2013 Buick Enclave Premium Group review notes

The 2013 Buick Enclave Premium lacks in the horsepower department even for daily driving.

What a difference some interior upgrades make. The Enclave has been a nice enough seven-passenger utility since it launched, but this 2013 Buick Enclave Premium Group adds loads of stitching, soft-touch materials, ambient lighting and other luxury touches that really put it in a class above where it previously played. That’s probably appropriate, considering the $52,000 sticker price puts it in a different league, too, but the Enclave doesn’t leave one wanting for much, at least as far as amenities and technology go.

The 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic feel positively overwhelmed by two-and-a-half tons of Enclave, more so than I’ve experienced in Traverse and Acadia models (fundamentally the same vehicle). Is it Buick’s shift or throttle programming? Hard to say, but this thing desperately needs a turbocharger or a couple extra cylinders. Or a diesel (yeah, I had to go there). It works too hard during steady-state cruising and is a flat-out pig when accelerating.

The base price for the 2013 Buick Enclave Premium comes in around $48,450. Our tester ran $52,090.

Still, the 2013 Enclave shows what GM is capable of when it decides to make a product truly competitive. The interior gives up nothing to its competitors, and if the horsepower deficit is fixed it’s an enjoyable driver among three-row crossovers, too. 

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I have said before these Lambda SUVs (Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, this Enclave) are getting a little long in the tooth. And by that I mean they drive somewhat like a minivan -- soft and a little wallowy. Of course, they don’t have the minivan body and all the negative vibes that seems to bring for some shoppers. Meanwhile this is a nice enough upgrade, especially inside. I’ll get back to that in a second.

Andy’s right about the lack of power and some engine noise when you accelerate from stops. Once cruising, the driving experience is smooth and really quiet. What Buick calls quiet tuning works. There’s double-laminated glass, triple-sealed doors and heaps of sound-deadening material. 

The interior is a huge improvement and just plain huge while I’m at it. I never had a problem with Lambda interior design, but have said before the materials could use an upgrade, especially in a truck costing this much. This checks that box with first-rate materials that are well assembled. It’s a comfortable place to spend time for sure. 

Our 2013 Buick Enclave Premium was upgraded with the rear entertainment center, touch navigation and a power second-row skylight.

About that price: Every time I drive one of these Lambdas I think about the Mazda CX-9 and its even bigger third-row, which pretty much tops out -- with all-wheel drive -- at almost $10k less than this Buick.

Maybe Buick buyers wouldn’t be tempted by that. Maybe they don’t cross shop with Mazda. I don’t know. But I’ll bet Chevrolet Traverse buyers would …

2013 Buick Enclave Premium Group

Base Price: $48,450

As-Tested Price: $52,090

Drivetrain: 3.6-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 288 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm

Curb Weight: 4,922 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 16/22/18 mpg

AW Observed Fuel Economy: 15.6 mpg

Options: Rear entertainment and touch navigation including XM NavTraffic ($2,240); power sunroof including second row skylight ($1,400)