NY Show 2012 Highlights: 2013 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is built on the same GM Lambda platform as the GMC Acadia and the Chevrolet Traverse three-row crossovers, and with more than 58,000 examples sold last year, has managed to carve out a lucrative niche in its segment. But all good things must be refreshed—the Enclave was introduced as a 2008 model—so all three Lambdas are being reworked this year, with this 2013 Enclave being the last to break cover. It and the 2013 Chevy Traverse make their debut at the 2012 New York auto show; the 2013 Acadia debuted at January's Detroit show.

Buick certainly appreciates the Enclave's success, and that's perhaps why this mid-cycle update is subtle. Materials, details, and styling are slightly revised in the interest of remaining contemporary, but the Enclave’s essence remains fully intact.

When staring the Enclave down from the front, the grille remains the most striking detail, and it now features an alternating pattern of black and chrome uprights of varying dimensions in place of the previous all-chrome job. The lower front fascia is now painted to match the body. New headlamps have a longer, leaner, and more-angular profile; they incorporate amber turn indicators, which formerly resided in the bumper. Standard HID lamps are enhanced with LED accent lights, while active headlamps that turn to illuminate corners are available. Blue rings in the headlights match those on the previous car, as well as the cars in the rest of Buick’s lineup. Finally, Buick’s trademark portholes have been moved to the top of the hood.

LED taillamps and a body-color rear valance have been fitted at the rear, where the oval exhaust outlets of the outgoing Enclave have been replaced with more-rectangular units. Aluminum 18-inch wheels are standard; buyers will have their choice of upgrading to either 19- or 20-inch rollers in painted, machined, or chrome finishes.

Thanks to: Car and Driver