Buick gives the big Enclave a mid-cycle refresh to the 2013 model-year.
The Buick Enclave has become the industry’s best-selling three-row luxury crossover, which is quite an accomplishment in a segment that includes respected competitors such as the Infiniti JX, Acura MDX, Lincoln MKT, Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.
The challenge will be to keep it on top, especially as the Buick CUV is one of the segment’s oldest models. But for 2013 the Enclave gets a complete facelift, inside and out, that the General Motors division hope will keep the crossover’s momentum going.
The new model-year will also see Buick take a key step to increase the appeal of its compact Verano.
The 2013 Buick Enclave’s update is designed to move the model a little more up-market, a key step considering the brand is being more squarely targeted against Toyota’s Lexus line.
The Enclave's interior is upgraded and more ergonomic in the update.
The instrument panel, for example, was completely redone and now presents a clean, elegant form that is both nice to look at, with carefully detailed stitching, but also more ergonomically laid out. The center console, which now comes with Buick’s new music and mobile phone connectivity package, Intellilink, is more accessible than in the older versions of the Enclave. It also gives the vehicle a more contemporary feel.
The Enclave’s excellent visibility and comfortable seats remain and the packaging on the interior is functional and comfortable at the same time. Captain’s chair seats are available for the second row but the Enclave also can be ordered with bench seats.
From an exterior standpoint, the update is a relatively modest makers: the front and rear facias have been redone for 2013 in keeping with the Enclaves strong lines; while new LED daytime running lamps and accent lamps, along with LED taillamps that seamlessly transition into the rear gate, complement the more sculpted exterior shape.
The Enclave also comes with GM’s new center air bag which helps protect occupants in side impact collisions.
The changes to the 2013 Enclave chassis are relatively modest but they go a long way towards upgrading the crossovers on-road feel and overall driving dynamics, which were already very good even before the changes.
The turbocharged Ecotec I-4 makes a big difference in Verano's driving manners.
The GM brand is also bringing out a turbocharged version of the 2013 Buick Verano, which made its debut last winter. The new performance model delivers more than 250 horse power, some serious pulling power in a car of its compact size.
Tony DiSalle, Buick’s marketing manager, says the Verano has been bringing in younger buyers ever since it was introduced back in January and the turbocharged version of the Verano is expected to accentuate the trend.
While Buick is clearly trying to build up its performance bona fides, the maker isn’t walking away from its traditional brand attributes. The 2-liter Ecotec inline-four engine used in the 2013 Buick Verano was carefully tuned to maintain the relative peace of the car’s quiet cabin. Out on the road, while the extra power is quite evident in all kinds of situations — from entering a freeway to passing other vehicles –the brash roar you typically associate with small-displacement turbocharged engines never filter back into the cabin.
The Buick Verano turbo gets a manual gearbox and aluminum pedals.
The Verano also retains the overall tradition of comfort, which has been one of Buick’s hallmarks down through the years.
The 2013 Buick Verano Turbo will be priced at $29,990, including a destination charge of $885.
The 2013 Buick Enclave, meanwhile, now starts at $39,270, including that destination fee, a $2,770 increase from last year’s model.