2024 Buick Enclave Evaluation, Pricing, and Specs

The three-trim Enclave lineup casts a wide net ranging from family transportation to near-premium luxury. Unfortunately, the top-tier Avenir, even with its nearly $60k base price, is outclassed by competitors, including its kissing cousin, the Cadillac XT6. For that reason, we’d go for the value play of the base Essence model. It brings a surprising number of standard amenities, including Wi-Fi, wireless charging, heated leather seats and steering wheel, and six USB ports. We would recommend splurging on the Sport Touring package, which replaces the 18-inch wheels with more attractive 20-inchers and adds body-colored door handles for a more streamlined look. There’s also a trailering package (hitch, heavy-duty engine cooling, a tow/haul drive mode, and special hitch views for the backup camera) that increases the max tow rating to 5000 pounds. Adding all-wheel drive is a $2000 upgrade, regardless of trim.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

All Enclaves rely on a 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission for motivation. Rated at 310 horsepower and 266 pound-ft of torque, it’s not cutting edge by any means but brings enough thrust to merge without concern, and its reserved nature keeps the cabin quiet under more typical conditions. Pushed at our test track, the V-6 in our Avenir test vehicle managed to complete the dash to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The suspension is well-sorted, but the Enclave knows its audience and favors comfort and a luxurious ride over sharp reflexes. Still, the steering is crisp, which helps the three-row SUV hide its mass; just know it’s not in the same league as the Audi Q7 or the BMW X5 in terms of dynamics. Then again, the softer tune makes sure rough pavement is dispatched with a minimum of shakes or shivers making their way into the cabin. The Buick can tow up to 5000 pounds when properly equipped.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA pegs the Enclave’s fuel economy at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (17 and 25 with all-wheel drive). Firmly mid-pack in the segment, our all-wheel-drive Enclave Avenir nailed the 25-mpg highway number on the nose in our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, part of our extensive testing regimen. Unfortunately, Buick has no hybrid powertrain option for the Enclave. For more information about the Enclave’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Enclave’s ace in the hole is its spacious, comfortable, and functional interior. Though it comes with many comfort and convenience features and is handsomely designed, material quality and attention to detail hold the Enclave back from being fully competitive with its luxury-branded rivals. The wood trim looks and feels chintzy, the sunshades for the optional panoramic roof aren’t power operated, and only the passenger-side second-row seat slides forward to allow third-row passengers in and out—a clear cost-cutting move that compromises convenience. However, if cargo space is a priority, the Enclave is one of the best choices in this segment. In our testing, we fitted a total of 38 carry-on boxes with the third and second-row seats folded down; we stowed an impressive five carry-ons behind the power-operated third row of seats.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Enclave is fitted with an 8.0-inch IntelliLink touchscreen infotainment system as standard equipment. User-friendly and rendered in a lovely arrangement with crisp graphics and an abundance of features. Navigation is standard on Premium and Avenir and available on the base Essence trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are all standard, and users can connect their devices to the internet via an available onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.

Each of the three rows is outfitted with a pair of USB ports for a total of six wired charging connections.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Even the base Essence trim receives a host of standard driver-assistance technologies as part of Buick’s Driver Confidence Plus system. It includes automatic emergency braking, blind zone alert, front pedestrian braking, front and rear parking assist, and more. Buyers wanting to upgrade to features such as adaptive cruise control will need to go for a higher trim or purchase an option package. For more information about the Enclave’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Buick offers the most powertrain-warranty coverage among its key rivals and even sweetens the deal with a free maintenance visit within the first year of ownership. The XC90’s powertrain warranty isn’t as long as the Buick’s, but the Volvo offers longer complimentary maintenance and more years of corrosion protection.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit

More Features and Specs