The Enclave is a full-size luxury crossover that has been changing consumer perceptions about the Buick brand since it was introduced. Blending style and grace with precision, the Enclave delivers comfort for up to eight, plenty of space for cargo up to 24 mpg on the highway.
Available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Enclave is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing that produces 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave achieves an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for front-wheel drive models and 16/22 mpg for all-wheel-drive models.
Riding on a 119-inch wheelbase, the production Enclave appears virtually identical to the concept car shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. Like the concept, the crossover sports signature Buick cues include a waterfall grille -- with "tri-shield" emblem -- and portholes. The portholes, which are similar in design to the new Lucerne sedan, are mounted on the trailing edges of the hood, which forms a distinct "V" shape.
Inside, the interior retains many of the design elements of the concept, with a slightly more practical implementation. GM insists the craftsmanship that made Enclave concept popular is carried over to the production model. The first row includes two bucket seats, while the second-row comes standard with two captain's chairs. A second-row 60/40-split bench (three passengers) seat is available.
Enclave’s second-row seats feature GM’s Smart Slide system, a popular feature that allows easy entry to the third row with the pull of one handle. With Smart Slide, the second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward, compressing the space occupied by the seat. The seats also have fore/aft adjustment. When adjusted rearward, the second-row seat provides more legroom for taller passengers; when adjusted forward, it provides more storage space or additional legroom for third-row passengers.
The third row features a standard 60/40-split bench seat that can accommodate three adult passengers.
Standard and Optional Features
Buick has replaced its former trim structure with a new setup that includes a single basic model available with three different packages.
The entry-level Enclave comes equipped with cloth seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat. A/C, power windows and locks, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, cruise control a power liftgate and an AM/FM/CD stereo with SiriusXM radio.
The Convenience Group package adds an ultrasonic rear parking assistance system, a rear camera and a remote starting system.
Appropriately, the Leather Group package brings leather upholstery in addition to a power-adjustable front passenger's seat, heated front seats and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Finally, the Premium Group package adds heated and cooled front seats, a Bose premium audio system, articulating headlamps and power-folding exterior rearview mirrors.
Occupant Safety
Safety-enhancing features include four-wheel anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology and GM's tire pressure monitoring system are standard. Traction control also is standard on all models.
Enclave is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two roof rail air bags that cover all three seating rows. Complementing the air bags is GM’s rollover sensing system, which activates the roof rail air bags if sensors determine an impending rollover.
Because rollover crashes typically last longer than non-rollover crashes, the roof rail air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant protection and containment.
Key Competitors
The Enclave occupies a niche between more modestly priced mainstream crossovers like the Mazda CX-9 and Honda Pilot and true luxury soft-roaders such as the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class