2013 Buick Enclave

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Rating8.3

Ranked #1 in 

Fullsize SUV
Write Review
$38,445 - $47,625
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Cutting-edge technology and safety features

Subpar fuel economy

Updated exterior and interior styling

Rear visibility is a bit of a concern

Improved interior quality and new features

Specs & Features

$38,445

price

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

torque

6-Speed Automatic

transmission

3.6L 6cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2013 Buick Enclave gets a mid-cycle refresh this year and also gets a new IntelliLink electronics interface. While there are no changes to its powertrain and its chassis, the exterior styling update is pretty prominent. There have been updates made to the suspension system and the Enclave also gets some new features too. The interior design and build quality has also improved considerably over the previous model. The 2013 Buick Enclave price starts at $39,340 including the $895 destination fee and sees a price hike of $2,015.

Featuring a 3-trim lineup of the Enclave, the 2013 Buick Enclave MSRP can be an expense of $39,340-$48,520 this season. Having said that, it simply translates to the fact that the range-leader 2013 Buick Enclave Premium will cost you $9,180 more than the base Enclave for enhanced specs and assets.

Buying Advice

The Buick Enclave with the Leather equipment package is the perfect fit for a driver that prioritizes family comfort over everything else. With this package, creature comforts like an 8-way passenger's seat, leather upholstered seats, and heated front seats get unlocked. Besides, some of the cutting-edge features as standard on the Premium package can be purchased as an optional tech with the Leather package, like the premium 10-speaker Bose sound system. With all the delectable interior options ticked on, you get a well-rounded SUV within a budget of $50,000.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The Enclave grants all these luxurious appointments within an affordable price tag and thus appeals to a wide variety of audiences, especially younger buyers with growing families. Let’s discover what amazing features any family can relish by opting for the 2013 Buick Enclave. It faces stiff competition from the Ford Explorer, Acura MDX, and Lincoln MKT. Continue with the article to know how it performs in front of its rivals in the segment.

Features
8.0/10

Buick is done with its usual trim nomenclature. Instead this year, it offers 3 packages, each of which could be equipped with personal options. These packages are namely Convenience, Leather, and Premium. All these variants are available with all-wheel drive for an extra price. The overview of all these optional group packages is summarized in the table below.

Trim

Convenience

Leather

Premium

MSRP (FWD)

$39,340

$43,355

$46,520

MSRP (AWD)

$41,340

$45,355

$48,520

Key Features

18-inch wheels

19-inch wheels

Adaptive headlights

 

Automatic xenon headlights

Cruise Control

Heated and ventilated front seats

 

Rear privacy glass

8-way power passenger seat

10-speaker Bose sound system

 

Tri-zone automatic climate control

Blind-spot warning system 

Power-folding auto-dimming mirrors

 

Power liftgate

Heated front seats

Optional rear-seat entertainment system

 

8-way power driver seat with 2-way lumbar adjustment

Leather upholstery

 

We Recommend

The Buick Enclave with the Leather equipment package is the perfect fit for a driver that prioritizes family comfort over everything else. With this package, creature comforts like an 8-way passenger's seat, leather upholstered seats, and heated front seats get unlocked. Besides, some of the cutting-edge features as standard on the Premium package can be purchased as an optional tech with the Leather package, like the premium 10-speaker Bose sound system. With all the delectable interior options ticked on, you get a well-rounded SUV within a budget of $50,000.

Engine and Performance
6.0/10

The 2013 Buick Enclave gallops its way ahead with a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6 as its power plant, churning out a power output of 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The crossover gets its smooth bursts of power from a 6-speed automatic gearbox, a technology that was co-developed with Ford and also used in the Ford Flex. The Enclave supports the front-wheel drivetrain as standard but also offers all-wheel drive for customers looking for extra maneuverability in all-weather conditions.

This year, Buick has reprogrammed its transmission to reduce its hunting in upper gears, which was a major topic of complaint in every customer's forum. Shifting gears between the transmission setup feels more breezy at higher speeds. The Enclave usually sends out power in the higher rev range, making it a joy to drive at city speeds as well. The Enclave goes past the 60 MPH mark within a time of 8.5 seconds and conquers the quarter-mile mark in 16.7 seconds. For a big heavy crossover SUV like the Enclave, these figures fit in just about right. The Enclave has a top speed of 150 MPH, which makes it one of the fastest sprinters on the highways.

