The Buick Enclave has carved a significant niche for itself in the crowded mid-size luxury SUV market. Initially launched in 2008, the Enclave has continually evolved, offering a compelling combination of practicality, luxury, and technology. It serves as a bridge between mainstream family SUVs and high-end luxury crossovers, providing a comfortable and stylish ride without the exorbitant costs associated with premium European brands like Mercedes-Benz or Audi. Positioned as Buick’s flagship SUV, the Enclave caters to families and individuals seeking a balance between spaciousness, advanced features, and overall value.
Buick designed the Enclave to be a versatile vehicle that could meet the needs of growing families while delivering an upscale driving experience. It boasts a powerful V6 engine, a quiet and refined cabin, and a host of advanced safety features. The Enclave competes in a segment that includes other luxury mid-size SUVs like the Acura MDX, Lincoln Aviator, and Volvo XC90. Yet, despite its numerous strengths, the Buick Enclave is not without its shortcomings. Issues such as mediocre fuel economy, slightly outdated interior design, and handling that leans more toward comfort than sportiness can make some buyers hesitate.
In this article, we’ll explore the detailed pros and cons of the Buick Enclave to help you make an informed decision. We’ll delve into 12 advantages that make the Enclave a strong contender in its class, as well as 9 areas where it falls short. Whether you’re a family looking for a spacious and comfortable ride or an individual wanting a luxury SUV without the premium price tag, this comprehensive guide will help you decide if the Buick Enclave fits your needs.
Pros Of The Buick Enclave
1. Spacious Interior And Cargo Capacity
One of the most compelling reasons to consider the Buick Enclave is its cavernous interior. With seating for up to seven passengers across three rows, the Enclave offers a more spacious third-row than many competitors. While some mid-size SUVs only provide sufficient space for children in the rear, the Enclave allows adults to sit comfortably in all rows. The second-row captain’s chairs further enhance the experience by giving rear-seat passengers ample room and making it easier to access the third row.
In terms of cargo, the Enclave doesn’t disappoint. It offers 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet when the third row is folded down, and an impressive 97.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat. This flexibility makes the Enclave ideal for families who need extra space for groceries, sports equipment, or luggage during long road trips.
2. QuietTuning Technology
Buick has long been known for its focus on comfort and quietness, and the Enclave embodies this ethos perfectly. The vehicle’s QuietTuning technology uses triple door seals, acoustic laminated glass, and active noise cancellation to significantly reduce road and wind noise. This results in an exceptionally serene cabin, even at highway speeds, making the Enclave one of the quietest vehicles in its class.
For drivers who spend a lot of time on the road, this feature is particularly valuable. It enhances the overall driving experience by allowing conversations to flow naturally, reducing fatigue during long journeys, and letting you fully appreciate the premium audio system available in higher trims.
3. Premium Interior Materials And Comfort
The Buick Enclave’s interior is designed with luxury in mind, featuring soft-touch materials throughout the cabin, available leather upholstery, and tastefully applied wood and metallic accents. The higher trims, such as the Avenir, offer even more opulent touches like quilted leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and real wood trim. The materials feel upscale and are durable enough to handle the wear and tear of family life.
The seats are plush and supportive, especially in the first two rows. Heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, come standard in many trims, ensuring comfort in various weather conditions. These details create a luxurious environment that stands out, particularly when considering the Enclave’s competitive price in the luxury SUV market.
4. Comprehensive Safety Features
Buick places a strong emphasis on safety, equipping the Enclave with an impressive array of advanced safety technologies. The Buick Driver Confidence Plus package is standard across all trims, providing features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, forward collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. These features are designed to prevent accidents and make the driving experience safer for you and your passengers.
Additionally, higher trims offer more advanced safety options, such as adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. These technologies provide enhanced visibility and control, especially when driving in heavy traffic or parking in tight spaces. The Enclave also received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), adding peace of mind for families.
