2014 Buick Enclave Leather on 2040-cars

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2013 Buick Enclave

GM's Flagship Lambda Is (Still) A Smooth Operator
Consumers shopping for a domestic full-size crossover have heard all about GM's triplets. The Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are a very appealing and talented group of siblings. Entering their fifth year of production, albeit middle-age in the automotive industry, each is attractive, well-rounded and very capable on the paved dance floor. While all share nearly identical base DNA and the same basic running gear, subtle physical differences and unique personalities emerge between the trio when one digs a bit deeper.
The most polished of the threesome, without question, is the Enclave from Buick. Fresh off a mid-cycle update (as are its siblings), the flagship of the platform boasts a facelift, innovative new features and an upgraded demeanor for the new model year.

Junkyard Gem: 1990 Buick Reatta Coupe

During the 1980s, General Motors worked hard to woo back American car shoppers who had defected to European luxury brands. Swanky interiors, futuristic electronics and Europe-influenced styling found their way into quite a few GM models during the second half of the decade. Pontiac had the 6000 STE, Oldsmobile offered the Toronado Trofeo, Cadillac sold the Turin-Hamtramck-built Allante, and Buick produced the sporty Reatta two-seater. Just under 22,000 Reattas were built during the 1988 through 1991 model years, and today's Junkyard Find is the fifth example I've found during my junkyard travels. The Reatta was the most expensive 1990 Buick, priced at $28,335 for the coupe and $34,995 for the convertible (or about $65,895 and $81,380 in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars).  For that kind of money, American car shoppers in 1990 could get a BMW 325i in coupe or convertible form for $24,650 or $33,850. They could get a Saab 900 Turbo convertible for $32,995 or an Audi Coupe Quattro for $29,750. Each of those European competitors had sophisticated overhead-cam engines and grippy suspensions, but the Reatta was built on a shortened version of the chassis that went under the Barcalounger-esque Buick Riviera and its engine was the old-timey pushrod Buick V6. The 3.8-liter Buick V6 had been made quite reliable and acceptably smooth by the time this car was built, and it made 165 horsepower (just three fewer than the BMW 325i), but Buick salesmen didn't have much to brag about when showing this engine compartment to a 35-year-old youngster who had just driven a Saab 900 Turbo. The antiquated engine was problem enough, but the lack of a manual transmission served to chase off additional potential buyers. A four-speed automatic was mandatory in every Reatta. Just in case some traditional (i.e. Greatest Generation members) Buick customers might consider this glamorous two-seater, Buick scared them off with the Reatta's video-game-style digital dash and its way-ahead-of-its-time Graphics Control Center touchscreen interface. You can't win! The Graphics Control Center hardware has been grabbed from this dash (the components also fit optioned-up Rivieras and Trofeos of the same era, so junkyard shoppers pull them for resale). Naturally, a Reatta owner would want a hardwired car phone. If you really wanted to be cool in the early 1990s, you bought a Chrysler product with the amazing VisorPhone.

2020 Buick LaCrosse images leaked on Chinese website

Buick is planning a refreshed version of its LaCrosse full-size sedan for the Chinese market, judging by these photos discovered by the site Auto Verdict on a Chinese government site used to certify upcoming new models. We can only see exterior cosmetic changes, but they bring the LaCrosse more in line with the styling of the new Regal and Enclave models, leading to speculation that it won't be long until the changes show up in the U.S. The front three-quarters photo shows off a redesigned front fascia, with slimmed-down headlights that are now tied to the grille instead of set apart by body-color surround, thanks to some new chrome treatment. There's also a chrome wing on the grille, similar to what's seen on the 2019 Enclave and new Regal. The lower front fascia is also different, with new L-shaped fog lamps. On the rear, there's a new chrome wing connecting and intersecting the taillights and surrounding the badge. There's no word about any interior changes, but they'd likely be minor in keeping with the exterior updates. Buick most recently debuted a 2019 LaCrosse Sport Touring version, while a mild hybrid model arrived for 2018. China, of course, has become Buick's largest market, but the picture is less rosy stateside amid dimming prospects for sedans, as consumers flock to crossovers and SUVs. In the third quarter, U.S. sales of the LaCrosse fell 31.1 percent from the prior-year period. Between January and the end of September, GM had sold 13,409, which was a decline of 14.2 percent. Its full-year 2017 sales totaled 20,161, which was down almost 27 percent from 2016. For perspective, Buick sold more than twice that number — 42,035 — as recently as 2015. The current generation launched in 2017. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2020 Buick LaCrosse China Image Credit: Buick Design/Style Buick Luxury Sedan