2021 Buick Enclave Review

　　

2021 Buick Enclave Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The 2021 Buick Enclave is a midsize three-row SUV that's positioned somewhere between mainstream and entry-level luxury brands. That means it's more expensive than models such as the Chevrolet Traverse (which it's related to) and the Honda Pilot but not as expensive as an Acura MDX or Audi Q7.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Buick Enclave Preferred 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$176/mo  for Enclave Preferred

　　Enclave Preferred

　　Preferred 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $40,000 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $42,000 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $44,000 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $48,400 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $50,600 MSRPAvenir 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $53,800 MSRPAvenir 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $56,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　You do get a quiet and smooth ride, which you expect from Buick. The Enclave's interior is also quite large and can hold plenty of cargo, even with its third-row seat in use. But overall we don't find this big Buick SUV offers quite enough to make it a compelling alternative to our top-rated SUVs such as the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Read our Expert Rating to learn more of our take on the 2021 Enclave.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Enclave drive? The Enclave is one of the quicker-accelerating midsize SUVs around, needing only 7 seconds to scoot to 60 mph. The transmission is responsive yet operates smoothly and seamlessly, which makes for a very nice combination. The Enclave also handles quite well for a big three-row SUV, never feeling ponderous or unwieldy. Its steering provides easy maneuverability at parking lot speeds and good highway stability, while the brakes make it easy to come to a smooth stop.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Enclave? Most three-row SUVs offer good comfort in the first two rows, and the Enclave is no exception. There's nice seat and armrest padding throughout the cabin, and although the third row isn't quite as comfortable, it can accommodate adults, unlike the back rows of some competitors. Air vents for every row are a plus.

　　The Enclave offers stellar ride quality, even without the optional adaptive suspension, and the cabin is very well insulated from outside cabin noise. Our only complaint stems from some interior squeaks as materials rub against each other when the body flexes over low-speed bumps.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Enclave's simple cabin layout may be a bit boring, but it also makes it easy to use. Its abundance of room and ability to slide the second-row captain's chairs make for a very comfortable cabin when you're not carrying a full load. Getting in and out is a cinch with the Enclave's relatively low ride height. Another benefit of the standard captain's chairs is an easy path to the third row.

　　Visibility is good, though we might appreciate sideview mirrors that are slightly larger. Otherwise, the square windows leave little hidden, and the optional comprehensive camera system helps you avoid fixed objects when parking or backing out of spaces.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become necessities for many shoppers nowadays, and the Enclave includes them as standard equipment, along with a total of six USBs strewn throughout the cabin. The optional Bose audio system delivers the quality sound you'd expect at this level. And although there's less of a need for it, the onboard navigation is easy to use, if not a little dated-looking.

　　For those who need to be connected beyond their smartphones, a 4G LTE hotspot is still available if you sign up for a data plan, as are the app-controlled telematic functions (e.g., remote locking/unlocking, engine start). There are some advanced driver aids available, but hardly any are standard equipment.

　　

Storage

9.0/10

　　How’s the storage? If cargo space is what you need, then the Enclave is your class champion. By the numbers, it has a huge cargo area (23.6 cubic feet) behind the rear seats and a whopping 98 cubic feet with all the rows folded. Our tester featured electronically folding third-row seats, which is a nice convenience.

　　The cabin features a decent amount of small-item storage throughout, with the most usable space probably the two-tier center armrest bin. The bonus storage compartment underneath the shifter is made possible by Buick's fully electronic shifter. There's plenty of room for car seats. And the car seat anchors on either of the captain's chairs are fairly accessible but not as easy to find as they are on some other Buick vehicles.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? At an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined with all-wheel drive, the Enclave is a little less efficient than the competition. Kia's Telluride returns 21 mpg, and a Toyota Highlander gets an estimated 23 mpg with AWD.

　　

Value

6.5/10

　　Is the Enclave a good value? Value is where the Enclave falls flat, pricing itself out of the hunt especially in our tester's high-end Avenir trim. There are nice aspects to the cabin but too many other things — such as trim, switchgear and panels that squeak as they rub against each other — make it feel cheaper than others costing thousands less. The absence of adaptive cruise control at this price doesn't help either.

　　The Enclave is also one of the least efficient vehicles in this segment, which is a trade-off for being the most powerful. As far as warranty and ownership, Buick is better than average, though not as strong as Kia or Volkswagen.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　The Enclave is a bit of a dark horse. It's surprisingly well rounded. But it doesn't strike us as a vehicle people are aspiring to own, especially not at the asking price. It's not a fun vehicle, but it is a pleasant one.

　　If Buick could spruce up the interior, spice up the exterior, and bring the price down to a more competitive figure, it would definitely catch the attention of more shoppers.

　　

Which Enclave does zzdcar recommend?

Go for the Premium trim. You're buying an Enclave because of its slightly more upscale vibe, so might as well make the most of it. The Premium adds plenty of convenience, tech and safety features that are comparable to what the Enclave's competition offers.

　　

2021 Buick Enclave models

The 2021 Buick Enclave is offered in four trims: Preferred, Essence, Premium and Avenir. All models receive a 3.6-liter V6 engine (310 horsepower, 266 lb-ft) that's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base Preferred trim is only available with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available on other trims. The Enclave can accommodate seven passengers, with the second row featuring two captain's chairs and a three-seat 60/40-split folding bench in the third row.

　　The base Preferred trim comes well appointed with feature highlights that include:

　　Keyless entry and ignition Hands-free liftgate Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Heated front seats Power-adjustable front seats 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system Rearview camera Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Wi-Fi hotspot Satellite radioThe Essence adds only a handful features that include:

　　Leather upholstery Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) 

　　The Premium trim adds a healthy number of convenience and safety features that include:

　　Driver-seat memory functions Power tilt-and-telescoping steering column Additional lumbar adjustments for front seats Ventilated front seats Heated middle-row seats Power-folding third-row seats Household power outlet 10-speaker Bose audio system with HD radio A more complete suite of safety features: Lane keeping assist (steers the Enclave back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Automatic high beams Front parking sensors Safety Alert driver's seat (vibrates the seat when an alert is triggered) At the top of the range, the Avenir adds:

　　Sunroof Navigation system Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Enclave and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Steering wheel with wood accents Wireless charging padThe Avenir trim is also eligible for the Avenir Technology package that includes:

　　Adaptive suspension (enhances both ride comfort and handling) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Enclave and the car in front)Some features are available on supporting trims as options. All but the Preferred trim are eligible for the optional rear entertainment center.

　　

2021 Enclave Highlights

Trim: PreferredEssencePremiumAvenirPreferred

　　

Base MSRP	$40,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$176/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles