The Buick Enclave hits that rare sweet spot. It’s the American SUV that just feels right—practical enough for everyday life and refined enough to make every trip feel a little special.
Finding that kind of balance isn’t easy these days. With SUVs coming in every flavor imaginable, from stripped-down commuters to luxury barges, the Enclave manages to blend comfort, value, and capability in a way that actually works.
We looked at everything that matters to real owners: price, trims, cabin experience, performance, and what it’s like to live with long term. When all those circles overlapped, the Enclave sat right in the middle—where practicality and balance meet.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Buick and other authoritative sources, including CarEdge, the EPA, IIHS, J.D. Power, the NHTSA, and TopSpeed.
Buick Enclave at a glance
The Buick Enclave is the brand’s flagship SUV, hitting a sweet spot between practical, affordable, and just a touch of luxury. It seats seven, comes in three well-priced trims, and offers a reliable engine with a couple of drivetrain choices.
This generation of the Enclave has been around for a while, evolving since its debut in 2007. It has a modern, slightly boxy shape, plenty of room for passengers, and a generous cargo area that makes daily life easy.
Built for city life
Most SUVs, whether big or small, spend the bulk of their time in the city. Even the toughest 4x4s rarely see anything harder than a mall parking lot or climbing a curb on the school run.
The Enclave is built with that reality in mind. Its standard setup is a fuel-efficient front-wheel drive, and every detail—from easy entry and exit to cargo space—makes everyday errands and grocery runs simple.
Heading off road
Even city-focused SUVs need to handle weekend trips, camping, or towing a boat or trailer. The standard Enclave can manage all of that, but buyers should plan ahead to make sure it meets their family’s leisure needs.
A few optional extras can boost its ability to tackle gravel roads and rougher terrain, keeping the SUV comfortable while making off-pavement adventures easier.
Trims and pricing
Buick knows exactly where the Enclave fits in the large SUV lineup and keeps things simple with three clear trim levels.
These trims don’t try to match every luxury feature of high-end European SUVs. Instead, they go head-to-head with models like the Acura MDX, Cadillac XT6, and Infiniti QX60.
The Preferred trim explained
The baseline Preferred trim starts at $46,200 and comes loaded for its class. It includes 20-inch alloy wheels, a 30-inch screen for instruments and infotainment with Google built-in, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Other standard features include:
- Automatic power liftgate
- Eight years of OnStar Basics for safety, security, and connectivity
- HD surround vision
- Adaptive cruise control
- Power seats for the driver and front passenger with 4-way lumbar support
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror and power-folding side mirrors
- 12-speaker Bose audio system
- Performance suspension
Sport Touring trim
The Sport Touring trim starts at $49,700, right around the average price for a new car in the U.S.
It shares most of the features from the Preferred trim but adds sporty touches like branded wheel accents and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
For an extra $3,500, those cosmetic upgrades might be hard to justify for most buyers.
Avenir trim
The Avenir starts at $59,600 and brings the Enclave up a notch in luxury. It features leatherette upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and a rear camera mirror with a washer.
Additional Avenir features include:
- Bose 16-speaker sound system
- Premium suspension with continuous damping control
- Massaging front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- One-touch flat-folding and sliding second-row seats
- 60/40 split power-folding third-row seats
A spacious and comfortable ride
No matter the trim, the Buick Enclave seats seven comfortably and packs in useful tech, making it easy to tackle both daily commutes and weekend getaways.
Features like the automatic liftgate and generous cargo space make errands and school runs feel effortless. Even the base trim comes with a solid Bose sound system for a little extra enjoyment on the road.
Performance highlights
All three trims share the same engine and transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available as an option. The Enclave packs a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder turbo paired with an eight-speed automatic.
It delivers 328 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 326 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. With the optional towing package, it can haul up to 5,000 pounds, making it capable for weekend adventures.
Fuel efficiency
|
Driveline |
FWD |
AWD |
|---|---|---|
|
Fuel efficiency (city) |
20 mpg |
19 mpg |
|
Fuel efficiency (highway) |
27 mpg |
24 mpg |
|
Fuel efficiency (combined) |
23 mpg |
21 mpg |
Warranties
Limited warranty: three years or 36,000 miles.
Powertrain warranty: five years or 60,000 miles.
What it’s like to own
The Buick Enclave has strong safety and reliability credentials. The NHTSA tested it in 2024, giving the AWD version five stars and the FWD four, though both meet the agency’s performance criteria. There were no recalls.
The IIHS named the Enclave a Top Safety Pick+, marking it as one of the safest vehicles in its class. Both major safety agencies give it top marks.
J.D. Power ratings out of 100 for the Enclave include:
- Overall: 78
- Reliability: 72
- Driving experience: 76
- Resale value: 82
- Dealership experience: 87
What it costs to own
According to CarEdge, owning a Buick Enclave for five years will cost about $64,973 on average. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Depreciation: 48 percent
- Insurance: 19 percent
- Fuel: 15 percent
- Interest: 13 percent
- Maintenance: 5 percent
Depreciation is the biggest cost, though 48 percent is fairly typical. Insurance, fuel, and interest are part of any vehicle’s ongoing costs, while most of the maintenance expenses will come in the last couple of years after the limited warranty ends.
A practical, well-rounded SUV
The Buick Enclave is a practical, well-rounded American SUV that handles most tasks comfortably. It doesn’t have flashy standout features beyond its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, but for everyday driving, it checks all the right boxes.
Big enough for a family and versatile inside, the Enclave works well on paved roads, which is where most U.S. drivers spend their time. Front-wheel drive handles city streets with ease, and all-wheel-drive is available if you need extra traction in snow, ice, or heavy rain.
The top Avenir trim leans into luxury, but the more affordable Preferred trim comes loaded with features that make daily driving easy and enjoyable. Despite its size, the Enclave isn’t overwhelming—it’s tall and long but still easy on the eyes.