BuickEnclave

　　

2024 Buick Enclave Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　If you're looking for a large, stylish and upscale three-row crossover SUV, the 2024 Buick Enclave is one solution to your wants and needs. An older design, the second-generation Enclave is among the most spacious models in its segment, making it adept at carrying people and cargo. It has a tried-and-true V6 engine delivering strong power and, during our testing, competitive fuel efficiency. And, while it's not a high-tech SUV, it provides the infotainment and driver assist features you likely want the most. Unfortunately, the Enclave's premium pricing makes it an unfavorable value in lower trim levels and pits it against luxury brands when fully equipped.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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) - $43,900 MSRPEssence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $45,900 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $51,200 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $53,200 MSRPAvenir 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $57,500 MSRPAvenir 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $59,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Large and in charge

If the Buick Enclave has an ace up its sleeve, it takes the form of its roomy interior. The passenger room is particularly generous for the front- and second-row occupants, and we've found the Enclave's seats to be comfortable and supportive. The third-row seat is roomier than what you'll find in some rivals and not quite as satisfying as what competitors offer. In addition, the Enclave offers a smooth and quiet ride and a generous amount of cargo space. Put it all together, and a Buick Enclave makes for a great family road-tripper. Learn more in our detailed Expert Rating of the 2024 Enclave.

　　

Competitors to consider

Rumor has it a redesigned 2025 Buick Enclave is coming soon. We expect it to have a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the latest tech from the General Motors goodie bag, plus upgrades to better help it justify its higher price. If you can't wait, consider similarly sized alternatives such as the redesigned Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia twins, which give a preview of the coming all-new 2025 Enclave. zzdcar also recommends the Kia Telluride, an excellent choice in a midsize three-row SUV.

　　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