2019 Buick Enclave Review

Name: 2019 Buick Enclave Review
Brand: Buick
Rating: 3.4 (41 reviews)

Price Range: $11,999 - $29,998

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Appraise My 2019 Buick Enclave

Buick Enclave model years

Buick Enclave for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Calvin Kim^{Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.}

Pros

Generous room for passengers in all three rows
Quiet and smooth ride quality
Plenty of standard features

Cons

Some advanced safety features only available on the top trim level

What's new

No major changes for 2019
New front-wheel-drive-only Preferred trim slots below Essence
Part of the second Enclave generation introduced for 2018

The 2019 Buick Enclave carries over from the redesigned 2018 model with only minor trim and options updates, and that's a good thing. We like the Enclave's long list of standard features and its high level of in-car technology. You can choose from either front- or all-wheel-drive versions of all trims, except for the new front-wheel-drive-only Preferred.

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Stock photo^**
2019 Buick Enclave
Essence 4dr SUV
Not Priced
- 81,786 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, rental vehicle
- 7 Seats, 17 City / 25 Hwy MPG
- Dave Kehl Chevrolet (37 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Mechanicsburg, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (17 City/25 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5GAEVAKW9KJ238569
Stock: 25548A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-11-2025
Stock photo^**
2019 Buick Enclave
Essence 4dr SUV
Not Priced
- 93,107 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 18 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- Dave Kehl Chevrolet (37 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Mechanicsburg, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5GAERBKW2KJ214057
Stock: 6738A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-28-2025

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Whichever version you get, know that you'll have a quiet and comfortable cabin that can seat up to seven passengers. The Enclave is one of the biggest SUVs in its class, in fact, and seat comfort and roominess are two of its strong points. Folding down both the second- and third-row seats provides up to 97.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Equally big is the Enclave's corporate sibling, the Chevrolet Traverse. Besides styling, the main reason to get the Enclave is its considerably higher number of standard features. Even the base Enclave comes with keyless entry and push-button start, a hands-free liftgate, and excellent standard infotainment technology that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

The Enclave doesn't have the road-hugging chops like some of its European rivals, and it's not the least expensive in the segment. But if a comfortable highway ride, a roomy interior and getting lots of features are priorities, take a look at the 2019 Buick Enclave.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

The Buick Enclave offers copious passenger and cargo space along with a touch of luxury. It doesn't have the road-hugging chops like some of its European rivals. But if smartphone connectivity features, comfortable highway ride, and roomy interior are priorities, take a look at the Enclave.

Trim tested

Edmunds has not yet driven any version of this vehicle, but we have experience with the related Chevrolet Traverse. The following is our take on what's significant about the Enclave and what you can expect.

Driving

The V6 provides a nice bit of thrust off the line when you put your foot down, but it tapers off at higher rpm. Expect a 0-60 mph sprint of about 7 seconds, which would be an average time for a three-row SUV. Handling capability should be similarly class-average.

Comfort

Active noise canceling reduces extraneous wind, road and powertrain noise. Automatic three-zone climate control is standard. And all trims aside from the base benefit from an air ionizer. The available adaptive suspension should further help smooth out the ride.

Interior

Buick's seven-seat configuration should provide ample room for second-row and third-row passengers. Getting in and out is facilitated by a tilt-up second-row seat that can provide quick access to the third row, even with a child safety seat installed.

Utility

With all rear seats folded down, you have a huge load floor. Standard roof rails can handle optional crossbars to load bulky and large items on the roof. Maximum cargo space is a healthy 97.6 cubic feet.

Technology

Smartphone integration is standard, but advanced driver assist functions are only available in higher trim vehicles. The Essence and the Premium can be optioned with a Bose speaker system, and the Avenir can be equipped with adaptive cruise control.

Compare 2019 Buick Enclave trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2019 Buick Enclave models

The 2019 Buick Enclave is available in four trims. They all use the same 3.6-liter V6 engine (302 horsepower, 260 pound-feet) and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Preferred is available only in front-wheel drive; the remaining trims are available in front- or all-wheel drive. The Essence features additional safety and comfort tech, while the Premium trim adds more luxury and safety amenities. At the top, the Avenir promises tech, safety and comfort features on par with what's offered in the best luxury crossovers. All Enclaves have seating for seven.

Even in base Preferred trim, the Enclave comes with features that make it competitive in the three-row SUV segment. It comes standard with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, remote engine start, three-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating, adjustable second-row captain's chairs, and 60/40-split folding third-row seats. Standard in-car technology includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, OnStar communications (with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hotspot), USB ports (two in front and four for rear passengers), and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

The Essence includes a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, a cabin air ionization system and leather seating surfaces. Optionally, you can add all-wheel drive, a heavy-duty tow package that allows you to pull up to 5,000 pounds, a top-down parking camera system, and a sunroof.

Premium models add low-speed forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, front parking sensors, driver-seat memory settings, a 10-speaker premium Bose sound system, lane departure warning and intervention, a heated steering wheel, heated seats for outboard second-row passengers, ventilated seats for the front row, and power-folding third-row seats.

