The Buick Enclave is a crossover sports utility with the extra luxuries on the inside that you would expect from Buick. This vehicle takes its unibody design from GM's Lambda-platform and its drive train from the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia, when these are put together with the unique and plush interior designs from Buick you end up with a wonderful mixture of class, style and rugged design that is built to last. The Enclave is a very smooth ride and is one of Buicks most popular models in the SUV class.
The Buick Enclave was a real hit with buyers once it was released. The smooth exterior design and sharp lines of the body make it one of the more attractive crossover vehicles and the interior offers much more class and real world usable features then many other similar crossovers. This vehicle brought Buick back from a long time slump and made way for the Regal to be introduced back into the consumer market along with the brand new LaCrosse.
The Enclave comes in two different sizes that will accommodate either 7 or 8 passengers and there are 2 wheel drive and all wheel dive options too.
The Range
Bodystyle: Crossover SUV
Engines: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Models: CX, CXL-1, CLX-2
What's New
A new nine-spoke chrome-clad 19-inch aluminum wheel replaces a seven-spoke design, optional on CXL-1 and CLX-2. New paint colors are Cyber Gray Metallic, Dark Ming Blue and Gray Green Metallic. Buick plans to simplify its trim levels, which means the base CX model may soon be discontinued. Meanwhile, a new high-feature Acadia Denali competes with the Enclave in Buick-GMC dealers.
Exterior
After years of attempting modern interpretations of classic early 1950s Buick grilles on concepts and production cars, the Enclave finally got the look right. Enclave's flowing, graceful lines set the tone for Buick's design renaissance.
Interior
While the CX has cloth seats, perforated leather is standard in both CXLs. The Enclave features rich tones and materials, elevating the model's elegance above many other GM models and some of the Enclave's competitors.
Performance & Handling
With added noise cancellation, acoustic-laminated windshield, laminated front door safety glass and triple door seals, Enclave cossets passengers. Its ride is smooth and supple, and handling is pretty good for such a large, plush crossover. Its direct-injection V-6 provides 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque and towing capacity is 5300 pounds. Drivers will have trouble reaching EPA fuel economy numbers, however.
Safety
StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, a rollover sensing system, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, tire pressure monitoring and traction control are standard on the Enclave. Enclave's six airbags include two side curtains that cover all three rows.
EPA Fuel Economy
FWD: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway
AWD: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway
You'll Like
- Styling
- Elegant interior
- Spaciousness
- Cargo space
- Quiet ride
You Won't Like
- Weight strains V-6
- Parking it
Sum Up
Sign of better Buicks ahead
If You Like This Vehicle
- Lincoln MKT
- Acura MDX
- Volvo XC90
- Audi Q7
- GMC Acadia Denali