The Buick Enclave is a giant premium crossover SUV. A cousin of the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, Buick’s three-row crossover debuted as a 2008 model. A new Sport Touring option has been added to the 2017 Buick Enclave lineup, featuring a satin black ice grille and 20-inch chrome wheels. The Buick Enclave also continues to offer the Tuscan package that debuted in 2016.
A beautiful SUV for family use, the Enclave performs well, as expected when it was unveiled. Sleek on the outside, it’s spacious and comfortable on the inside, especially when it features second-row captain’s seats. The quality of the fabrics stands out on the inside.
Despite its size, the Buick Enclave gets respectable estimates of fuel economy, far higher than those of the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, and Chevrolet Suburban pickups.
Buick’s 3. 6-liter V6 makes 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of quiet functional torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available on all base model models.
Passengers and transportation have plenty of room in an Enclave, which is among the largest SUVs built by General Motors divisions and among the most spacious. While supplied with leather seats, the Enclave rivals several luxury competitors in feel and finish.
Seven-passenger seating is standard, but an eight-passenger configuration with a second-row bench is available. Additional features include a rear-seat entertainment system. Available in Leather and Premium trim levels, the new Sport Touring Package is available in a choice of 3 special edition frame colors: White Frost Tricoat, Crimson Red Metallic and Ebony Twilight Metallic.
The protection scores are impressive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the Enclave an overall score of 5 stars. The score included five stars for frontal and side effect in the tests and four stars for calculated rollover risk. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Buick’s largest SUV a Good score in each and every one of its tests, except for the tricky short-overlap frontal crash test, which was not conducted.
Available protective devices include Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and Forward Collision Warning. However, the Enclave doesn’t have the automatic emergency braking that has almost become popular in this category in recent years.
Side curtain airbags in all 3 rows, while a front center airbag is attached to the inside of the driver’s seat. A rearview camera is standard.
The 2017 Enclave will be that of the existing generation.
Three trim levels are available: Buick Enclave Convenience ($39,990) includes second-row captain’s seats with a 60/40 split-folding third-row; automatic xenon headlights; an eight-way power driver’s seat; electric tailgate; rear parking assist; remote start with keyless start; Rearview camera, 19-inch wheels. IntelliLink also features a 6. 5-inch touchscreen and voice recognition; and an AM/FM/satellite radio with MP3 and 3 USB ports for charging/playback.
The Enclave Leather ($44,690) comes with leather seats, eight-way heated forced front seats, blind-spot following with rear cross-traffic alert and a heated wood-trimmed guide wheel. The Enclave Premium ($48,550) adds forward collision warning with lane departure warnings, a premium Bose stereo with 10 speakers, heated/ventilated front seats, a tightly adjustable guide column and 19-inch chrome wheels. The new Sport Touring package can be added to the Leather or Premium trim level. (All costs are in MSRP and come with destination charges. )
Although Enclave is now in its ninth season, it’s a good vehicle. The broad chassis lines, which look smart and soothing, are particularly appealing compared to the similar but shapeless Chevrolet Traverse. Starting with a waterfall-style chrome grille and sleek shoulder lines on the exterior, the Enclave opens up to a cleverly decorated interior with a carefully configured seating layout.
The new Sport Touring adds a little more colour and sparkle to what is already a tantalising premium crossover SUV, with room for up to 8 occupants.
Like the exterior, the Buick Enclave’s richly decorated interior has an old look to it. Visually ambiguous by nature, but decidedly exclusive, the dashboard is topped with an analogue clock and adorned with wood. Sleek yet conservative, the cabin is filled with soft-touch fabrics and careful stitching.
Depending on the configuration, seven or eight passengers can travel in relative comfort. The front seats are quite soft, designed to accommodate other types of structures. On higher trim levels, the front seats are electrically adjustable in 8 positions, heated and ventilated, with memorization functions.
Second-row occupants sit a little higher up, to get a better view of the front. The leg is smart and the headroom is plentiful. Captain’s seating is standard, although a bench can be specified for a capacity of 8 passengers.
The space in the third row is enough for two adults, but they probably won’t love it too much. Getting into the third row and then exiting is not an entirely worthy task. With all 3 rows of seats in position, the shipping volume totals 23 cubic feet, expanding to 115 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.
The Buick Enclave is more about convenience than speed. Maximum engine force appears relatively high in the rev range, while maximum torque appears at a much lower engine speed. This means that the Enclave is rarely so adamant when trying to overtake on the top road, but when temporarily pulling away from a red light.
Handling is complete for an SUV of this length and weight, and the Enclave doesn’t lean excessively into corners. Most importantly, the ride is smooth.
Hit the brakes hard and you’ll get a quick reminder of the mass of this vehicle, in the form of abundant immersion. Even on narrow roads, the Enclave inevitably feels and behaves like a giant vehicle.
Choose optional 20-inch wheels and the gear will tend to get a little harder. They are not our preference. Either way, expect a wonderfully quiet experience, thanks to Buick’s Quiet Tuning approach. An Enclave can be supplied to tow up to 4500 lbs.
Fuel economy lags behind some competitors, but estimates are respectable for a three-row style that weighs just around 5,000 pounds. With front-wheel drive, the Enclave has an EPA-rated 15/22 mpg city/highway, or 18 mpg combined, which is close to other giant crossovers. All-wheel drive lowers the combined EPA estimate to 17 mpg, and city/highway numbers remain unchanged.
The Buick Enclave is giant and comfortable inside, sleek and quiet, the best for hauling a family. It’s our favorite of GM’s three giant crossover SUVs, largely due to its quality fabrics and quiet ride. There are many valuable features to add to the extensive list of popular teams. If supplied as similar luxury SUVs, an Enclave can easily surpass the $50,000 mark. It’s a bit of a long shot, though, and there’s a new style on the horizon, so keep an eye out for deals.
Driving impressions through Aaron Cole, The Car Connection. James M. Flammang contributed to this report.