2013 Buick Encore: Brand's First Small Luxury Crossover Revealed

DETROIT -- The 2013 Buick Encore was revealed on Tuesday as General Motors' first small luxury crossover.

Built on a global, small-crossover platform, the Encore small luxury crossover was rolled out for journalists at the 2012 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center.

We've kept it a Buick through and through, giving it grace and beauty, said Ed Welburn, General Motors vice president of global design.

He said the vehicle provides adaptability, safety and the latest technology. Buick, a GM brand, developed the new Encore to compete at a more upscale level than the Toyota RAV 4 or the Honda CR-V. Buick did not announce pricing for the Encore, but it is expected to be comparable with class products including the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.

The Encore and Buick's Verano, the company's third new sedan in three years, gives the brand a complete lineup, a company executive said. The company styled the product to have a big SUV feel, with higher seating and luxury amenities, in a smaller frame setting.

The Encore crossover is the culmination of redefining the brand that started five years ago with the Enclave crossover, said Mary Barra, Buick senior vice president of product development.

The 2013 Buick Encore crossover will come with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (similar to the one that powers the Chevrolet Cruze). For design, it's got Buick's grille, with wood grain and brushed aluminum. The Encore also has a hatch, and fold-flat passenger seats for SUV hauling. Buick said the Encore will get higher than 30 miles per gallon in highway driving, and have 10 airbags to deliver a top safety rating.

Buick Encore is a great-looking, smart choice for those who want luxury crossover amenities in a more maneuverable and agile vehicle, said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. It represents a luxury alternative for a new audience of Buick customers, and delivers features and flexibility not typically found in vehicles of its size today.

The Buick Encore will go on sale in early 2013, company officials said.