RideApart Overview

The 2013 Buick Enclave has evolved for 2013 with new safety technology, better handling and new styles. The Enclave now includes OnStar as standard on all its models. An updated transmission provides better handling of the than the outgoing model. It also improves the overall efficiency of the vehicle adding to fuel savings. The new stylings include chrome accents, a new hood, new headlamp design with xenon high intensity lights, and new front and rear fascia designs with 19 and 20 inch aluminum wheels. Lastly, the Enclave is the first vehicle to have a center airbag that provides extra protection for the driver and front passenger in a collision.

What We Like

The 2013 Buick Enclave has been updated and modernized for 2013. The new accents on the exterior of the vehicle give it better looks over the outgoing model. Safety features such as the OnStar as standard and a central airbag allow for safer driving than ever before. The interior has changed as well with ambient lighting which highlights the lines of the interior, new interior chrome accents, a new leather coloring designed just for the Enclave, and to top it all off the center console comes equipped with a 7-inch color touchscreen.

What's Not To Like

With an MPG of 17 city, 24 highway for FWD and 16 city and 22 highway AWD - the Buick Enclave doesn’t get as good gas mileage as its competitors. With the price of gas always increasing, this car could end up costly to drive.

DriveApart Review: 2013 Buick Enclave
The Enclave outdoors.

Tow and Haul

With a max towing capacity of 4500 pounds this means you will be able to tow a small to medium sized car or trailer with several motorcycles on it. The cargo capacity is large on the Buick Enclave, with 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space with both rows of seats up, 68.9 cubic feet of space with the third up down, and 115.2 cubic feet of cargo space with both rows down.

The Drive

We liked the Enclave a lot on the road and didn’t even wish for a little more power from the 3.6 liter, 288 horsepower V-6. In both front and all-wheel drive guise, the Enclave is a great mid-sized SUV for around town, during our loan we hit a patch of bad weather and the Enclave came shining through. The Enclave drives exactly like you’d expect from a General Motors luxury SUV, everything works, the handling doesn’t compel you to any unwanted action and the drive is super smooth, so smooth that you’ll never mistake the Enclave for an import. The Enclave is designed and built for Americans and that’s a plenty good thing.

DriveApart Review: 2013 Buick Enclave
The V6 engine.

Engine and Drivetrain

The Enclave comes with a 3.6 liter V6 engine that produces 288 horsepower and 270 foot pounds of torque - an upgrade from the 2012 model. The transmission - a revised Hydra-Matic six speed automatic - has been updated for 2013 and it provides a much smoother driving experience. Front wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is an option.

Interesting Vehicle Features

Being a luxury vehicle, the 2013 Buick Enclave comes with all the goodies that one would expect - a center console with a 7 inch color touchscreen with CD player, Buick IntelliLInk and AM/FM/SiriusXM/HD radio. All models of the Enclave come standard with OnStar services and airbags covering all seven seats and introducing a center airbag, a first in the automotive industry, to help provide more protection for the driver and front passenger.

Gas Mileage

The MPG for the Buick Enclave FWD version is 17 city/24 highway with the AWD version at 16 city/22 highway.

DriveApart Review: 2013 Buick Enclave
The interior.

Interior and Exterior

The interior of the Buick Enclave is a luxurious one that's clad in leather and wood accents. The center console features a 7-inch color touchscreen that's lined with chrome accents. It features a large electronic moonrooof and a drop down television. The interior is roomy with much cargo space and easily seats seven to eight passengers. The exterior has had some redesigns for 2013 changing the overall shape and style of the vehicle. The changes include - A redesigned hood, chrome accents, and redesigned headlamps with 19 to 20 inch aluminum wheel designs.

Pricing

The Enclave comes in three iterations, a Convince Group, Leather Group and Premium Group MSRP's at $39,340, $43,355 and $46,52, if you want all-wheel drive, it’s another 1800 dollars or so. The Enclave is more expensive than its competitors - the Infinti JX MSRP's at $41250, the Ford Explorer at $29,100 and the Dodge Durango at $29,495.

The Verdict

We really like the Enclave and found it a great luxury SUV. It can tow and haul, it drive like a cloud and, if you want something big and beautiful and are looking for a great drive on the trail or for your morning commute, look no further.

DriveApart Review: 2013 Buick Enclave
The Enclave traveling the countryside.

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