Overview & Reviews

Buick has been on the upswing the past few years, introducing new models that are much more desirable than its mediocre past products. The Buick Enclave was one of the first vehicles to point Buick in the right direction.

The Enclave shares a platform with GM's latest group of large crossovers and features an upscale interior, a powerful 3.6-liter V6 and plenty of room for both passengers and cargo. If you're looking for a new or used large luxury crossover SUV with a number of family-friendly features -- such as a roomy cabin with easily accessed and adult-friendly third-row seats -- the Enclave is one of the better choices available.

Current Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV powered by a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard. All-wheel drive is optional.

There are three trim levels: Convenience, Leather and Premium, all with standard seven-passenger seating. An available second-row bench seat increases capacity to eight.

The Enclave with Convenience Group comes with 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone app integration and OnStar. The Leather Group adds 19-inch wheels, a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power passenger seat and driver memory settings. The Premium trim level features lane-departure and forward collision warning systems, active headlights, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, ventilated front seats and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Option highlights include 20-inch wheels, a navigation system, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a dual-panel sunroof.

In reviews, we've praised the Enclave's spacious and pleasant interior, with its gently curving dash, rich-looking wood-grain inlays and soft, double-stitched leather. Adding interest are a Tiffany-style analog clock and aqua blue instrumentation. Access to the third row is excellent, with second-row seats that tilt and slide out of the way, and there are a useful 23 cubic feet of space behind the upright third-row seat. Folding down both rows yields a class-leading 115 cubic feet of cargo space. If you need more space for people or cargo, you won't find it in another crossover.

The Buick Enclave's V6 provides quick acceleration, along with a mildly sporty exhaust note. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. On the highway, the Enclave is quiet and smooth-riding, though some buyers may find that the optional 20-inch wheels degrade the ride noticeably. Overall handling is competent and predictable, though not necessarily the equal of its more driver-oriented (or smaller) rivals.

Used Buick Enclave Models
The Buick Enclave debuted for the 2008 model year and overall, any used Enclave will be a solid choice for an upscale, family-friendly crossover SUV.

In its first year, the V6 had a lower output of 275 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. The following year welcomed the direct-injection 3.6-liter V6 (power increased to 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque) as well as other upgrades that included Bluetooth connectivity and a traffic feature for the navigation system. Until 2010, there were just two trim levels – base CX and luxury CXL. Also, for the first two model years the transmission could be lazy to downshift due to its fuel-economy-biased programming. For 2010, the transmission was reprogrammed for quicker response. Additionally, Enclaves from 2008-'12 have slightly different exterior styling than the current model as well as some lower-quality switchgear.

The Enclave's current, more descriptive trim levels of base, Convenience, Leather and Premium arrived for 2012. Two years later saw the addition of the lane departure and forward collision warning systems.

User Reviews:

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  Enclave Excited - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Buick Happy - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Took Enclave to first swevice at 7500 miles and had no quality compliants for dealer to fix!! Droave to Florida and Milton Head from Pa., car was perfect.

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  Wow, what a SUV! - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Happy Enclave owner - August 31 - 10:50 pm

  After owning Chrysler built minivans for 24 years, we purchased the 2010 CXL 2 Enclave August 4 and have 1900 miles on it. It has been flawless to date. Got 24.2 mpg at 55-58 mph during 500 mile break in period on trip. Since then, 22-24 mpg at 65 mph on trip. The Enclave is so easy to drive, is whisper quiet inside, totally rattle free, and has a very classy exterior appearance as well with the new gray-green paint, chrome wheels, and Michelin Latitude tires.

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  I used to be a GM Fan. - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Doug G - August 5 - 4:44 pm

  Mine was preowned but practically new when I got it. Great looks and design concept, but disappointing quality. The gears stripped out in the power seat control and was replaced (Im not Fat) The entire steering column was replaced to eliminate a persistent knocking There is a constant rubber- on-rubber squeak when you turn the steering wheel, which the dealer tells me he has brand new Enclaves with the same problem and Buick has no fix a water pump went out last month in cold weather the front end cracks and pops and sounds like the FWD drive train and suspension is flying apart drips oil. Generally speaking, its looks good and is comfortable, but is a typical, poorly built U.S. car

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  Just as Good as My Excellent 2008 - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By E. Nicklas - August 3 - 8:54 pm

  Had a 2008 and this one is just as good. Like the handling, performance and quality. It seems to turn a lot of heads for a car that is not really a new model. Many people complain of fuel mileage. I get 18-19 overall and 22.6 at 75 MPH. I doubt that many cars this big that will haul 7 with comfort will do this good.

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  What a Rush to drive a Buick Enclave - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By joe ciccone - August 3 - 1:16 pm

  Excellent vehicle, fun to drive, very comfortable. Drove from Montreal QC. to Hallandale FL. and back in 15 days. very powerful on highway. excellent acceleration smooth ride and very very low road noice. Averaged 21 MPG at 80 MPH. Enclave is a huge vehicle and you do not feel tired after driving 14 hours a day. Drove through 100 degree heat, AC. worked well. drove in heavy rain and in foggy mountain conditions and had no problems. 18 wheeler truckers do not intimidate. What a rush.

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  Electrical Issues - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Darlene - July 26 - 5:46 pm

  Purchased my 2010 Buick Enclave in August of 2010 with less than 100 miles. Enjoyed it until recently when the electronics started to fail. While driving the dash would fail and the a/c would stop cooling. Now it fails to crank off on on and the dealership states there is nothing wrong with it!

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  Lack of good service - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By ejk - July 23 - 10:17 am

  Like the ride of the car, that is when it is running. Have brought the car in seven times over the first six months. Service has no idea how to fix the electrical problems with the car and GM has provided no help. Examples turn the car off and remove the key yet the car keeps on running. Check engine light goes on and the best service can say is make sure you replace the cap when refueling tank. Parking brake light and sound keeps going off even though I never even use the parking break.

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  Front seats and rear deck poor for $47K] - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Dan - July 23 - 5:49 am

  2010 Enclave--The front seats are not comfortable. They are hard and lack enough plushness and fullness. On along trip they get hard on your bottom. We have to carry a small pillow for some comfort.The passenger side will let the passenger slide forward out of the seat. It also lacks the eight way tilts as the driver side and creates leg cramps after a while.The head rests will not adjust and hits the back of a passengers head whos a shorter person. The rear deck lid fails to close many times when using the clicker or the manual electric button. It will go down part of ths way then jump back up. You have to finally push it shut by hand hoping it will latch. The next day it may work correctly.

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  Great - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Joel - July 9 - 12:37 pm

  This Enclave was delivered with no flaws. Excellent. Good power. 23 mpg on the road is very nice. Drives well in bad weather--snow, ice and wet. Great traction. The ride is both elegant and handling is responsive (surprising so)-- even on mountain curves. The comfort makes cross country trips easy. Love the tight turning radius. Its a keeper.

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  Enclave Driving for Almost 2 Years - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By personal - July 4 - 12:45 pm

  I read a blog before we purchased who advised to purchase the back-up camera system due to the blind spots. I took that advise & it was right on. Im about 55" and my complaint is the visor doesnt block the sun when it is on the Drivers side. Lethargic pick- up is my other complaint. There is a lag when slowing down and then gaining acceleration to pass another car. Also a little thing but important to a woman is the hook on the back of the drivers seat is useless.