5. Smooth And Comfortable Ride Quality
The Buick Enclave is engineered for comfort rather than sportiness, and it excels in this regard. Its suspension is tuned to soak up bumps and imperfections in the road, providing a smooth, almost pillow-like ride. Whether you’re driving in the city or on the highway, the Enclave maintains a refined composure, isolating passengers from most road disturbances.
This smooth ride quality makes the Enclave ideal for long-distance travel or daily commutes in areas with less-than-perfect road conditions. The electric power steering is light and easy, contributing to the overall ease of driving, though it may not offer the sharp handling some drivers prefer. Still, for those who prioritize comfort over sporty driving dynamics, the Enclave is a standout option.
6. Intuitive Infotainment System
The Buick Enclave comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is both responsive and easy to use. The system features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, ensuring that passengers can stay connected and entertained during trips. The user interface is straightforward, with large, easy-to-read icons and minimal lag between commands.
Additionally, the system supports voice commands, making it easier to operate while driving. For those who want to upgrade their audio experience, the available 10-speaker Bose sound system provides crisp, clear sound. Wireless charging and multiple USB ports across all three rows ensure that everyone’s devices stay powered up.
7. Towing Capability
The Buick Enclave’s towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, when properly equipped, is another strong selling point. This makes the Enclave capable of towing small boats, trailers, or camper vans, which is ideal for families who enjoy outdoor activities or vacations. This towing capability, combined with its spacious cargo area, adds to the Enclave’s versatility, making it a practical choice for active families.
8. Optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
While front-wheel drive is standard, the Buick Enclave offers an optional all-wheel-drive system that enhances performance in poor weather conditions. AWD provides better traction on slippery surfaces, such as snow or rain-soaked roads, improving safety in inclement weather. Although the Enclave is not designed for serious off-roading, the AWD system does give it a bit more versatility when driving on gravel or dirt roads.
9. Rear Seat Reminder
The Buick Enclave is equipped with a unique Rear Seat Reminder system that helps prevent leaving children or pets in the back seats. It works by activating when the rear doors are opened and closed during the trip. Once the driver turns off the vehicle, an alert reminds them to check the rear seats. This thoughtful feature is particularly beneficial for families, adding an extra layer of safety and peace of mind.
10. Luxurious Avenir Trim Level
The Avenir trim is the pinnacle of luxury in the Buick Enclave lineup. It includes exclusive design touches, such as a unique mesh grille, chrome accents, and premium 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Avenir trim boasts luxurious quilted leather upholstery, a dual-panel sunroof, and wood accents. The Avenir also comes with every available advanced safety feature, including adaptive cruise control and the surround-view camera system.
For buyers who want a luxury experience without paying top-tier luxury prices, the Avenir trim is an excellent choice. It rivals competitors from more expensive brands like Volvo and Lincoln in terms of materials and technology, making it a standout option in the mid-size luxury SUV segment.
11. Reliability And Warranty
Buick has a solid reputation for building reliable vehicles, and the Enclave is no exception. Over the years, the Enclave has demonstrated good long-term dependability, with many owners reporting few significant issues. Buick offers a powertrain warranty that covers six years or 70,000 miles, along with a bumper-to-bumper warranty for four years or 50,000 miles. This level of coverage provides buyers with additional peace of mind.
12. Value For A Luxury SUV
Despite being classified as a luxury vehicle, the Buick Enclave offers a lot of value for the price. While many luxury SUVs come with hefty price tags, the Enclave provides many of the same premium features—spacious interiors, advanced technology, and upscale materials—at a more affordable cost. For buyers looking for a luxury SUV that delivers without breaking the bank, the Enclave offers an appealing combination of features and value.
Cons Of The Buick Enclave
1. Mediocre Fuel Economy
One of the most noticeable downsides of the Buick Enclave is its fuel efficiency. Powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, the Enclave achieves an EPA-rated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. If you opt for the all-wheel-drive model, those numbers drop slightly. While this fuel economy is typical for a V6 engine in this segment, it lags behind hybrid or turbocharged four-cylinder options offered by competitors.
