A viable hybrid of three cars
The Buick Enclave is a full-size SUV, which has been produced since 2007 by GM (USA) under the Buick brand. The vehicle is sort of a hybrid of different cars: the Buick Rainier mid-size SUV, the Buick Rendezvous mid-size SUV and the Buick Terraza minivan, which took on a life of its own and became more popular than its ‘parents’. In 2021, the market offers the second generation of the 2018 Enclave.
The Enclave was a great way for GM to propel Buick to enter a premium SUV class. Not that the SUV has been so extraordinary, but it turned out to be a practical, dynamic and viable vehicle.
The new Buick Enclave is a full-size family SUV for people who want a truly luxury car but can’t afford the luxury brand’s three-row model. The Enclave is designed for who have outgrown such Chevrolet models as Acadia or Traverse, but have not grown to Cadillac Escalade and, at the same time, do not want to put themselves at the mercy of the ubiquitous Ford Flex or Mazda CX-9.
The Buick Enclave is consistently popular in the USA and in China, but, like any ‘old’ American brand, there are fans of Buick’s models both in European countries and in the Middle East.
The first generation
It was produced from 2007 to 2017. The first Buick Enclave was designed as a family car. It was not as big as a minivan, but had three rows of seats and looked modern both outside and inside. The vehicle was built on the GM crossover platform, just as the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. Both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions were available. The first-generation Enclave allowed GM to take Buick to new frontiers, reset the brand and maintain a balance in the SUV segment between budget and premium versions for a long time, until the introduction of the second generation.
The first Enclave was equipped with a fully independent suspension and a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 275 hp in combination with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It was quite a powerful vehicle capable of towing up to two tons. All necessary safety equipment, including stability control and three-row side airbags, came as standard. The basic options included: anti-lock disc brakes, a tire pressure sensor and a stabilization system.
The 2007-2017 Buick Enclave was available in CX and CXL trim levels. The base CX featured 18-inch alloy wheels, HID bi-xenon headlights, a power tailgate, heated exterior mirrors. The top-end CXL had 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats and additional power seat adjustments, including driver memory settings.
Regardless the trim level, the Enclave had an impressive interior. It was stated that when developing it, the designers were inspired by the interior of premium private jets.
Regardless the trim level, the Enclave had an impressive interior. It was stated that when developing it, the designers were inspired by the interior of premium private jets. The interior was trimmed with wood and soft leather, featuring an analog Tiffany clock and an aqua dashboard. It became easier to access the third row seats thanks to the ability to tilt the second row and shift to the side when pressing the lever. The volume of the cargo compartment reached 3.2 cubic meters (with the second and third row seats folded down), which was one of the highest cargo volumes among SUVs.
2013 restyling
The 2013/2014 restyled Enclave featured a massive body, impressive engine power and a Buick-specific control system that included customizable touchscreen display and smartphone app integration. Each SUV had a 6-cylinder engine with 288 hp, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, whereas all-wheel drive was included as an option.
Other options included unique front side airbags and a retuned suspension for smoother, more responsive driving. There was only one trim level after restyling, but there were three standard equipment packages to choose from: Convenience, Leather and Premium.
- Convenience: 18-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, rear safety glass, power tailgate, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, remote ignition, cruise control, electronic control interface, various smartphone apps, etc.
- Leather: 19-inch wheels, blind spot monitoring system, cross traffic alert, heated front seats and an eight-way power passenger seat.
- Premium: All Leather and Convenience options plus adaptive headlights, power folding mirrors and auto-dimming, adjustable steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, 10-speaker Bose audio system.
Additional Leather and Premium options included 20-inch wheels, a sunroof (plus rear glass roof panels), rear seat entertainment system, a Bose surround sound system, and a navigation system. Safety options included anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control, front side airbags, side airbags and a rear view camera. A large airbag was standard and deployed between the front seats in the event of a side impact.
The second generation
It has been produced from 2018 to the present (as of 2021). All the lucky finds of the first generation Enclave have continued to live and develop in the second generation, including a powerful engine, a roomy interior and advanced control technologies. The second generation is standardly equipped with a 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with 302 hp, paired with a 9-speed gearbox. The body of the 2018/2019 Buick Enclave is slightly longer, with more legroom for passengers in the second and third rows, but less cargo space.
The new Buick Enclave has a powerful engine, roomy interior and advanced control technologies.
The 2019/2020 Buick Enclave is available in four trim levels. The base Enclave is equipped with front-wheel drive only, whereas other versions can be front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Essence and Premium feature additional safety and comfort technologies. The Avenir package has the performance, safety and comfort of a premium SUV. The Enclave standardly comes with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, rear parking sensors, keyless access and ignition, remote engine start and a bunch of other useful and advanced options.
When designing the second generation, the developers focused on eliminating the Enclave’s characteristic clumsiness on the road, reducing ambient noise from wind, road and transmission, improving climate control and softening behavior on the road with a new adaptive suspension.
According to the majority of reviews, the 2020/2021 Buick Enclave is a quiet, functional and comfortable vehicle, demonstrating a very confident steering response not only on dry roads, but also on wet roads. It is noted that the car is suitable for long driving, more than 10 hours. The weak point of the second generation is programmable functions, such as the transmission control module, which, in the event of a failure, can only be repaired by the dealer.