Model

2013 Buick Enclave

2013 Ford Explorer Limited

2013 Acura MDX 

2013 Lincoln MKT

MSRP

$39,340

$38,100

$43,280

$45,285

Engine

3.6 L Naturally Aspirated V6

3.5 L Naturally Aspirated V6

3.7 L Naturally Aspirated V6

3.7 L Naturally Aspirated V6

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

AWD

FWD

Transmission

6-speed automatic

6-speed automatic w/ manual shift

6-speed-automatic

6-speed automatic w/ manual shift

Power

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

300 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

270 lb.-ft @ 3400 rpm

255 lb.-ft @ 4100 rpm

270 lb.-ft @ 4500 rpm

275 lb.-ft @ 4000 rpm

0-60 MPH (seconds)

8.5

7.5

7.0

6.5

Quarter mile (seconds)

16.7

16

15.4

15.1

Top speed (MPH)

150

131

135

141

In comparison, the Buick Enclave’s power output sits in the middle of the pack, with the Lincoln MKT and the Acura MDX leading the line. The Buick Enclave is considerably slow in the speed charts as well, taking 8.5 and 16.7 seconds to the 60 MPH and quarter-mile mark. When comparing the price range, the Lincoln MKT is the most expensive option in the competition at $45,285.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The Enclave can go around the city for a modest MPG of 17. The highway MPG equates to a more respectable 24. The SUV shells out a combined MPG of 19, which isn’t the kind of fuel economy figure an environmentalist would be proud of. Switch to the all-wheel-drive variant, and you will notice a further dip in MPG figures. Here the Enclave offers a city MPG of 16 and a highway MPG of 22. Combined, the AWD-equipped Enclave returns an MPG of 18.

These subpar fuel economy figures are pretty standard for a seven-seat crossover. Nevertheless, the Enclave features the largest fuel tank in the segment at 22 gallons and coupled with its MPG numbers, the EPA estimates a range of 374 miles in the city and 528 miles on the highway. Thus, the Enclave reduces the number of trips that you would usually take to a fuel station for a quick refill.

Model

2013 Buick Enclave

2013 Ford Explorer Limited

2013 Acura MDX 

2013 Lincoln MKT

MPG (City)

17

17

16

17

MPG (Highway)

24

23

21

25

MPG (Combined)

19

20

18

20

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

22

18.6

21

18.6

Range (City/highway/combined, in miles)

374/528/418

300.9/442.5/372

241.5/354.2/378

316.2/465/372

In this segment, all the cars have similar MPG figures, though there are a few minor differences. Fuel efficiency for the Buick Enclave is comparable to that of the Ford Explorer. However, it is outperformed by the Lincoln MKT, which gets the best highway and combined MPG in its segment. When comparing the overall range, Buick offers the most at 418 miles combined.

Interior
9.0/10

On a first glimpse, you can instantly notice the minimalistic approach to building the interior of the 2013 Buick Enclave. The interior looks plush and beautiful with a mature design. Buick paid careful attention to the interior detailing, as it changed the previous hard plastic materials to soft-touch materials with stitching, and also implemented some beautiful instrument panel curves. The big analog clock up on the dash is a classic and contemporary piece of art.

The best part about the Buick Enclave is definitely its incredible passenger space and comfort. The front seats come with heating and ventilation functionality and are softly upholstered, making you feel right at home. The legroom and shoulder room in the 2nd-row seats are also adequate to stretch yourselves out. The third-row seats are just ideal to fit in medium-sized adults. However, some might complain about the challenge of entering the 3rd-row seats owing to the high step-in height. Nevertheless, the seats are comfortable and luxurious to sit in with plenty of small storage options at your disposal. 

Model

2013 Buick Enclave

2013 Ford Explorer Limited

2013 Acura MDX 

2013 Lincoln MKT

Seating Capacity

7, 8

6, 7

7

7

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

40.4/61.6/41.3

41.4/61.3/40.6

39.2/61.6/41.2

40.1/58.6/41.3

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.4/61.3/36.8

40.5/61/39.8

38.6/61.5/38.7

39/58.1/41.8

Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.8/57.4/33.2

37.8/50.8/33.2

35.8/57.1/28.7

33.5/49.1/33

Cargo Capacity (cubic feet)

23.3

21

15

17.9

The Enclave is a spacious crossover with 7-passenger seating as standard, just like other rivals in its segment. The Enclave offers 23 cubic feet of space behind its 3rd-row seats. If the 3rd-row seats aren’t in use, fold them down to open up a cargo space of 68.9 cubic feet. Fold-down the 2nd-row seats as well, and you get access to a whopping 115.2 cubic feet of space. Judging the interior and cargo dimensions of other competitors, it is safe to say that the Buick Enclave is a cut above everyone else. Major interior features include:

  • Ice-blue LED ambient lighting
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • QuietTuning
  • Leather upholstery
  • Cruise control

How intuitive is the 2013 Buick Enclave’s infotainment unit?

