It would be, but the overall balance of the vehicle helps to offset the issue of potentially lower reliability. The Pacifica has significant tangible benefits over its competition. The car's engine is one of the biggest influences on your day to day enjoyment of a car. No car is perfect, but the engine choices here really hurt this vehicle, and I don't really see anything else appealing about it that would offset that for me vs other options available for the money. I would much rather for instance have a Mazda CX-30 over this and it would likely be cheaper. This is not a cheap car. As a matter of fact I could buy a CX-5 and I'd MUCH rather have that.

If we take the engines off the table, what is it about this vehicle that stands above the other vehicles in the segment and for the money that makes it worth it to accept a terrible 3 cyl engine? I don't see anything. Interior is okay, it doesnt ride great, its expensive. When you add in a terrible engine...I just don't get it.

With respect that you have ordered one of these, I think the primary driver of that is that its a Buick, and the Buick brand has a draw for you. I don't see on specs how this vehicle is competitive with those engines. I wouldn't even consider one.

 

The writer might have been referring to the EPA rating which is under 30 mpg (26/29/28).

 

The outgoing LaCrosse actually has better highway MPG...hwy is 30

 

Smaller engines do not always equal better MPG, especially on the highway.

Case in point, I get better mileage in my LS than I did in my GS, and not far off the ES. I get 27 MPG highway, best in the GS was 25 or 26. Doesnt surprise me at all that the Lacrosse has better highway MPG, its more aerodynamic and I bet it cruises at a much lower RPM.

 

A CX-30 would be cheaper than a loaded Essence....not necessarily a Select or Preferred Encore GX. And it certainly wouldn't be less-expensive than a low-line Trailblazer, which starts at $19,995.

I have a lot of respect for Mazda (I owned three of them, brand-new)...but, in general, they are too sport-oriented for my current tastes.

You mentioned the CX-5. I haven't seen the latest 2020/2021 versions, but, the last one I sampled, several years ago (and did a review on), had an annoying red/blue idiot-light system for the engine-coolant-temperature instead of (IMO) a proper gauge. That's a deal-breaker for me....no gauge, no sale. I'm a firm believer in knowing what's going on under the hood before things get out of hand.

I was drawn to it from the first moment I saw it. I liked the overall exterior size (perfect for my current needs...the current Encore is too small), interior packaging, cleverly-designed seat-folds for carrying large or long items, adjustable cargo-floor level, reasonably-comfortable seats (though not as cushy as the Lacrosse's), tri-color Buick emblems inside and out, buttons to connect/disconnect the AWD and engine start/stop systems, the unprecedented number of safety-features either standard or available which breaks new ground for a GM product, the handsome front end (many reviewers have commented favorably on the styling), ease of parking/low-speed manverabilty, and the nice materials used inside on the front dash and door-panels, though the rear-seat materials are cheap. But I don't ride in back LOL.


The Trailblazer has the same engines/drivetrains, so its not necessarily a Buick-issue. I'll admit, though, that, with a few small exceptions, I am generally very pleased with my GM dealership's sales/service...and, in my book, good businesses deserve repeat customers.

No, it's not much engine, but then, it well-fits my driving style today, although, yes, I agree (as I've stated before) that another cylinder wouldn't hurt.

And, look at the way the Trailblazer is selling (dealers can't keep them in stock), so one has to admit that the basic platform is attractive to a lot of people. I just prefer the Buick version overall.

Of course not...it's clearly too small for your family. (your wife would probably laugh at the thought of one LOL) . But I'm single, and usually don't have people in the back seat.

 

An Encore GX starts at $25k, $4k more than where the CX-30 starts. I've driven them, they ride great for what they are and if the reviews of the poor ride in the Encore GX are any indication will ride as least as well as that. Nothing in that segment rides "great", moving up to a Rav-4/CRV/CX-5 pays big dividends in ride and feel.

?! Who cares about a coolant gauge vs a 150hp 3 cyl engine? Not the vast majority of people. The CX-5 is way more car than this, for similar money.

BTW, most coolant gauges today arent actually gauges anyway. They just are normal or high, so it just goes from normal to overheating. How is a light any different?

It being a Buick is a big part of why you were drawn to it. As someone who isn't a Buick fan...I don't see the appeal. I think you'll see most of these will sell to fleets as rentals.

I don't just look at vehicles based on my needs. I just don't see where this vehicle stands out from its competitors in any way. If it weren't a Buick, you would have never considered it I bet.

 

Surprisingly the Encores (regular and GX) are outselling the Trailblazer for both September as well as year-to-date. By a good amount too.

 

Astonishing...

 

GX and Trailblazer should be compared for sales...not the regular Encore

 

GM currently has very generous incentives to try and move the older, smaller Encore because all the attention is currently focused on the GX. Previously, the Encore was Buick's best-selling product in the U.S. (the Verano/Excelle was their biggest seller in China).


I don't know if my Encore GX order will be included in the total-sales or not, as it it will be an early-production 2021. Didn't want a 2020, even with incentives......first-year GM products can be risky.

 

Even more risky now that GM has dropped the warranty to 3 years.

 

Sales thru September GX = 27.9k and Trailblazer = 17k.

 

I don't know how good the incentives on the older Encores are but they might need to increase them. Sales for Sept. were -55% and YTD -52%.

 

mmmm I wonder why?

 

When I checked the pricing of the Encore GX they have like a $3,200 incentive on it too, which is huge given its price point

I also don’t understand the name. They couldn’t come up with a new name?