The Buick Enclave is a three-row full-size crossover that General Motors has built since 2007. It replaced no fewer than three Buicks at once, and it is partially based on the Centieme concept shown at Detroit in 2003.
Buick Enclave at a glance
| Maker | Buick, General Motors |
|---|---|
| Production | since 2007 |
| Class | three-row full-size crossover SUV |
| Platform | GM Lambda (first generation) |
| Sister cars | Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse |
| Seats | seven, or eight with the second-row bench |
| First engine | 3.6 L High Feature V6, 275 hp |
| From 2009 | 3.6 L direct injection, 288 hp |
| Transmission | six-speed automatic |
| Assembly | Delta Township, Michigan |
| Starting price | $32,790 at launch |
| Second generation | 2018, on the long-wheelbase C1XX chassis |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Enclave.
History of the Buick Enclave
The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as a concept, the first Lambda-platform vehicle to be shown. It went into production on 11 April 2007 and reached dealers before the end of that month as a 2008 model.
The first-generation Enclave shared the Lambda platform with the Saturn Outlook, the original GMC Acadia and the first-generation Chevrolet Traverse. It replaced Buick’s whole utility range: the minivan-based Rendezvous, the truck-based Rainier and the Terraza minivan. Its exterior drew on the Centieme concept of 2003, and the familiar Buick VentiPorts returned at its launch.
The car seats seven, with an optional second-row bench raising that to eight, and came with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. For the first year the engine was a 275 hp 3.6-litre V6 with a six-speed automatic; for 2009 it was replaced by a direct-injection version of 288 hp and 270 lb·ft. Early cars were criticised for a hesitant six-speed gearbox, and the Enclave has always been heavy — close to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive.
Demand in the first year exceeded production capacity and GM added a third shift at Delta Township. The 2008 Enclave was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Sales began in the United States and Canada in 2007, exports to China followed in 2008 and the model reached Mexico for 2010.
The 2013 refresh brought a new chrome waterfall grille, xenon headlights with LED running lights, LED tail lamps and a redesigned dashboard with a touchscreen. It also introduced a front centre airbag, which Buick described as an industry first, along with available blind spot monitoring.
The second-generation Enclave was revealed at the 2017 New York show, ten years to the day after the first car was built, and went on sale as a 2018 model. It moved upmarket on the long-wheelbase version of the C1XX chassis, with a 3.6-litre V6 of 310 hp, a nine-speed automatic and a new top Avenir trim. A 2022 refresh added new lighting and a standard driver assistance suite.
Design and features
- Three rows: seven seats as standard, eight with the second-row bench.
- Lambda platform: shared with the Outlook, Acadia and Traverse.
- VentiPorts: the classic Buick styling cue returned with the Enclave.
- Front centre airbag: introduced with the 2013 refresh.
Buick Enclave versions
- First generation (2008–2017): 3.6 V6, six-speed automatic.
- 2013 refresh: new grille, LED lighting, revised interior.
- Second generation (2018–): long-wheelbase C1XX, 310 hp, nine-speed automatic.
- Avenir: the top trim of the second generation.
The Enclave replaced the Rendezvous and the Rainier, and it inherited its styling from the Centieme concept. More Buicks are in the Buick collection.
Sources
- Buick Enclave, English Wikipedia: launch, platform, engines, refresh, second generation
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