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:

• 

  Good Enough for Seconds - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Bob - July 2 - 10:24 pm

  Just traded my 08 Enclave on a new 10 model. Looks exactly the same, handles the same, and is just as pleasurable as the 08. I put 50K miles on the first one, and enjoyed every one of them. Three round trips between Idaho and my winter home in Florida, and Im looking forward to the next one. Ive owned a lot of new cars - BMW, Porsche, Nissan, Chrysler, Ford and GM - and the Enclave is by far the best yet.

• 

  Love My Buick - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Bing - June 29 - 9:15 am

  My Buick Enclave is best riding vehicle that I have ever had. The Enclave rides so smooth on the Interstate. I like all of the safety features standard on the Enclave. People ask me if I like my Enclave, I tell them no I love my Enclave. Gas mileage in cit could be much better.

• 

  Nice. But. - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By mhammel - June 29 - 8:11 am

  The Enclave provides a decent ride and comfortable seating for 7 in our configuration. If this vehicle were manufactured by Ford , Id buy another one. The GM experience is awful (and I mean GM, not just the dealer network). For instance, I purchased a very small, boat and wanted to add a trailer hitch. The owners manual indicates that a part has to be changed if a hitch is added and the dealer will take care of it.. Not so. The small part is a the entire fuse panel and to correctly modify the electronics in this car to support towing is so expensive the dealer wouldnt give me a price -theres even a TSB for this but GM has canceled the TSB. OnStar with Bell - no more, gone and more.

• 

  Transmission problems - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By rowand - June 14 - 11:51 am

  The transmission went on my enclave It only has 97k on it. Have been waiting over 4 wks for repair. Parts still not in! Unacceptable!

• 

  Buick Enclave CXL2 FWD - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Mike - June 13 - 6:23 pm

  Purchased vehicle 4 months ago. Since then, exhaust system had to be replaced due to a harmonic vibration that could be heard while accelerating. Vehicle delivered with imperfections in paint (Tri-Coat Color). Two bubbles are visible and GM is still deciding as to whether the entire left side of vehicle will be repainted or take a chance that there is no air beneath bubble. Engine has a rough idle and is loud compared to foreign vehicles Ive owned. Vehicle oversteers somewhat.

• 

  Tire replacement - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By bob - June 11 - 8:26 pm

  My tires wore prematurely 3/32 at 26k miles dealer offered to buy two and I pay for two 618.00 for two tires so much for G M price matching 208.00 at Belle tire. My question is when I drove it in the dealership my vehicle drove beautifully when I drove out on a test drive it vibrated terribly it has been back six times and still not right. Last visit I was told to drive it 500 miles and come back. Can anybody help I dont have the time and they have driven it 300 miles testing it what is wrong? Thanks help

• 

  Well rounded family vehicle - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By brucemaz1 - June 11 - 11:09 am

  As a family of 5, we had a base Nissan Armada which we liked, but decided we needed more features and better gas mileage. Looked at CX9 among others. The look of the Enclave beats all- comers in our opinion. The technology is extensive and the warranty is solid. Only had it a short while, but very happy so far. Only issue is idle is set so low, it can roll back a bit on inclines when taking off if you delay hitting the gas - simple awareness addresses the issue and it likely lends to the decent fuel economy. Super quiet. During delivery we did not know it was running while sitting in it. Drives smoothly.

• 

  Worst car I ever owned - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Carol - May 23 - 9:32 pm

  Bought this 2008 Enclave as a Certified Preowned vehicle. Had 51,000 miles at purchase. So far the air conditioner sensor, transmission & Tire sensor have had to be replaced and there was some sort of electrical short that had to be fixed. Gas mileage is about 10 in the city and about 18 on the road. Much less than advertised. They loaned me another 2008 Enclave to drive on vacation because mine was in the shop and the water pump went out in it. Transmission doesnt shift well in low speeds. RPM runs too high. Worst car I ever bought.

• 

  Electronic Problems - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By OnE - May 15 - 6:23 pm

  During our purchase of our 2008 used Enclave from Gene Messer Ford. The vehicle had several electrical problems that the dealer said was normal and we could pay to have it fixed. Electric window did not operate, electric seat motors were non functional, and the water pump went out right after we got it. Granted it was used with 60000 miles. One would expect the electronics and water pump to at least hit the 100000 mark. I have also noticed some other electrical problems. When the waterpump went out the vehicle gave an overtemp warning and the display showed "shut off engine". We immediately did. Something killed the battery and this made key be locked in the ignition. Sounds like a pro-thef

• 

  From S Class to Enclave - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By RosieNM - May 15 - 2:44 pm

  We purchased a brand new S430 in 2003 and I started 2010 with looking at all our options for a new car. We needed more seating but were not willing to give up that luxury feel. My husband and I went in to test drive a Denali and the salesman showed us the Enclave. My husband, family and I realized this was the perfect car for our family of 7. The 7 passenger, sliding seating is so functional & the styling and comfort are on par with Mercedes. Having spent $80000.00 on the Mercedes, we felt spending $46000.00 on the fully loading AWD Enclave was a bargain. We are so proud to be driving American!