2013 Buick Encore is on display at auto show in Detroit - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(01/16/13) - The Buick line up is expanding. The 2013 Encore, a small crossover, is designed to attract new customers to Buick dealerships.

The Encore debuted at last year's auto show and three models are on display at Cobo now.

"We expect it to be showing up in dealer showrooms pretty much any day, by the first of February," said Jim Danahy, Encore chief engineer.

The Encore is assembled in South Korea. It's one of the smallest Buick's ever made and fills an important niche in the Buick line up.

"We really don't have a true competitor for this vehicle. We really expect to sell to people who are becoming empty-nesters that might be getting out of a larger SUV and really don't need that much space and want a little better fuel economy," Danahy said.

And gas mileage isn't too bad. The front wheel drive version is expected to get 25 miles per gallon in city driving and 33 on the highway. That's the highest fuel economy of any front-wheel drive crossover. The numbers drop a little on the all-wheel drive model, but it will handle slippery conditions better.

"We've had plenty of the cars out in the snow, the recent snow over Christmas and the cars have really performed well," Danahy said.

This Buick crossover comes with noise cancellation technology, which should make for a very quiet ride. Only one size engine is offered in the Encore, a 1.4 liter turbo charged four cylinder. GM is selling the vehicle in several countries, but not always with the Buick nameplate.

"It's really a global car for us. We have a sister named the (Opel) Mokka in Europe as well. We really expect this vehicle to do well for Buick," Danahy said.

Base price for the Encore is just less than $25,000.