneuver, with a 36.8-foot turning circle. Anybody can be a sloppy parker and still stay between the lines.

The “big” engine has more force than you might expect from three cylinders, though it sounds rattly at idle. (Mark Maynard)

Why Buick Encore GX?

The girlfriend’s Buick skepticism waned after a test run. She liked that the Encore GX wasn’t macho, and it connected with her feminine side.

“From a woman’s perspective, it’s cute and easy to get in and out of, and it’s really quiet,” she said. “And it goes like hell when you step on it.”

The Encore GX is a sweet package and a credible “premium” offering in a segment with more utilitarian competitors. You might gulp at the as-tested price, but its wealth of features will seem fair as a safe space to navigate a pandemic.