First Look: 2013 Buick Enclave

News I By John Beltz Snyder I April 04, 2012

At the New York International Auto Show, Buick is showing its new Buick Enclave. For the 2013 model year, the three-row crossover gets new styling, safety technologies, in-vehicle connectivity, and a more refined driving experience, according to the company.

On the outside, new on the 2013 Enclave are LED daytime running lamps and taillamps, headlight design, hood, black-chrome grille, rear fascia with integrated exhaust outlets, and nineteen- and twenty-inch wheel designs. The interior sees new ice blue LED ambient lighting, and a new center stack with standard IntelliLink LCD display, tri-zone climate system, and capacitive touch controls.

The new Enclave offers a new, standard, industry-first front center airbag. When deployed, it positions itself between the driver and front passenger to help protect them from impact.

There’s only one engine option for the 2013 Enclave: a 3.6-liter V-6 producing 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The vehicle offers front- and all-wheel-drive versions. The FWD Enclave achieves 17/24 miles per gallon, city/hwy, while the AWD model gets 16/22 mpg.

Scroll down for more information in Buick’s press release.

Buick Introduces the New 2013 Enclave

New design cues, technologies enhance the industry’s top three-row luxury crossover

2012-04-03

NEW YORK – Buick today introduced the new 2013 Enclave, an evolution of the industry’s best-selling three-row luxury crossover. It offers new styling, new safety technologies, in-vehicle connectivity and a more refined driving experience.

LED daytime running lamps and LED taillamps complement a more sculpted exterior design. The interior is more contemporary, with ambient lighting and IntelliLink in-vehicle communications with touch-screen control and navigation. The industry’s first front center air bag system and new dual-flow front struts highlight the safety and performance enhancements.

The 2013 Enclave makes its public debut at the New York Auto Show, where it will be on display April 6-15. It goes on sale this fall.

“The 2013 Enclave advances the award-winning design, craftsmanship and technology that reintroduced Buick to a new generation of customers,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. “We evolved the interior and exterior design, increased luxury amenities and materials, and engineered purposeful technologies that will make the Enclave continue to resonate with luxury crossover owners.”

Enclave saw record sales in 2011, making it more popular than the three-row crossovers from Acura, Audi and Lincoln. More than 58,000 were sold last year – with nearly 50 percent sold to customers switching from non-General Motors vehicles.

The Enclave is offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models, and powered by a direct-injected 3.6L V-6 and an updated six-speed automatic transmission that contribute to the more refined driving experience. Buick’s QuietTuning engineering process reduces, blocks and absorbs unwanted noise from the Enclave’s cabin, making it quieter than a Lexus RX350.

Sculpted exterior advances Buick’s design language

Enclave’s sculpted styling redefined Buick’s design language upon its introduction more than five years ago. The 2013 model adds new signature cues, including:

New front fascia with LED daytime running lamps
New headlamp design, with standard Xenon high-intensity discharge lamps (HID) and LED accent lighting. Articulating headlamps are available
New hood and black-chrome waterfall grille
New rear fascia design with integrated exhaust outlets
New LED taillamps
New 19-inch and 20-inch aluminum wheel designs
Monochromatic exterior appearance with chrome accents.

The Enclave’s new appearance is instantly recognizable as a modern Buick and the LED lighting elements enhance its technologically advanced presence. The blue translucent rings around the Xenon HID headlamps are Buick design cues found on other models, adding distinction across the brand’s lineup.

At the rear, the exhaust outlets are framed with a chrome finish within the rear fascia, for an integrated appearance that exemplifies Buick’s attention to detail. New LED taillamps provide a safety benefit by illuminating more quickly than conventional bulbs when the brakes are applied.

Harmonious interior environment

The 2013 Enclave’s interior is defined by luxurious amenities and high-quality materials, with changes that create a more contemporary ambience and support the integration of Buick IntelliLink. Highlights:

New ice blue LED ambient lighting around the dash highlights Enclave’s flowing lines, emphasizing the cabin’s spaciousness
Eight-way power front driver and passenger seats with four-way adjustable head restraints emphasize seat comfort
Details including soft touch materials and live stitching throughout the cabin, as well as true chrome accents
Four interior color combinations are available with complementing wood tones, including a new Cocoa leather combination
A new “center stack” with standard IntelliLink LCD display, tri-zone climate system, capacitive touch controls and available navigation system.