The Enclave features the latest IntelliLink infotainment technology to access every vehicle function alongside a touchscreen display. The dashboard has a fine ergonomic arrangement of the physical buttons and touchscreen display. Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming functionality are also standard, so are the apps for Pandora and Stitcher audio and satellite radio. The inbuilt voice recognition lets you have command over navigation and infotainment with just the power of your voice. Optional tech upgrades include a navigation system, a head-up display, a ten-speaker Bose sound system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Here are all the infotainment features of the Buick Enclave in a nutshell:

  • IntelliLink infotainment
  • Bluetooth hands-free
  • Navigation
  • Voice recognition
  • Satellite radio
  • 10-speaker Bose sound system
  • Head-up display

Exterior
8.0/10

The 2013 Buick Enclave is an appealing midsize crossover SUV and is easily GM’s most aesthetic crossover in its current lineup. With the latest iteration of the Enclave, there have only been a few subtle changes, but the overall vibrant appeal remains the same. The Enclave’s curvaceous sheet metal looks incredibly elegant, and the detailed lines engraved on it convey a suave personality that no other Buick product offers. The different chrome details on the sheet metal body are indicative of a true Americana. This year the Enclave gets a set of new LED running lights, a new grille, and distinctive eyebrows. The tacky venti-ports still look out of place, but Buick has moved them this year to the top of the hood rather than the sides.

Model

2013 Buick Enclave

2013 Ford Explorer Limited

2013 Acura MDX 

2013 Lincoln MKT

Curb Weight (lbs)

4724

4534

4594

4702

Length (in.)

201.9

197.1

191.6

207.6

Width (in.)

79

78.9

78.5

76

Height (in.)

71.7

70.4

68.2

67.4

Ground Clearance (in.)

7.6

7.6

8.2

NA

Wheelbase (in.)

118.9

112.6

108.3

117.9

In comparison, the Lincoln MKT is the longest car in the segment at 207.6 inches and has a total wheelbase that stands at 108.3 inches. The Buick Enclave, on the other hand, has a longer wheelbase and is also wider and taller than any other rival. Thus, the Enclave is on the heavier side of the spectrum when it comes to curb weight but is equally more spacious inside. The defining exterior features of the Buick Enclave are:

  • 18-inch wheels
  • Chrome-trimmed roof rails
  • "Waterfall" grille
  • Chrome exhaust tips
  • Power liftgate 
  • Sunroof

Safety
9.9/10

The Enclave pays great emphasis on the safety of its passengers. Thus, to fulfill that promise, the crossover comes equipped with standard safety features like front-seat side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags, and electronic stability control. This year Buick provides a rearview camera as a safety asset standard across all its variants. 

Another gimmicky feature added this year is an additional side airbag fitted to the inboard position on the driver's seat. This airbag aims to safeguard the front passengers from colliding with each other in the event of a collision. Other optional safety techs that customers can add to strengthen the safety quotient are blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert and front parking sensors. The safety suite of the Enclave includes the following cutting-edge tech:

  • Rear-view backup camera
  • Electronic stability control
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Adaptive headlights
  • Blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert

Final Verdict

The 2013 Buick Enclave is an excellent family proposition, offering stellar interior space and comfort for all family-oriented buyers. The Enclave packs in better value than most of its high-flair German rivals, thanks to its excellent combination of amenities, styling, and efficiency. Moreover, the Enclave offers that premium vehicle experience in a much more affordable package, making it an attractive purchase for youthful buyers.

Trims

    Convenience Group
    $38,445 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 288 hp @ 6300 rpm hp
    • Torque: 270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 114 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg
    Leather Group
    $42,460 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl AWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 288 hp @ 6300 rpm hp
    • Torque: 270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 112 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 18 mpg
    Premium Group
    $45,625 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl AWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 288 hp @ 6300 rpm hp
    • Torque: 270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 112 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 18 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$38,445- $47,625

