Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Styling Showdown: 2012 vs. 2013 Buick Enclave

2008-2013-buick-enclave-front-three-quarters
"Posted June 11 2012 02:59 PM by Edward A. Sanchez

Long Regarded as the most attractive of General Motors' Lambda variants, the Buick Enclave gets a mild makeover for 2013 to bring its look more in-step with the brands newer offerings, such as the Regal, Verano and LaCrosse sedans. Compared to the styling changes for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, the Enclave's changes are much more subtle.


2009-Buick-Enclave-rear-three-quarter

As seems to be all the rage lately, the 2013 Enclave gets LED driving lights, in addition to standard HID headlights in sharper slightly more aggressive "cat eye"-shaped housings. LEDs also light up the subtly-updated taillights as well. The front grille is larger and more prominent, complementing the grille and other front-end changes. Finally, Buick's signature "VentiPorts" are moved from a lateral position among the hood crease to the top of the hood, for a cleaner, more contemporary look. Although from a pure functionality perspective, we wonder if they're needed at all.

2013-Buick-Enclave-rear-three-quarter

Moving around to the rear, the taillights get the aforementioned LED treatment, as well as getting a thinner chrome accent surround, and rectangular reverse lights replacing the previous round inset design. Finally, the 2012's oval exhaust tips are supplanted by integrated rectangular outlets in the bumper.

2008-Buick-Enclave-headlight-closeup

The interior of the 2013 model carries over many of the themes of the 2012, including the semi-circular center console shape with the climate vents and analog clock, but tones down the woodgrain accent trim, moving it from front-and-center on the dashboard to a broad, sweeping swath that goes from the upper part of the door panels to a thin strip sweeping across the top of the dashboard, following a integrated blue LED light accent strip.

2013-Buick-Enclave-headlight-closeup

Finally, the touchscreen interface is updated with GM's new IntelliLink interface and knob controls replacing last year's buttons for climate control.

Are the changes to the 2013 Enclave and improvement, or unnecessary meddling to the style of what was arguably one of Buick's best-looking models to begin with?"

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