“Enclave’s sense of fashion is enhanced with rich saturated tones and the new color combinations, which are driven by Buick customers’ lifestyles,” said Ven Lai, Buick creative designer, color and trim. “The new Cocoa interior color is a great example. It was developed specifically for the Enclave, adding a higher degree of visual warmth that is complemented by the soft feel of the Nuance sandstone leather – a material that has similar characteristics to leathers used in home furnishings. It makes for a comfortable and rewarding place to be for daily commutes or long weekend drives.”

The new center stack was developed for easy, intuitive interaction with the new IntelliLink system, along with redundant controls on the genuine Mahogany-accented steering wheel. The tri-zone climate system’s new controls are designed to be more intuitive, too, with easier, at-a-glance operation, bold digital temperature readouts and larger controls that are easier to operate with gloves.

Enclave offers three rows of seating, available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations. The second-row seats feature the SmartSlide system, which allows easier entry to the third row, with the pull of a single handle. There is 23.3 cubic feet (660 liters) of cargo space behind the third row and a maximum of 115.2 cubic feet (3,263 liters) of cargo space available when the second and third rows are folded. That’s more than the Mercedes-Benz R Class, Infiniti JX, Acura MDX, Lincoln MKT, Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90.

IntelliLink brings wealth of choices

Buick’s IntelliLink system is standard on all models and enhances the driving experience with a higher level of wireless connectivity and customized options – all while building on the safety and security of OnStar.

IntelliLink is intuitive and easy to use and includes the capability of setting up a “home page” for favorites. It integrates online services such as Pandora^® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio^™ using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in other Buick models. Additional features:

High-resolution color display with touch-screen control
Bluetooth with hands-free (for phone calls) and A2DP audio-streaming protocol support
Address book download and hands-free calling
USB port
Auxiliary audio input port
Redundant steering wheel controls
Enhanced voice recognition powered by Nuance
AM/FM/Audio CD/MP3 CD/ HD Radio
SiriusXM Satellite Radio and data services
Selected Smartphone apps can be controlled through the IntelliLink interface via the touch-screen, steering wheel controls or voice commands. The first apps to be supported are Pandora and Stitcher
Supports playback of MP3 files stored on flash memory drives.

IntelliLink is standard with all Enclaves, including those with the optional navigation system. The IntelliLink screen also serves as the display for the standard rearview camera system. A premium 10-speaker Bose audio system is also available and is optimized for the Enclave’s refined interior acoustics.

Industry-first front center air bag highlights comprehensive safety package

In 2012, every Buick model was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, underscoring the brand’s commitment to safety leadership. The 2013 Enclave builds on that commitment with the industry’s first front center airbag – a standard feature.

The front center air bag, standard on all 2013 Enclave models, was created to help protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes. It deploys from the inboard side of the driver’s seat and positions itself between the driver and front passenger, delivering a more comprehensive occupant restraint system. No other air bag in passenger vehicles today offers this type of protection in the front seat.

Standard safety features also include StabiliTrak, traction control, panic brake assist, rear-vision camera system and seven total air bags – including head-curtain side air bags covering outboard occupants in all three passenger rows. Rounding out this suite of safety features are two systems available for the first time on the 2013 Enclave: side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert, which use radar to watch spots the driver may not be able to see – and provide visible and audible warnings to help prevent collisions.

Additionally, customer convenience features such as a power liftgate and remote start are standard. The Enclave also comes with six months of complimentary OnStar Directions and Connections service, which includes automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation, roadside assistance, emergency services link and remote door unlocking. The myBuick mobile app with OnStar RemoteLink offers connectivity to the Enclave from outside the vehicle, including extended locking and unlocking capability and extended remote start functionality.

A smoother, more controlled driving experience

The Enclave’s engineers improved its carlike driving experience with revised front and rear dampers, for greater smoothness and an enhanced feeling of control. In the front suspension, new dual-flow dampers and rebound springs are used to reduce the jarring feel of bumps, as well as provide a quieter and smoother ride. In the rear, new low-velocity control shocks help reduce road inputs that could be felt inside the passenger compartment.

All models feature independent front and rear suspensions, with variable-effort power-assisted steering; and a direct-acting stabilizer bar on the front MacPherson-strut suspension helps provide a more immediate feeling of responsiveness during turns. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 19- and 20-inch wheels are available.

Revised controls in the next-generation Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission also contribute to Enclave’s smoother feel behind the wheel. They improve the shift feel and overall driveability – and the fuel-saving six-speed design helps the three-row Enclave deliver an EPA-estimated 24 mpg on the highway (FWD models).

