Buick Encore, Chevy Trax reportedly dead after 2022
03-19-22, 06:48 AM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
......And, even adjusted for inflation, a three-cylinder turbo Encore GX costs a lot more than a three-cylinder Geo Metro XFi did for a reason. The Metro got twice the mileage (60+ on the road)....but was basically a tin can to sit in and drive, and you sure wouldn't want to get hit in one. 
The Encore GX is more pleasant to drive, more versatile, and reasonably safe in an accident.
The Encore GX is more pleasant to drive, more versatile, and reasonably safe in an accident.
03-19-22, 06:55 AM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
I never did understand the reason Toyota introduced that vehicle in the U.S.
Small, cramped, IMO one of the most awkward-looking vehicles on the market. No AWD available despite the fact that it is a crossover. And, most unusual for a Toyota, the first one I looked at and sat in, on a dealer lot, had trim pieces on the dash that were not only never installed properly, but were sprung and misaligned to the point that they actually partially-blocked the engine-start button. I tried to fix it myself, but could only partially do so.
I don't disagree with that............I made that point myself in an earlier post. But, from what I've seen in images, the GX is much nicer inside....the 2Gen Encore reminds me of more or less a base-level Ford Escape inside. It was definitely built to a strict budget.
Small, cramped, IMO one of the most awkward-looking vehicles on the market. No AWD available despite the fact that it is a crossover. And, most unusual for a Toyota, the first one I looked at and sat in, on a dealer lot, had trim pieces on the dash that were not only never installed properly, but were sprung and misaligned to the point that they actually partially-blocked the engine-start button. I tried to fix it myself, but could only partially do so.
Too much overlap between them, doesn't make sense to sell the Encore and Encore GX alongside each other.
03-19-22, 06:58 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Windshield-antenna-wires in GM products started long before the Metro.....they go back to the late 1960s, along with less-than-optimal radio-reception. Today, of course, advanced electronics has cured most of that...and given us new antenna-designs, although, for some reason, the Encore GX still uses a shark-fin and short mast.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-19-22 at 07:08 AM.
03-19-22, 07:03 AM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 03-19-22 at 07:54 AM.
03-19-22, 08:25 AM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
But if Toyota didn't have world markets. UX and CT as well as the smaller LX would be D.O.A. Would never make money. They just dump them here.Same thing for the GX Encore. it is dumped here from South Korea .Lexus sales are actually stalled at 300K because they lack what Americans really want. A huge SUV like an Escalade or massive crossover.
......And, even adjusted for inflation, a three-cylinder turbo Encore GX costs a lot more than a three-cylinder Geo Metro XFi did for a reason. The Metro got twice the mileage (60+ on the road)....but was basically a tin can to sit in and drive, and you sure wouldn't want to get hit in one. The Encore GX is more pleasant to drive, more versatile, and reasonably safe in an accident.
The Encore GX is more pleasant to drive, more versatile, and reasonably safe in an accident.I never did understand the reason Toyota introduced that vehicle in the U.S. Small, cramped, IMO one of the most awkward-looking vehicles on the market. No AWD available despite the fact that it is a crossover. And, most unusual for a Toyota, the first one I looked at and sat in, on a dealer lot, had trim pieces on the dash that were not only never installed properly, but were sprung and misaligned to the point that they actually partially-blocked the engine-start button. I tried to fix it myself, but could only partially do so.
Small, cramped, IMO one of the most awkward-looking vehicles on the market. No AWD available despite the fact that it is a crossover. And, most unusual for a Toyota, the first one I looked at and sat in, on a dealer lot, had trim pieces on the dash that were not only never installed properly, but were sprung and misaligned to the point that they actually partially-blocked the engine-start button. I tried to fix it myself, but could only partially do so.
03-19-22, 12:19 PM
#21
Lexus Champion
But this is because there was no "crossover" vehicle below a RAV4 in the 1990s. The reason the RAV4 has grown is because they have moved the RAV4 upsized and upscale, with more vehicle choices below.
This isn't just a Toyota thing. Look, for example, at the BMW 3 vs 5 Series. A current 3-Series is as big (or maybe bigger) than a late 1990s/early 2000s 5-Series. But there is now a 2-Series below the 3-Series for those looking at a smaller car. Same with Audi A3 and MB CLA.
Automakers may not be able to get a RAV4 loyalist to move up to a Highlander; but they can keep upselling that buyer with a bigger, more equipped and more expensive RAV4...if they offer something below the RAV4 for the entry-level buyer. Like, say, a Corolla Cross.
You mean the HR-V? This is exactly the point. When the CR-V debuted, that was the "entry level" Honda crossover.
This isn't just a Toyota thing. Look, for example, at the BMW 3 vs 5 Series. A current 3-Series is as big (or maybe bigger) than a late 1990s/early 2000s 5-Series. But there is now a 2-Series below the 3-Series for those looking at a smaller car. Same with Audi A3 and MB CLA.
Automakers may not be able to get a RAV4 loyalist to move up to a Highlander; but they can keep upselling that buyer with a bigger, more equipped and more expensive RAV4...if they offer something below the RAV4 for the entry-level buyer. Like, say, a Corolla Cross.
You mean the HR-V? This is exactly the point. When the CR-V debuted, that was the "entry level" Honda crossover.
03-19-22, 02:33 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
03-19-22, 02:40 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
03-19-22, 02:49 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
That wasn't what I was disagreeing with. I was saying I don't agree with your view of it's "cool" styling. I'm also not impressed with the fact that Toyota didn't give the American market versions an AWD option. That is one of the reasons for buying a crossover to start with, though not the only one. It did, however, seem to sell in decent numbers for a FWD-only crossover.
03-19-22, 02:53 PM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
That wasn't what I was disagreeing with. I was saying I don't agree with your view of it's "cool" styling. I'm also not impressed with the fact that Toyota didn't give the American market versions an AWD option. That is one of the reasons for buying a crossover to start with, though not the only one. It did, however, seem to sell in decent numbers for a FWD-only crossover.
03-19-22, 02:54 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
03-20-22, 08:26 AM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
03-20-22, 08:35 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
That wasn't what I was disagreeing with. I was saying I don't agree with your view of it's "cool" styling. I'm also not impressed with the fact that Toyota didn't give the American market versions an AWD option. That is one of the reasons for buying a crossover to start with, though not the only one. It did, however, seem to sell in decent numbers for a FWD-only crossover.
03-20-22, 08:39 AM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Its designed to appeal to young first car buyers, and it does that well. If my kids wanted one, I'd buy one.
03-20-22, 09:03 AM
#30
Lexus Fanatic