2014 Buick Encore

CHANGES FOR 2014:

- Available Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert.

We've been caught completely off-guard by how popular the Buick Encore has become. Even though its bones are based on the more pedestrian Chevrolet Trax, the tri-shield version of the compact utility is doing very well, bringing new buyers into the Buick brand. In the segment, the Encore has one of the smallest engines available - a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine - and it could be called underpowered by some, considering it is powering a luxury marque. Yet, for 2014, the only additions are new safety features.

The Encore is available in Convenience, Leather, and Premium trims, with front- or all-wheel drive, and can only be had with one engine - a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.

In Convenience trim, features include 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission, airbags (driver and front passenger knee, front, front seat, side curtain, rear seat-mounted outboard), OnStar, electronic immobilizer, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive optional on all trims), chrome door handles, fog lights, automatic light control, power body colour mirrors, chrome roof rails, 18-inch aluminum wheels, two-piece storage tray under cargo load floor, air conditioning, cruise control, floor mats, driver information centre, remote keyless entry system, power locks, tilt/telescopic steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel with Bluetooth/cruise/audio controls, power windows with driver auto-up/down, 60/40 split-fold rear bench seat, cloth/leatherette seating surfaces, 6-way power driver seat, 2-way manual passenger seat, 6-speaker audio, Bluetooth phone connectivity, Buick IntelliLink, and USB port.

Leather trim adds remote starter, rear cross traffic alert, side blind zone alert, backup camera, automatic dual-zone climate control, driver seat and mirror memory, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, leather seating surfaces, and 6-way power passenger seat.

Premium trim adds Ultrasonic parking assist, Rainsense wipers with automatic variable control, 18-inch chrome wheels, and 7-speaker Bose audio system.