About Buick
Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick or at www.facebook.com/buick.

2013 BUICK ENCLAVE SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:	Buick Enclave FWD/AWD
Body style / driveline:	crossover / front-engine; front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
Construction:	body-frame integral
EPA vehicle class:	sport-utility vehicle
Manufacturing location:	Lansing Delta Township Assy. Plant, Lansing, Mich.
Key competitors:	Acura MDX, Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC90, Audi Q7

Engines

Type:	3.6L V-6 VVT DI
Displacement (cu in / cc):	217 / 3564
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.7 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material:	cast aluminum with cast-in bore liners
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery:	direct injection
Compression ratio:	11.3:1
Horsepower (hp / kW) @ rpm:	288 / 215 @ 6300*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm) @ rpm:	270 / 366 @ 3400*
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded
Max. engine rpm (fuel cutoff):	6700
EPA fuel economy (city / hwy):	17 / 24 (FWD) 16 / 22 (AWD)

Transmission

Type:	Hydra-Matic 6T75 6-speed FWD/AWD automatic transmission
Gear Ratio (:1)
First:	4.48
Second:	2.87
Third:	1.84
Fourth:	1.41
Fifth:	1.0
Sixth:	0.74
Reverse:	2.88
Final drive ratio:	3.16 (FWD) 2.73 (AWD)

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	coil-over strut; direct acting stabilizer bar; full perimeter isolated cradle
Rear:	linked H-arm independent suspension; coil springs with twin tube shock absorbers mounted on isolated sub-frame
Steering type:	hydraulic rack-and-pinion; straight ratio and variable effort
Steering ratio:	16.1
Steer wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	2.89
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	40.4 / 12.3

Brakes

Type	four-wheel disc
Rotor diameter (in / mm):	front: 12.8 x 1.1 / 325 x 29, ventilated rear: 13 x 0.8 / 331 x 20, ventilated
Anti-lock braking system (ABS):	Bosch 8.0 Chassis Controls: ABS / ETC / ESC w/rollover mitigation

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	18 x 7.5-in; painted aluminum (std on 1SD) 19 x 8-in; machined aluminum (std on 1SL) 19 x 8-in.; chrome-clad aluminum (opt on 1SL, std on SN) 20 x 7.5-in; machined aluminum (opt on 1SN)
Tire size and type:	P255/65R18 ALS blackwall P255/60R19 ALS blackwall P255/55R20 H-rated blackwall

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	118.9 / 3021
Overall length (in / mm):	201.9 / 5127
Overall width (in / mm):	79 / 2006
Overall height (in / mm):	71.7 / 1822
Track
Front (in / mm):	67.3 / 1709
Rear (in / mm):	67.1 / 1704
Curb weight (lb / kg):	4715 / 2143 (FWD) 4913 / 2233 (AWD)
Min. ground clearance (in / mm):	7.6 / 194

Interior

Seating capacity:	7 or 8
Headroom
First row (in /mm):	40.4 / 1026 (w/o sunroof); 38.6 / 979 (w/ sunroof)
Second row (in / mm):	39.4 / 1000 (w/o sunroof); 38.8 / 984 (w/ sunroof)
Third row (in / mm):	37.8 / 959
Legroom
First row (in / mm):	41.3 / 1050
Second row (in / mm):	36.8 / 934
Third row (in / mm):	33.2 / 843
Shoulder room
First row (in / mm):	61.6 / 1564
Second row (in / mm):	61.3 / 1558
Third row (in / mm):	57.4 / 1458
Hip room
First row (in / mm):	57.2 / 1452
Second row (in / mm):	57 / 1448
Third row (in / mm):	48.3 / 1227
Cargo volume (cu ft / L)
Behind first row with second seat folded and third-row seat and cargo management system removed:	115.2 / 3263
Behind second row with third-row seat and cargo management system removed:	68.9 / 1951
Behind third row with cargo management system removed:	23.3 / 660

Capacities

EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L):	151.1 / 4277
Fuel tank (gal / L):	22 / 83.3
Engine oil (qt / L):	5.5 / 5.2
Transmission fluid (qt / L):	9.5 / 9.0 (Dexron VI only)
Cooling system (qt / L):	11.8 / 11.2
Max towing capacity (lb / kg):	4500 / 2045
GCWR (lb / kg):	9500 / 4309 (FWD) 9700 / 4400 (AWD)
GVWR (lb / kg):	2908 / 6411 (FWD) 2930 / 6459.5 (AWD)