General Motors has been offering the Buick Encore, which is based on the original Opel Mokka, in the States since 2013, but a replacement is supposedly underway for the U.S. market. A second-generation was launched, alongside the Encore GX, at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. However, it was restricted to the Chinese market, whereas in the U.S. the first-generation, which was facelifted in 2017, carried on. Now it seems that GM might have decided to bring the second generation over from China to the United States and Canada. It will allegedly launch later this year as a 2022 model and is expected to be offered alongside the current Encore GX.
According to GMAuthority, the 2022 Encore
will pack a new 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that will replace the i4 LUV
powering its predecessor. The output and torque will apparently stand at 153 HP
and 240 Nm, an improvement over today’s model that has 138 HP and 201 Nm, and it should be more fuel efficient. Both front- and
all-wheel drive versions of the subcompact crossover are expected to launch,
albeit probably in a single trim level, as Buick will reportedly drop the base
spec. If it keeps the same nomenclature, then the Preferred will become the
sole grade available.
The all-new Encore should still be
positioned under the Encore GX, but in order for this to happen, GM would need
to adjust the prices, because the 2021 Encore Preferred FWD starts at US$ 25,595
with no options, while the GX can be ordered from US$ 24,200. As for the base 2021
Encore, it has an MSRP of US$ 23,200. Thus, we’re curious if Buick will make the
upcoming 2022 Encore more affordable than its predecessor, or if they will bump
the cost of the bigger and more premium offering instead. Still, you’d better
take this with the proverbial pinch of salt, as nothing has been confirmed yet.
