At a Glance:
- MSRP: From $40,300
- Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs.
- Horsepower: 310 hp
- Cargo volume: 23.6 ft³, 97.6 ft³ with seat area
- Seating capacity: 7
- MPG: Up to 18 city / 26 highway
- Engine: 3.6 L V6
This mid-size SUV from Buick is a premium vehicle at a practical price. While the Enclave sits somewhere beneath luxury brand competitors in terms of both features and price, it compares very favorably against economy models that may save you a little money, but won’t deliver the driving experience or comfort of this vehicle.
Interior
Inside the Enclave, drivers will immediately notice the cavernous space with 3 comfortable and roomy rows ideal for family travel. Like nearly every Buick, the Enclave’s cabin is noticeably quiet. Close the doors and you’ll be insulated from the world’s chaos for at least the time it takes you to drive to the office.
Panel layout and interface are both intuitive and pleasant. Key features are immediately accessible and even sub-menu items in the infotainment system can be found quickly and easily.
It’s unfortunate that the Enclave’s aspiration to fit between somewhere in the middle of the SUV pack somewhat fails here. It’s expected that the Enclave’s interior design and finish wouldn’t approach luxury class European and Japanese competitors, but the Buick gets edged out even by some cheaper vehicles in this regard. Compared to the Hyundai Palisade, for example, the Enclave’s interior fit and finish feels skimpy.
The available Avenir trim remedies these shortcomings with a beautiful chestnut/ebony (or just ebony) interior, seat stitching and piping, premium headrests and floor mats, and a wood-accented steering wheel.
Exterior
The Enclave is a subdued, but good looking vehicle that could easily be mistaken for the Acura MDX or a handful of other mid-size competitors. After all, there’s only so much room for flair and personality in a vehicle class that demands a certain boxiness in both size and shape. In any case, the Enclave holds its own with its clean lines and understated grille.
Features
The Enclave is available in four trim options: Preferred; Essence; Premium; Avenir. Even the most modest “Preferred” trim is well-equipped with key features such as keyless/remote start, premium ride suspension, 18-in. painted aluminum wheels, LED lights, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, eight-way power driver’s seat, HD rear vision camera, heated front seats, rear park assist, tri-zone automatic climate control, and six USB ports.
The Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which includes driver-assist safety features such as collision warning, lane change and blind spot alerts, and advance braking are only available in upper-trims, unfortunately.
Power & Handling
All trim variations of the 2021 Buick Enclave run a 3.6-liter V6 that offers 310 horsepower. While mileage is sub par, the engine is plenty energetic for regular driving whether you’re carrying teenagers or trailers. Acceleration, braking, and cornering are all noticeably superior to non-luxury vehicles in its class. All trims excluding the base level Preferred offer an all-wheel drive option, which we recommend depending on your location and needs.
When it comes to handling, the Enclave ride is remarkably comfortable and smooth. In some larger vehicles, this translates to a “looser” feel, but we find the Enclave to be responsive without jarring or surprising the driver.
Final Thought
The Buick Enclave is a great find for car buyers who may shy away from higher priced luxury SUVs but still want a premium driving experience.
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