Buick has been on the upswing the past few years, introducing new models that are much more desirable than the so-so products of the past. When it debuted, the Buick Enclave was one of the first vehicles to set Buick in the right direction. The Enclave shares a platform with GM's latest group of large crossovers and features an upscale interior, a powerful 3.6-liter V6 and plenty of room for both passengers and cargo. For a new or used large luxury crossover SUV, the Enclave is one of the better choices available.
Current Buick Enclave
A full-size crossover SUV, the Buick Enclave sports a number of family-friendly features, such as a roomy cabin with easily accessed and adult-friendly third-row seats. There are four trim levels: base, Convenience, Leather and Premium, all with standard seven-passenger seating. An available second-row bench seat increases capacity to eight. For power, the Enclave has a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard. All-wheel drive is optional.
The well-equipped base Enclave comes with 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and OnStar. The Convenience adds remote start, rear park assist and a rearview camera. The Leather adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power passenger seat and driver memory settings. The Premium trim level features chrome-clad wheels, active headlights, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, ventilated front seats and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Option highlights include a navigation system, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a dual-panel sunroof.
The Buick Enclave's interior is quite nice, with a gently curving dash, rich-looking wood-grain inlays and soft, double-stitched leather. Adding interest are a Tiffany-style analog clock and aqua blue instrumentation. With such roomy accommodations, most will probably overlook a few lower-quality trim pieces and some minor, overly complicated controls. Access to the third row is excellent, with second-row seats that tilt and slide out of the way, and there are a useful 19 cubic feet of space behind the upright third-row seat.
In our reviews, we've found the Buick Enclave's V6 provides quick acceleration, along with a mildly sporty exhaust note. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. On the highway, the Enclave is quiet and smooth-riding, though some buyers may find that the optional 20-inch wheels degrade the ride noticeably. Overall handling is competent and predictable, though not necessarily the equal of its more driver-oriented rivals.
Used Buick Enclave Models
The Buick Enclave debuted for the 2008 model year. For that year, the V6 had a lower output of 275 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. The following year welcomed the direct-injection 3.6-liter V6 (power increased to 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque) as well as other upgrades that included Bluetooth connectivity and a traffic feature for the navigation system. Until 2010, there were just two trim levels ? base CX and luxury CXL. Also, for the first two model years the transmission could be lazy to downshift due to its fuel-economy-biased programming. For 2010, the transmission was reprogrammed for quicker response. Two years later, the Enclave's trim levels were revised, resulting in more descriptive base, Convenience, Leather and Premium trims.
