TraveLog: Discovering Detroit's gems with the Buick Encore

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The event I look forward to the most at the start of the year isn't the International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, it is the Detroit Auto Show.

The North American Auto Show (NAIAS) is about flashy new vehicles but it is also about the latest car technology. This includes hybrids, electric vehicles, car infotainment and safety features. I also wanted to explore certain parts of Detroit as well as get a feel for my ride, the 2017 Buick Encore.

The Buick Encore delivers 

This is the second year I've made the drive up to Detroit, but the first year where GM provided me a vehicle to use.

The Buick Encore surprised me at first, it looked rather small and I worried that It wouldn't be up to the task of driving through sheets of snow and ice, but I was pleasantly surprised.

My top of the line Buick Encore came with all the trimmings.

I used both Android Auto (going) and Apple CarPlay (coming home) for my navigation and podcast and music streaming needs. Heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel kept me toasty during the duration of my drive. 

Built-in USB ports powered my Moto Z as well as my iPhone SE plus the Papago dash-cam without any issue.

The Encore is a tall vehicle but it proved to be stable even when buffeted by 80 Kph winds on the highway. I appreciated the side mirror blind spot detection which made it possible to shift lanes safely.

Any skepticism I had about the Buick Encore being too small, was dispelled. The 1.4 liter turbo engine is quick, I managed to quickly speed up in various conditions and had no trouble going from 80 kph to 130 kph to get ahead of large trucks.

The Buick Encore was comfortable, it had good headroom and although I found the placement of the headrests to be odd, I didn't feel the usual fatigue or body pain from driving for four hours straight.

Best of all, the Buick Encore is exceedingly nimble, more maneuverable than many sedans. It's easy to park, stops on a dime and keeps interior noise to a minimum. Best of all, the fuel efficiency of this this small SUV is remarkable as I only had to top up once going and once coming back to Toronto.

Detroit Dining and shopping

I had a two hours before I had to check in to the Marriott at the Renaissance Centre right in GM's global headquarters. I purposely skipped snacks on the go to have a large lunch.

For lunch, I opted for Steve's Soul Food which was a five minute drive away from my hotel. This cafeteria style restaurantis located in what seems to be an old dance hall or theatre. 

My order consisted of fried chicken wings, mashed potatoes and gravy, collard greens, sweet corn and beans and rice. 

The food was hearty and tasty. The collard greens were exceptional and the fried chicken was crunchy yet moist.

Servers and staff were friendly and pricing was fair. Although what surprised me was the amount of styrofoam this place uses.

Whether you're dining in or taking out, they serve the food in styrofoam and there's even a wall of styrofoam stacked on the side. This seems wasteful.

After lunch, I decided to visit Third Man Records and check out the flagship Shinola store at the Cass Corridor.

Being Sunday, I was able to park right by these shops. Third Man Records is a store and performance venue owned by musician Jack White. 

More than just a store, it is an embodiment of White's aesthetic and a nod to Detroit's sense of cool.

There's t-shirts, mugs, memorabilia as well as record players and tons of records. White, who was an upholsterer by trade, seems to have chosen the interiors which are striking yet classic.

Even the men's room is worth visiting since it is brightly painted and has various colognes, deodorants and mouthwash for guests to use.

Third Man Record has all your vinyl record needs and you can even cut a record in a booth.

Third Man Records is a very cool shop, if you like Detroit's rock scene and bands like The White Stripes, Dead Weather, Raconteurs and others, it's a definite destination and one I plan to revisit.

A few steps away is one of my favourite stores, Shinola. They make beautiful leather products, exquisite quartz watches, expensive bicycles, and now, $2,500 turntables

Shinola is more than a shop and store, the company is part of Detroit's revitalization renaissance which is rising from the ashes of the city's industrial and manufacturing industries.

  You may not be able to afford many of the items sold at Shinola, but it's worth to visit to check out the high degree of craftsmanship and attention to detail the company employs.

Shinola's flagship store is the kind of place I could spend hours (and money) in. You can create your own wristwatch by choosing your strap and watch body. 

You can check out handcrafted notebooks, knives and leather accessories. Another trademark of most Shinola stores, is that they serve a mean espresso right in the store. Shinola recently unveiled their premium Runwell Turntable.

 Visitors can actually see them build them in this store.

There are other notable stores and even a nearby craft brewery here in Cass Corridor.

I would have spent a few more hours exploring if I didn't need to check in my hotel and file some stories.

The Buick Encore proved to be a reliable, fun and economical vehicle to drive and one that's ideal for four passengers or for two adults with a child.

It has sure changed the way I perceived smaller SUVs and has made me consider Buick as a serious competitor to the likes of Honda, Toyota, Ford and Nissan.