2013 Buick Enclave Makes Consumer Reports’ List Of Used Luxury SUVs To Avoid
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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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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.