The 2025 Enclave has 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Buick has revamped the Enclave, its flagship SUV. The new version of this three-row mid-size SUV is larger, has more safety and convenience technology, and a new look inside and out. Gone is the V6 engine, replaced with a more fuel-efficient 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. It’s the only engine offered – there’s no hybrid or electric powertrain available, unlike some direct competitors. (The Toyota Highlander, for instance, offers a hybrid powertrain and the Mitsubishi Outlander comes in a plug-in-hybrid version.)
“We were focusing on what the customer was wanting and right now, they’re still [focused on internal combustion engines],” said Stephanie Ernster, global vehicle performance manager for crossovers at General Motors. “We’re trying to give the customer what they want, knowing that fuel economy is very important, so that’s why we are downsizing the engine and doing the right thing there.”
The Enclave straddles the line between a mainstream and luxury vehicle. Hence, Buick is offering it in three all-wheel-drive trims.
Preferred, which is geared toward mainstream competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and the Mazda CX-9, costs $57,999 before freight and pre-delivery inspection and comes with heated front seats, Google built-in, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 20-inch alloy wheels and ambient interior lighting in 126 shades of the rainbow.
The mid-level model, for $59,499, is the Sport Touring, or ST, which adds sportier touches, such as a flat-bottom steering wheel and a huge high-gloss black grille.
The top-of-the-line Avenir, at $67,999, is geared toward luxury buyers, taking on rivals such as the Acura MDX and Cadillac XT6. The Avenir is loaded-to-the-nines with features such as quilted and perforated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wiper blades, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, and larger 22-inch nickel-finish wheels.
Driving nearly 260 kilometres from downtown Portland, Ore., through the Tillamook State Forest on our way to the coast, we test drove the Sport Touring and Avenir trims. While both vehicles were whisper quiet inside the cabin, at times the turbo engine struggled when pushed and weighed down with multiple passengers. The Avenir trim had a smoother suspension and tighter steering than the ST. Along the winding mountain roads, there was little body roll. It soaked up bumps and other imperfections on the road better than the ST trim, which was a bit more jarring over uneven pavement with a stiffer suspension and looser steering feel. In its handling, the Enclave Avenir felt more like a premium luxury vehicle, resembling the softer, smoother suspension of a Lexus.
Also impressive was GM’s Super Cruise feature, which is available for the first time on a Buick. Super Cruise, a hands-free advanced driver assistance system, worked like a charm and was easy to use. Push the cruise control button on the steering wheel to set the desired speed and then hit the Super Cruise button. When the top of the steering wheel turns green, take your hands off the wheel and let the vehicle take over. It accelerated and decelerated perfectly in sync with the traffic ahead and also changed lanes, even turning on the turn signal without any driver input, when it was safe to do so. The system was impressive and helped to create a more relaxing ride for the driver, who, while ready to take over, rarely had to touch the steering wheel or pedal.
For 2025, the Enclave has grown longer, wider and taller than the previous generation and it’s noticeable not only on the outside, but in the cabin as well. All three rows of seats are spacious – there’s excellent leg, head and shoulder room, even in the third-row.
Getting into the last row doesn’t require the skills of a contortionist, either. Simply slide the second-row seat forward and tilt up and use the grab handle to get into the third row. Behind the third row there’s decent cargo space. But if you need more, the power folding seats on the Avenir trim fold flat with the touch of a button in the cargo area, to create a huge, wide and long space for bigger items. And a new auto sense power liftgate is easier to use, requiring no awkward kicking under the bumper to engage – simply stand behind the vehicle with the key fob and the lift gate opens for easy access to the trunk.
The 2025 Buick Enclave is built at GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant in Michigan and is already in Canadian dealerships.
Tech specs
2025 Buick Enclave
- Base price: $57,999 to $67,999, plus $2,000 for freight and predelivery inspection, plus other fees and tax
- Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 328 / 326
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
- Drive: All-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 12.3 city; 9.9 highway
- Alternatives: Acura MDX, Cadillac XT6, Subaru Ascent, Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander
Looks
The Enclave has a boxier look compared with the last generation’s curvy body. The front and rear end have been revised and the grille looks different depending on the trim. The ST has a bold, sporty and in-your-face front end compared to its siblings.
Interior
The interior of the ST trim, which adds a flat-bottom steering wheel.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
There is a spacious, airy cabin with seating for up to seven and cool storage spots including a centre console with a wireless phone charger, two large cupholders and a huge open space underneath, which is perfect for a purse. The curved 30-inch infotainment screen is large and easy to read. While the Avenir trim is more refined inside than its siblings, it’s not as luxurious as some German rivals.
Performance
The new 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine struggled at times. An electric or hybrid version would have been nice to stay more relevant. It is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.
Technology
There are 18 standard safety features, including new items such as traffic-sign recognition and blind-zone steering, up to nine camera views, depending on the trim, and Google Built-in.
Cargo
Behind the third row of seats is 650 litres of space.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The Enclave has respectable cargo space – there’s nearly 650 litres of space behind the third row. Drop the third row and it expands to 1,616 litres.
The verdict
The 2025 Enclave will only come with one engine, a 2.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
A competent and spacious SUV with plenty of technology and room for up to seven passengers, but inside, it’s not as refined and luxurious as some of its rivals.
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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