For environmentally conscious buyers or those looking to save on fuel costs, the Enclave’s fuel efficiency could be a significant drawback, especially for long commutes or frequent city driving.
2. Large Size Hinders Maneuverability
The Enclave’s large size contributes to its spacious interior, but it also presents challenges when driving in tight spaces. Maneuvering in narrow city streets, tight parking garages, or busy urban areas can be difficult due to its bulk. Additionally, parking this sizable SUV can be challenging for drivers who are not used to handling larger vehicles.
For those who frequently navigate through urban environments, the Enclave’s size might be seen as a hindrance rather than an asset.
3. Uninspiring Handling
The Buick Enclave prioritizes comfort over sportiness, and this is evident in its handling. While the ride is smooth and refined, the steering feels light, and the handling can be unresponsive, particularly during sharp turns or on winding roads. For drivers who enjoy a more engaging driving experience, the Enclave might feel a bit dull compared to sportier SUVs like the Acura MDX or BMW X5.
4. Limited Off-Road Capabilities
Although the Enclave offers an all-wheel-drive option, it’s not designed for off-road adventures. The vehicle lacks specialized off-road features like hill descent control or advanced terrain management systems. Its ground clearance is also lower than more off-road-focused SUVs, making it unsuitable for rugged terrain. For buyers looking for an SUV with off-road capabilities, there are better options in the market.
5. Outdated Transmission Performance
The Enclave’s nine-speed automatic transmission is generally smooth, but there are reports of occasional sluggishness or hesitation during gear changes. In certain driving conditions, the transmission can feel slow to respond, which impacts both performance and fuel economy. While this isn’t a dealbreaker for most drivers, it can be a frustration for those who expect seamless shifting.
6. Conservative Interior Styling
While the Buick Enclave’s interior materials are of high quality, its overall design is more conservative compared to some of its competitors. SUVs like the Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7 offer more visually striking interiors with cutting-edge designs and innovative technology. For buyers who prioritize a modern, futuristic aesthetic, the Enclave’s traditional styling may feel a bit outdated.
7. Smaller Infotainment Screen Compared To Competitors
The Buick Enclave’s 8-inch infotainment screen, while functional, is smaller than what some of its competitors offer. Many luxury SUVs now come with larger screens—10 inches or more—offering a more immersive and tech-savvy experience. For buyers who are used to larger displays in their vehicles or who enjoy more screen real estate for navigation and media, the Enclave’s system may feel a bit lacking.
8. Lack Of Engine Options
Unlike some competitors that offer a range of powertrain choices—including turbocharged four-cylinder engines or hybrid variants—the Buick Enclave only comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine. While this engine is powerful enough for most situations, the lack of options may deter buyers who want more flexibility in terms of performance or fuel efficiency.
9. Higher Trims Can Get Pricey
While the base model of the Buick Enclave offers excellent value, the price increases significantly as you move up the trim levels. The fully loaded Avenir trim, with all the bells and whistles, approaches the pricing of premium luxury SUVs from European brands. For budget-conscious buyers, the higher trims may feel too expensive when compared to competitors offering similar features at a lower cost.
Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Luxury SUV with Room for Improvement
The Buick Enclave offers a lot of advantages for families and individuals seeking a spacious, comfortable, and luxurious mid-size SUV. Its strong points include a spacious interior, quiet cabin, high-quality materials, advanced safety features, and solid towing capacity. Buick’s attention to comfort and convenience makes the Enclave a top choice for long road trips and daily commutes alike.
However, the Enclave also has its drawbacks. Fuel economy is not its strongest suit, and its large size can make it unwieldy in urban settings. For drivers who prioritize handling dynamics, cutting-edge interior design, or advanced powertrain options, the Enclave may fall short compared to competitors. Despite these cons, the Buick Enclave remains a solid choice for those seeking a well-rounded luxury SUV without the premium price tag.
Ultimately, the Buick Enclave is a practical, family-friendly vehicle that excels in comfort, safety, and space, making it a good fit for buyers who value those attributes above all else.