Buick Tweaks Two Hot-Selling Rides: The 2013 Enclave and The 2013 Verano Turbo

Michael Burton, Buick's Global Interior Designer, (l) and Dan Hubert, Buick's Global Exterior Designer (r), with 2013 Buick Enclave and 2013 Buick Verano.

Buick’s Highlights:

Just a few years ago, when GM had to decide which brands to ax and which ones to keep afloat, many Americans believed the Buick brand should have been cut, while holding onto the Pontiac brand. Thank God the folks at GM ignored their critics. Buick has been a hit abroad, more specifically in China and GM knew the same thing cold happen here again with the right products. Seeing that Buick sales has been faltering in America since hitting its peak in the early eighties, the Lexus-like Buick Enclave helped to revive the brand in 2007.

Buick Enclave History:

The Buick Enclave was a hit with the once stodgy brand immediately upon hitting the market in 2007. The seven-passenger luxury crossover was playing in the same league as the Lexus RX, except in this case the Enclave included third-row seating. Sales of the Enclave have almost doubled, since hitting the market in 2007. In fact, last year, the Enclave finished strong with close to 59,000 sales. This is due mainly to four factors: styling, reliability, pricing and the luxury content.

In order to continue the success of the Enclave, which is also the best-selling three row luxury crossover in its segment, when compared to the Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and Lincoln MKT.

Buick Enclave Changes for 2013

For 2013, the Enclave receives its first mid-cycle refresh. The luxury crossover now includes Buicks’s signature waterfall grille, LED daytime articulating headlights, electronic blind spot mirrors, LED taillights, a rearview camera with cross-traffic alert, which alerts the driver of objects in its path before backing-up. Inside the vehicle, the Enclave now offers an industry-first front center airbag, which offers additional safety in case of an accident. Also the instrument panel has been reworked, too, offering more wood, more chrome all while adding a place to house the back up camera and an all-new IntelliLink infotainment system, which provides hands-free activation for a Bluetooth phone, along with hands-free radio control for radio searches, too. The vehicle still lacks a push-button keyless starter unlike many of its competitors. And the vehicle continues to offer the ride and handling we’ve come to expect with Buick’s QuietTuning suspension system. 
  

Pricing for Enclave:

Pricing for the 2013 base model Enclave has increased by approximately $2,000 from 2012 to a starting price of $39,270. This is still thousands less than many of its competitors, but right in line with the Volvo.

Buick Verano Turbo (The Brand’s Latest Addition)

In addition to the successful Buick Enclave, which is considered the seven (or eight) passenger luxury people hauler for the brand, the Verano Turbo, is considered as the luxury compact for Buick or the premium entry-level vehicle for the brand. Since joining the Buick brand earlier this year, the Verano has had ten month of consecutive growth, with close to 30,000 being sold so far. The Verano turbo is the latest addition to the 2013 line up, adding 70 more horses than the non turbo model, bringing it to 250 horses. In fact, this is the most in the segment now. The spirited turbo is available in either a manual or automatic configuration, as a no cost option with 18-inch wheels. Pricing for the turbo starts out the gate at just under $30,000.  A sunroof and a navigation system, which should be standard, and an upgraded audio system will drive up the cost of this luxury compact. The Verano turbo is available in three optional colors: red, white or black. And like with Enclave, the IntelliLink system is standard on the Verano, too.

Standard Features of Verano Turbo:

In addition to its 2.0L engine, dual exhaust, sport pedals and rear spoiler, standard equipment for the Verano, a Bose 9-speaker audio system, leather-appointed upholstery, push-button starter, rear park assist and rearview camera, radar-based side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. 

Verano’s Competition:

The Verano competes against the Audi A3, Acura ILX and the Lexus IS 250 sedan. The Verano is actually the top-selling vehicle in the compact crossover segment, offering the most horsepower.

Ironically, as it relates to the price, the Audi A3 equipped with a manual transmission and an the optional sunroof along with the Bluetooth package, which includes a power driver seats, Bluetooth compatibility and a leather steering wheel is still a few hundred dollars less than the base model Verano Turbo, without the sunroof. 

And the high-end Acura ILCX is equipped with both a nav system and a sunroof for less than the Verano, with spirited driving, too. The competitors also offer a non gasoline turbo models, unlike the Verano. The A3 is available in a diesel, while the Acura ILX is available as a hybrid.

Buick is making great strides to to making this world-class brand again, matching the offerings being put forth by Lexus and Audi.

An Interview with Buick's Global Director of Interior, Michael Burton