The 2013 Buick Enclave is one luxury SUV that second-hand car shoppers should avoid, according to the automotive experts over at Consumer Reports.
The publication, which identified the worst used luxury SUVs to buy in a recent article, claims the 2013 Buick Enclave was a “competitive but not top-scoring three-row SUV when it was new,” and has a number of notable weaknesses, including its “rear visibility, awkward placement of some controls and an unimpressive fuel economy of 15 mpg overall from the 3.6-liter V6 engine.” Its experts also say the six-speed automatic transmission is “hesitant to downshift” and allege that “time has shown these model years also have well below average reliability.”
It didn’t have all bad things to say about the SUV, though. The 2013 Buick Enclave is “pretty agile for such a big vehicle,” CR‘s experts say, and the third-row seat is large enough to accommodate adults. They also applaud the fit and finish as being “excellent,” and welcome the addition of an improved infotainment system for the 2013 model year.
Still, CR believes that anyone looking at potentially picking up a 2013 Buick Enclave would be better off getting something else. One alternative they suggest is the 2013 Acura MDX, which it says has a “responsive” 3.7-liter V6 engine, respectable 18 mpg overall fuel economy rating and “impressive” interior fit and finish. The MDX’s third-row seat is “tight for anyone but kids,” however, so the Enclave could be superior for anyone planning on filling all three rows up with people on a regular basis.
It’s worth pointing out the 2013 Buick Enclave is a previous-generation model and has since been replaced with the second-generation GM C1XX-based version. With a newer GM 3.6L LFY V6 engine and GM nine-speed automatic transmission, among other improvements, a used second-generation Enclave is also a good alternative to a used first-generation model.
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Comments
Consumer Imports never cease to amaze.
Where’s the list?
There is a link right there in the first sentence, but CR paywalls most of their content.
I purchased a brand new 2015 GMC Acadia Denali AWD, which is the same platform as the Buick, and it had horrible gas mileage also; no better than 15 mpg. And at 6800 miles, the AC quit working. I owned it for 9 months and got rid of it; traded it in on a Ford Expedition which was a much more reliable vehicle. Stay away from the first generation of Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia models.
Who believes Cr on list of cars to avoid? If Toyota has a few below Average problems there never on the cars to avoid
I would have been surprised if CR actually recommended ANY domestically branded vehicle, let alone a GM product.
any GM car designed and built during the financial problems were done on the cheap and should be avoided
Consumer Reports has long been a fan of virtually any Japanese car, and only reluctantly will ever spend much time praising any American car.
Anybody who buys a car with a 4,700 pound curb weight and then complains about the gas mileage is a fool.
I’d be interested to see how CR achieved only 15mpg with the Enclave. The EPA rates both the 2013 Enclave and 2013 MDX at 18mpg overall, with the Enclave having higher highway mpg than the MDX.
I’ve driven Enclaves and their sister cars, and my mileage far exceeded what CU reports.
CU has a history of slobbering all over imports or import-make vehicles, regardless how bad. Also, in the past several years, they have gone on consumer protection crusades rather than sticking with testing products. They are also evolving into being social justice warriors. I no longer subscribe.
We have a ’13 Enclave and it’s been flawless. It runs around in the city everyday, and we’ve not had one problem with it. It’s fine on the road and we’ve gotten 21 on the highway. In town it’s about 16. We’ll keep our run around Enclave notwithstanding what CR sez…
if CR needs other gm cars to avoid, just read the comments on this website.
CR has such a h@rd-on for American cars, it’s silly. Honda’s quality (especially Acura) has been suspect lately, as well..with that out of the way, here is my own experience with the Enclave:
I have owned three models: 2008, 2013 and 2019.
The ’08 was a good driving car that had a lot of issues:
Rear A/C replaced, water pump replaced (twice – although I blame the dealer), leaky sunroof, bad power brake booster and a wonky instrument cluster. Everything was covered under warranty, but a lot of problems.
The 2013, on the other hand:
No issues. I ordered it from my Father-in-law without a sunroof to avoid leaks. What a great car. One trip to the dealer. It was a bad engine mount right at 70k. Covered under warranty. we traded it in at 80k miles.
The 2019: 27k miles, no issues.
My take on these cars: The biggest issue is timing chains on the engine. These engines require that an owner keep up with the maintenance. DO NOT buy one of these that shows abuse. Earlier 1st generations are more susceptible to electrical bugs than later ones. I agree with CR on the infotainment. The 2013 mid-cycle refresh cars and subsequent are much more user friendly than the 2012 and previous.
If you are looking at a used one and it has full service history from the dealer showing regular 3k to 5k oil changes, I wouldn’t be too worried about buying one. Get it for the right price and take care of it and it can go deep into the 200k mile range. They are a great family car.
