Crash Protection for Eight: Buick Enclave Earns NHTSA Five-Star Safety Rating

Raynham, 03/22/2013 / SubmitMyPR /

With room for up to eight passengers, the refreshed 2013 Buick Enclave can leave drivers responsible for a lot of precious cargo, but they can all breathe easy following the latest round of crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The government agency recently gave the Enclave its top five-star Overall Vehicle Score in its New Car Assessment Program. Featuring a new industry-first front-center airbag that deploys between the front seats, the latest Enclave offers greater protection during far-side impacts.

To earn a five-star rating from the NHTSA, a vehicle must score well in a range of tests, including a frontal crash test, a side-barrier crash test and a new side-pole crash test. The Buick Enclave's top score indicates that the risk of injury in a crash is much lower for its occupants than the industry average, but the vehicle's airbags and reinforced chassis only make up a portion of its comprehensive safety design. Buick engineers also outfitted the Enclave with active safety equipment to help drivers avoid accidents in the first place, including the available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems.

"Buick vehicles are more than luxurious, they're also incredibly safe thanks to their advanced chassis designs and innovative technology, including the front-center airbag in the Enclave," said Gary Carter, general sales manager of Mastria Buick GMC Cadillac, a Massachusetts Buick dealer near Boston. "Our customers want to feel safe out on the road, whether they're alone or with the whole family and then some, and the Enclave lets them drive with confidence."

Updated for the 2013 model year, the new Enclave received more than just the latest safety technology, with stylists revamping the exterior to create a cohesive, sophisticated look that is punctuated by a prominent chrome grille and swept-back headlights. Buick also added more standard equipment to the already tech-laden crossover, including Rear Parking Assist, a Rear Vision Camera, a power liftgate and the IntelliLink connectivity system, which displays important information on a seven-inch color display in the dash.

The changes to the 2013 Enclave have struck a chord with consumers, who have turned to the model in record numbers. Year-over-year sales of the crossover SUV have been on the rise for five straight months, punctuated by the vehicle's best-ever February. Totaling 5,241 units, Enclave sales were up 26 percent last month compared to February 2012, and they have now increased by 39 percent year-to-date. The Enclave's performance helped the overall Buick lineup earn its best February retail sales since 2004, with a 13 percent increase year-over-year.

"Buick has done an amazing job refreshing its lineup with bold style, new technology and attractive pricing that are proving popular both with fans of the brand and with those who haven't considered a Buick before," added Carter. "The conquest sales are especially important in the increasingly competitive car market, and they prove that Buick is hitting all the right marks."

About Mastria Buick GMC Cadillac:
Serving Massachusetts car buyers for more than 50 years, Mastria Buick GMC Cadillac has earned a reputation for top-notch service and satisfied customers. With a wide selection of models like the Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave and GMC Sierra pickup truck, Mastria Buick GMC Cadillac has the vehicles shoppers want, as well as the skilled service staff needed to keep their cars, trucks and SUVs running like new for years to come. Stop by their dealership at 1525 New State Highway in Raynham, Massachusetts, browse their inventory online at www.mastriamotors.com, find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MastriaBuickGMC, or call them at 800-821-1998 today.