Top-trim Avenir models roll on 20-inch wheels and receive a navigation system (optional on the Essence and the Premium), a larger driver information display, a rearview mirror with integrated camera display, a sunroof, a top-down parking camera system, premium leather upholstery, upgraded interior trim, and a wireless device charging pad. Optionally, you can spec your Avenir with the Avenir Technology package that adds adaptive cruise control, upgraded automatic emergency braking and an adaptive suspension.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Buick Enclave Preferred 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$176/mo

$226/mo

Avg. Large SUV

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#25 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Buick Enclave from 2008-2022.}

$574/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.24x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.4%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Buick Enclave Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.4

41 reviews

5(42%)

4(17%)

3(10%)

2(7%)

1(24%)

Write a vehicle review See all 41 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Enclave Transmission is still a Lemon

Gary Smith, 01/08/2019

2019 Buick Enclave Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)

A new transmission was installed by the dealer (Banks Chevrolet-Concord, NH) who provided outstanding service with our lemon. The original transmission failed and was replaced with a new transmission. Approximately 1 month later the second transmission developed a chuggling noise and is clunky and does not shift smoothly on hills going both up and down. I strongly recommend avoiding …

Transmission Nightmare

Matt, 02/09/2019

2019 Buick Enclave Premium 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)

I too have a 2019 Buick Enclave with transmission problems. Took it into the dealer after 2000 miles after it started shaking when accelerating. The dealership said it needed a new torque converter and we could drive it until the part was available. This was around New Years, we went back to get the Enclave and the dealer said they were later told by GM just to flush the transmission …

Transmission Whine

Steve Jones, 01/22/2020

2019 Buick Enclave Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)

I took delivery of my 2019 Enclave in Nov 2019 and like it a lot. However, it developed a transmission whine shortly after delivery. I took it to my dealer and the service manager went for a ride with me. He acknowledged the noise and said he heard it in other Buicks. wondered if it might be the torque converter and he mentioned another possibility that I can not remember. He … told me he would contact the GM rep and get back in touch. A few days later I received a call telling me that the noise is considered acceptable as other cars with this transmission also make this noise... That is ridiculous. No new car should make transmission noise, especially a Buick which is classified as a luxury SUV and is the reason I purchased it. I contacted the dealership owner who said he would look into it and get back with me. Haven't heard from him yet. It looks like the run around has begun. Jan 2021 - After a year of ownership, I still haven't got the transmission whine resolved. I've been back to the dealer 4 times but get the same response. It's operating within acceptable parameters. I follow a website called GM Authority that is all things GM. There was an article about a GM pilot program to repair/replace many GM cars with this transmission. My Buick met the age and mileage criteria. I phoned them and as a first step, I brought my Buick back to the dealer with a copy of the article and another test drive. They did not seem familiar with the program but said they would contact GM. After several more emails and phone calls, a GM customer service advisor contacted me and advised that there was no such program and that my transmission was operating properly. I guess the moral of this story is, if you have this transmission in your GM car and it makes a whining noise, it's normal. Jul 2023 - I've driven about 58,000 miles and the whine has persisted. The whine exists in the lower 3 gears when pulling from a stop. I've become used to the noise but the car has performed very well otherwise. It has proven to be a reliable, comfortable, and quiet cruiser and I've averaged just over 23 mpg since new. I'm generally light on the throttle and use the cruise all the time even at speeds as low as 30 mph. Everything in the car works well and is easy to use. The only other issue of mention is that I've sometimes had some issues with the wifi connection. Sporatically it will not connect or will quit in areas where I know the signal exists. I spoke to and On-Star rep about the problem and it improved considerably but still cuts out from time to time. Overall, far fewer problems than other cars I've read about. After 5 years the transmission whine is still there in the first few gears but overall the Buick has been a very good car. It's comfortable, quiet, has lots of space, the tech has been bulletproof, and the car drives very well. Maintenance costs have been low and except for the transmission whine, I've had no issues after 78,000 miles and it's still a good looking car.

Best SUV

OB, 03/31/2019

2019 Buick Enclave Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)

Entire family loves enclave. we had a 2010 and put 177000 miles which we replaced with 2019 essence trim - we always lease to buy as u will know during lease if a problem comes. It gives a lot for its price compared to competitors. Before getting 2010 enclave we had BMW X5. We sold x5 at 135000 miles. To be honest X5 cost way more in maintenance above 120000 miles than enclave. We liked …

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2019 Enclave Highlights

Trim:

Preferred

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$40,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$176/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Enclave models:

Following Distance Indicator: Uses the radar cruise control system to let the driver know if the Enclave is following the car ahead too closely.
Lane Change and Blind Zone Alert: Alerts drivers of fast-approaching cars in adjacent lanes. Also warns drivers if there's a vehicle in a blind spot.
Safety Alert Seat: Warns the driver of a lane departure or imminent collision by vibrating the seat in the direction of the threat.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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