Buick Enclave

Outside

Buick states that the Enclave has increased in size but it hasn’t released specs. Based on the Traverse measurements, the difference may be incremental rather than significant.

Overall, the new Enclave fits in with the latest Buick design language. But it’s a bit generic from the side, and it lacks the elegance seen in the prior Enclave’s artful curves. The front fascia and headlamps closely resemble the entry-level Envista, with the lights being narrow, horizontal slashes. Likewise, the fog lamps are tucked into dramatic corner coves that flank a prominent trapezoidal grille. On the Sport Touring, the grille surround and inserts are black.

The rest of the Buick is reminiscent of the Chevy and GMC—until you see them side by side. All three have quite different treatments for the rear pillars. The Buick may have the most graceful execution, but it’s also a bit less distinctive. That glass shape and trim remind me of other models, like the Acura MDX. The taillamp treatment also varies significantly among the trio.

The Preferred and Sport Touring come with 20-inch wheels, while the Avenir wears giant 22-inch wheels.

Inside

The cabin sees a more dramatic makeover than the exterior. The dash is dominated by a 30-inch screen that serves as a combination instrument panel and infotainment display. Unlike other vehicles that have adopted such a massive screen, this “floating” display juts out from the dash rather than being integrated, as in the Cadillac Escalade and even more so in multiple recent Mercedes-Benz models. Also, like in a Mercedes, the gear selector is a wand on the steering column and the wiper control stalk is on the left.

There are limited physical buttons to the left of the steering wheel and a row beneath the infotainment screen. Hard keys, as they’re often referred to, may seem a bit nostalgic as cars become computers on wheels, but there’s no beating the simplicity of physical controls when driving.

The infotainment system uses Google Assistant, allowing voice interaction for directions via Google Maps, dictating text messages, and performing a range of vehicle functions. Apps can be added to expand functionality, including Spotify for listening to music.

There’s a wireless phone charge mat to keep your device charged when using wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Every Enclave has front heated seats with four-way lumbar adjustment, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and active noise control to hush unwanted exterior sounds.

The Sport Touring trim brings sporty touches, such as a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and the cabin is festooned with ST badging.

Avenir bumps the stereo up to 16 speakers and adds a panoramic roof. It upgrades the front seats to ventilated perches with a massaging function. The second-row outboard seats are heated. It also includes the Power Package available on the other trims, with a head-up display and one-touch folding second- and third-row seats.

What Drives It

The next-generation Enclave ditches the 3.6-liter V6 for a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Despite being a smaller engine, this powerplant has slightly more horsepower than the previous V6, rising from 310 hp to 328 hp for the 2025 model. Typical of turbos, torque makes even greater gains, moving up from 266 lb.-ft. to 326 lb.-ft.

That engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave can be configured in front- or all-wheel drive. Maximum tow capacity is 5,000 pounds.

The Avenir comes with an adaptive suspension that can rapidly respond to changing road conditions, thereby heightening comfort and handling as called upon.

Active Safety and Driver Assistance

Like the Chevrolet Traverse, the Enclave is expected to come with a full suite of active safety and driver assistance features that include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and automatic high beams.

Other standard features include adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning with reverse automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and sign recognition. Like the Chevy, the Buick is likely to provide some safety warnings via vibrations to the driver’s seat. 

Available on all Enclave trims, the Super Cruise active driving assistance system allows hands-free operation on many highways. GM expects to expand the Super Cruise road network in the U.S. and Canada to 750,000 miles through 2025. The Super Cruise package includes a driver attention monitor and active parking assistance.