2025 Buick Enclave: A Comfortable And Big Family Cruiser

Buick's newly revamped midsize three-row SUV comes with top-notch features and includes an Avenir trim option for a touch of luxury. Its design can be plain because that is also your preferred ice cream flavor. You discover that the closest Buick dealer is a convenient place to find cars with those specifications. They are more stylish than the other options at a Chevrolet dealership but not extravagant enough to compete with Cadillac's luxurious offerings.

An Improved Buick

In comparison to the previous model, the newly redesigned Enclave now features a more conventional SUV design with a mid-size three-row layout. The new model is larger and more square-shaped than the previous one, with a stylish face resembling Buick's Wildcat concept replacing the old droopy design.

The appearance is characterized by sharp LED accents positioned above real headlights, and a large trapezoidal grille with distinct mesh designed for the Enclave's three different trim levels: Preferred, Sport Touring (ST), and Avenir. Buick uses the identical styling and trim approach for the smaller Envista, Encore GX, and Envision.

Every model now showcases the brand's updated tri-shield logo with the arrival of the new Enclave. The largest Buick now comes with a regular power liftgate that will open by itself when you are nearby, as long as you have the key on you and listen for the three beeps before the hatch opens. It is a smart option for systems that make you awkwardly swing your foot under the back bumper without being able to use your hands.

The Enclave becomes the first Buick to provide GM's SAE Level 2 automated driving technology, along with the hands-free option of Super Cruise. Arguably, it is currently considered the top option, exhibiting consistent lane-centering and organic responses in slow-moving traffic.

Super Cruise is also capable of automatically changing lanes and can now operate on certain undivided highways. The cost of this option, which includes three years of service, ranges from $3255 (for the Preferred and Sport Touring models) to $3730 (for the Avenir model, which also comes with a rear camera mirror).

Comfort Over Athleticism

To highlight its size even more, the Enclave is the initial Buick model to come with 22-inch wheels from the factory, which come as standard on the highest-grade Avenir and can be chosen for the other two versions. The large waves didn't disturb the Avenir's calm and peaceful drive while we were driving it, however, the suspension's softness and the steering's numb sensation indicated that Buick's main focus was on providing a quiet and comfortable experience.

This philosophy also applies to all Enclave models, which all receive sound-deadening upgrades like acoustic laminated glass, triple-sealed doors, and more absorbent materials. It is a distinguishing factor between the Buick and its platform-mate, the newly redesigned Chevy Traverse, which has a more practical purpose.

With a 120.9-inch wheelbase, the new Buick Enclave also has the same powertrain as the Traverse and GMC Acadia, which both received GM's latest mid-size SUV upgrades. They all feature GM's recently introduced turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine, which produces 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. The new turbo four engine takes the place of the previous 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6, which was matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

This combination propelled the all-wheel-drive 2022 Enclave Avenir from 0 to 60 mph in a decent 6.5 seconds. The Enclave should have comparable acceleration with the upgraded engine and new eight-speed automatic transmission. Most Buick owners aren't likely to slam on the accelerator from a complete stop, but if they do, they will experience a significant amount of torque steer.

Avenir Makes A Strong Impression

We divided our restricted driving time between the Avenir and ST models. The second option traveled on 20-inch wheels that were smaller, supported by regular non-adjustable dampers. Buick claims to offer superior ride comfort compared to the previous year's standard suspension, although it is not as advanced as the Avenir's enhanced adaptive suspension.

Although we didn't notice a distinct contrast in the performance and comfort of the two trims, it was apparent that only the Avenir model of the Enclave offers a true sense of luxury that goes beyond just the ride experience. Buick Enclave transformed into the brand's largest SUV.

2025 Buick Enclave Seen Undergoing Tests In Michigan

The Cool Gray/Slate Blue interior of the Avenir, featuring quilted leather seats in all three rows, left a strong impression on us. The second-row captain's chairs can be adjusted to ensure the comfort of adults in the third row, while the front seats are luxurious thrones featuring heated, ventilated, and massaging cushions. The interior of The Avenir also features classy gold accents outlining the floating center console and door armrests.

The 16-speaker Bose sound system includes speaker grilles that are aesthetically pleasing. Exclusive to the Avenir trim are high-end features like a power-adjustable steering column, dynamic ambient interior lighting, and animated exterior lights. Even with all its luxurious features, the Avenir remains competitively priced. The starting price for the Enclave's top tier is $59,395, just $500 higher than last year.

This is equivalent to a Lexus TX350 Luxury and around $10K cheaper than an Acura MDX A-Spec Advance or a Genesis GV80 2.5T Prestige. While the Enclave's lower trims may lack fancy features and attractive interior elements, they still have something to offer. Each iteration features a curved 30-inch screen that takes up the majority of the dashboard.

Although we would prefer physical buttons for functions such as seat heating, ventilation, lane-keep assist, and the light switch, the touchscreen is responsive and allows for user-friendly customization, including various navigation map displays. The counterintuitive push-button shifter has been swapped out for a column-mounted lever, another victory in terms of ergonomics.

Regrettably, we desire that Buicks, along with other GM vehicles, would improve their integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirroring since they currently do not utilize the screen space effectively. The camera angles that fail to utilize the extra digital space are also subject to this criticism.

Surprisingly, despite being slightly larger in width, height, and length, the Enclave now has less rear cargo space, which is unexpected when trying to make the most of the available room. Buick has reduced the space behind the third row from 24 to 23 cubic feet, and the area behind the second row has gone from 58 to 57 cubic feet.