2022 Buick Enclave

　　

2022 Buick Enclave Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The Buick Enclave is Buick's big three-row SUV that boasts comfortable seating for seven, a relaxed ride and plenty of standard features. But this latest generation, which came out for the 2018 model year, has also had a few downsides such as a lack of standard driver aids and ho-hum interior quality. Pleasingly, the updated 2022 Buick Enclave is a more well-rounded product.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Buick Enclave Essence 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$177/mo  for Enclave Essence

　　Enclave Essence

　　Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $42,800 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $44,800 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $49,800 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $51,800 MSRPAvenir 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $55,100 MSRPAvenir 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $57,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　On the outside the Enclave gets revised front and rear styling for a slightly sleeker look. Inside, the Enclave looks pretty much the same, though there's a new button-style transmission gear selector instead of the previous lever-style selector. The infotainment system now supports wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can now integrate your smartphone without having to use a USB cord.

　　More significant is that Buick has made many of the Enclave's previously optional advanced driver aids standard on every trim level. These include features such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist (helps steer the Enclave back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) and blind-spot monitoring. Overall, we like the Enclave's improvements, but it still might be worth your time to check out similarly upscale rivals such as the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. Check out our Expert Rating of the Enclave below to see how it scores in every category from comfort and performance to value and technology.

　　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

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Enclave drive? The Buick Enclave's driving dynamics are typical of what you'll find in the three-row crossover SUV segment. The 3.6-liter V6 has plenty of power, even though the 7.5-second 0-60 mph time of our all-wheel-drive Avenir test vehicle was just average for the class. (A front-wheel-drive version hit 60 mph in a more respectable 7.0 seconds.) The brakes are smooth and easy to control, but it took a long 136 feet to stop from 60 mph. The steering is light at low speeds and offers good high-speed stability, but it becomes ponderous in switchbacks.

　　There are some bright notes here. Our test vehicle's adaptive dampers worked to keep the Enclave level in tight corners. The transmission was also faultless — shifts are smooth and the transmission always seemed to be in the right gear.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Enclave? Most three-row SUVs offer good comfort in the first two rows, and the Enclave is no exception. Though the leather itself is a little stiff, the seats have good cushioning. There's even a rudimentary massaging function on all but the base trim. All passengers are treated to nice seat and armrest padding throughout the cabin. Air vents for every row are a plus, and seat heating and ventilation functions work quite well.

　　The Enclave offers stellar ride quality with or without the optional adaptive suspension, and the cabin is very well insulated from outside noise.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below