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.29

Horsepower

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

Capacity

8

Read Review

$50,920

Gasoline

6.86

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,280- $54,805

Gasoline

7.81

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

7

Read Review

$46,800- $64,550

Gasoline

8.12

280 hp @ 4780 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 2250 rpm

7

Read Review

$47,500- $64,200

Gasoline

8.27

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

5

Read Review

$37,330- $50,730

Gasoline

8.26

308 hp @ 6800 rpm

265 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm

5

Read Review

$30,510- $42,575

Gasoline

8.34

281 hp @ 6300 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

8

Read Review

$40,405- $57,725

Gasoline

7.04

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,870- $59,765

Gasoline

7.44

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

9

Read Review

$24,225- $32,735

Gasoline

7.86

182 hp @ 6700 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

2013 Buick Enclave vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.5 sec15.9 sec114 mph
    5.3 sec13.7 sec-
    5.7 sec14.4 sec-
    2013 BMW X5

    Ranked #3

    6.1 sec--
    6.5 sec15.0 sec155 mph
    6.5 sec15.1 sec-

    2013 Buick Enclave vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      17 mpg24 mpg19 mpg22 gal.374/528 mi.
      22 mpg32 mpg26 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/601.6 mi.
      22 mpg28 mpg25 mpg16.6 gal.365.2/464.8 mi.
      20 mpg26 mpg22 mpg19.5 gal.390/507 mi.
      21 mpg27 mpg22 mpg18.3 gal.342/486 mi.
      20 mpg25 mpg22 mpg19.2 gal.384/480 mi.

      2013 Buick Enclave vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        201.9 in.79 in.71.7 in.7.6 in.118.9 in.
        222.4 in.79.1 in.76.8 in.9.1 in.130 in.

        2013 GMC Yukon XL

        Ranked #1

        222.4 in.79.1 in.76.8 in.8.9 in.130 in.
        207.7 in.79.3 in.77.2 in.9.8 in.123.2 in.
        205.1 in.79.9 in.77 in.9.9 in.122 in.
        203.7 in.78.5 in.69.9 in.7.2 in.118.9 in.

        2013 Buick Enclave vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          23.3 cu.ft.100.7 cu.ft.115.2 cu.ft.
          38.2 cu.ft.132.7 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.
          18.9 cu.ft.-120.1 cu.ft.
          16.9 cu.ft.-108.9 cu.ft.
          16.9 cu.ft.39.2 cu.ft.108.9 cu.ft.
          32.3 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.68.6 cu.ft.

          2013 Buick Enclave vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            73.4 cu.ft.23.3 cu.ft.115.2 cu.ft.-
            81.7 cu.ft.16.1 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.-
            59.7 cu.ft.17.2 cu.ft.100.7 cu.ft.-
            10.6 cu.ft.24.8 cu.ft.62 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.32.2 cu.ft.68.9 cu.ft.98 ft.
            62.9 cu.ft.23.7 cu.ft.62.9 cu.ft.-

            2013 Buick Enclave vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              4500 lbs.1687 lbs.4724 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1295 lbs.5730 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1633 lbs.5467 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1633 lbs.5467 lbs.
              8200 lbs.1728 lbs.5372 lbs.
              8100 lbs.1526 lbs.5674 lbs.

              2013 Buick Enclave SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              4

              Recalls

              2

              Investigations

              66

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2013 Buick Enclave User Reviews

              2.0

              [2 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [50.0%] [1 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

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              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

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              POPULAR TAGS

              CM

              Christine McNeill

              2014 Buick Enclave

              Convenience Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 25, 2024

              Love, love. love my car!

              Pros - ["I like the look .", "I like the ride and comfort."]

              Cons - ["I've wanted a SUV for a while but didn't realize how much gas it burns.", "The side view mirrors are set too high for short people. They block the view of oncoming traffic at intersections."]

              My 2014 Buick Enclave Leather Group is a mid-to-large size luxury crossover SUV known for its comfortable ride, spacious interior, and upscale features. The Enclave Leather Group is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, which delivers 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. It offers a smooth and comfortable rider The only con is the side view mirrors are set too high.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              MD

              Mamie Dickerson

              2014 Buick Enclave

              Leather Group 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

              4

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: September 30, 2023

              Good pre-owned Enclave.

              Pros - Smooth riding, reliable, spacious, luxurious design

              Cons - Nothing as such.

              Best Purchase. 14 Enclave is totally worth it, it's been years since I purchased it and I'm still glad that I bought it. I'm in my 60s and thankfully this SUV gave me the least amount of issues. It turned out that if we just take proper care of Enclave, it can stay as it was on the day of buying. It's great for families who are looking for an affordable option but still want something luxurious. ...

              4/10
              Features
              4/10
              Interior
              4/10
              Design
              4/10
              Safety
              4/10
              Reliability
              4/10
              Deal Value
              8/10
              Dealer Review