ANY car with a sunroof will leak sooner or later.
keeps the drains clean as my wife’s 2004 impala never leaked and it was traded in 2018
That and use silicone lube regularly on the rubber seals. But how many people do that.
The silicone is important. I use it on the roof panel seals on my Vette.
Had a 2013 fully loaded Enclave. No issues whatsoever. Sold it two weeks ago to Carmax for 18K, with 35K miles. Put that money down on a 2021 Avenir.
I bought new and still own a fwd 2014 enclave which gets 20-21 mpg between nc and la. Quietest car I have ever owned and I am 72. The transmission could use some tweaking and the air conditioning failed, but only needed recharging. My son owns 2 bmw’s and they have had their little things that needed fixing. No such thing as a flawless auto over a seven year span. Get real.
No such thing as an automotive expert at CR!
When CR starts rating American brand autos above average , that’s when i will renew my subscription , until then its still canceled .
Interesting article for me personally. First, I have zero respect for CR and for legit reasons. Second, I’ve sold Buick (along side GMC, Cadillac and Honda) for 12 years and was doing so when the 2008 Enclave was introduced. Third, I am a big fan of Buick overall and have been for a long time. I’ve also owned numerous Buick’s over the years along with many family members, and we have all had great luck with them all. With that said, I wish that I could totally disagree with CR here, but I can’t. I’m not sure on the 2013 specifically, but I’d avoid a 2008 at all costs. What’s more, I’d be inclined to avoid any of the first gen models AND I’d NEVER BUY ONE WITH THE SUNROOF!! I repeat, I’d never buy any year with the sunroof. Not enough space and time here to go into it, but the sunroof design was (maybe still is) flawed and our dealership was forced to replace a lot of them. Problem was that the “new replacement” was exactly the same design. The leaking had nothing to do with blocked drain holes or bad seals. We had tried everything known to mankind with no luck.
To this day because of that experience, I refuse to buy any car with any sunroofs.
If you can get a 2013 Buick Enclave at a good price, you should get it and despite the changes to the second generation; overall performance or mileage between the first and second generation remain relatively the same.
Transmissons are junk 08 to 14 years !timing chains junk!gm won’t stand behind them! No recall
My wife has a 2013 Enclave. We had three issues a few weeks apart from each other at around 50K miles when the car was 5 years old. The power steering pump leaked (not under warranty), a oil leak from the timing chain area (under warranty) and a bad ignition coil (not under warranty). A HID headlight went out a few months after the above. Typical GM experience for me after owning numerous GM vehicles for that last 35 years.
I own a 2008 Enclave and it runs like a champ only problems I have everything that’s Factory on it is starting to wear so I’m starting to replace 12 years later and it still runs good. Richard long as you know your car and you take care of it it’s going to take care of you and the Buick Enclave is definitely the car for me.
I bought a new 2018 Buick Enclave. I have had issues with the transmission since day one. It’s been in and out of the shop numerous times. GM won’t replace the transmission even though I have bumper to bumper 75K warranty. The car has less than 50K miles. Never in my life will I buy another Buick. I’m questioning if I’ll ever by Chevy or GMC again and that’s all I’ve ever owned.
consumer reports once rated the chevrolet prism with the dreaded black circle back when they used red white and black to rate cars, however the corolla which was built on the same assembly line at the summa plant in calif. was given the much favored red circle. apparently consumer distorts didnt know they were the exact same car except for a few cosmetic changes. I have never trusted a very biased c r since and do not read their magazine since that obvious biased comparison
Timing chain job is pretty much a guarantee on this.
Yes it is been there and done that!
I have a 14′ Buick Enclave Premium and it’s been an exceptional vehicle. I get 16mpg in the city and 24 on the hwy. It handles well and the 6A transmision shifts smoothly. I’ll probably purchase a 20′ closeout or a 21′. I have a good friend that had an Acura MDx and the engine blew and he now drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I was a proud owner of a ’13 Enclave. When I traded it, the car had 262k+ miles. I did long road trips AND a lot of city driving. VERY few issues with the car, all minor. I fully intended to get the 2020 Enclave, but the changes that were made were awful. I ended up with a ’20 Kia Sorento. As soon as I drove it, I was thrilled. It’s like my old Enclave only even better. Lots of extras, great warranty, great price. I’m definitely a happy customer.
C’mon , who are you trying to kid? Nobody is going from an Enclave to a p.o.s. KIA. Tokyo Rose has been around for a long time. The Korean car trolls need to step up their game.
I wouldn’t be bragging about GM’s, or anyone’s 9-speed transmission, not one automaker has figured out how to make them shift without feeling like your vehicle is being rear ended by a semi.
It has been my experience that if CR says to avoid something, it is very good indeed. I’ve begun to do the opposite of their recommendations and could not be happier with the purchases. And so do most people I know.