Buick sits within a narrow spectrum of GM’s wide range of brands, striving to deliver products that fall between its mainstream (Chevrolet) and premium (Cadillac) brands in terms of features, style, and power. And while the formula for its longevity often involves plenty of shared parts with its platformmates, the Buick Enclave still manages something unique and somewhat unexpected.
As with the previous generation, this new-for-2025 model is no small crossover. At 208 inches, it is nearly as long as the Chevy Tahoe and notably longer than the Honda Pilot. Thankfully, the styling team didn’t take the bait, and its panels are elegantly free of any faux fender vents, port holes, or feigned dramaticism. The subtle shapes and long styling lines allow the details, such as an upright grille, high-mounted daytime running lights, and separated highlight pods, to deliver the latest Buick styling characteristics.
The rear quarter panel develops a sharp styling line that flows into the tailgate, which bears a number of horizontal styling lines, edges, and panel depths, along with chrome rectangular (real) exhaust outlets, serving up nothing but pure crossover vibes, and free of any (unfair) minivan stigma.
As expected with such a large exterior, the Enclave’s interior is quite accommodating, and it even offers a genuine adult-fitting third row. Of course, some negotiation may be required from those in the second row, as they can slide rearward for their own luxurious amount of legroom. The seatbacks of the rear rows fold flat to provide a smooth loading floor and offer up dorm’s worth of cargo space.
The interior’s most salient feature is its curved one-piece glass screen that houses the driver’s gauge cluster and the infotainment system interface. Its upper corners flare out with a confidence that, unfortunately, isn’t really seen elsewhere in the interior’s styling.
The Enclave limits the number of physical controls for a cleaner look; however, it comes with several painful compromises. Among the most notable are the controls for the headlights, the dome lights, and the power window lock-out function, which are no longer physical controls and are only operable through the touchscreen, which is only on when the vehicle is on.
Other settings, such as the rear HVAC controls, are frustratingly deep in the infotainment system, which is noteworthy because the rear blower motor is mounted in what is effectively an echo chamber, and despite being mounted in the rear of the vehicle, it can intrude on front-row conversations when left in Auto mode.
With the cabin at a comfortable temperature, Buick’s unseen efforts to achieve a quiet interior are largely realized. Conversing with those in the second row while cruising at highway speed doesn’t require raising your voice, though it’s (expectedly) not to the premium brands’ levels.
Around town, the Enclave’s ride is (surprisingly) stiffly sprung and, while it’s far from sporty, it at least helps deliver good overall body control. At highway speeds, the big Buick can take the edge off of the road impacts, but it struggles to fully absorb them. Still, the Enclave is destined for road trips, and GM’s optional SuperCruise system, which enables hands-free (but not attention-free) driving on certain mapped roads, is impressively confidence-inspiring in most typical scenarios where one would normally use cruise control. It’s also different from the hands-on assist systems in that, in addition to the cost of the equipment, SuperCruise requires an OnStar subscription, which costs about $40 per month.
Along with the latest Encalve generation came a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Its 2.5-liter displacement and variable controls help it deliver a strong 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, although the engine needs to run mid-way up the rev range to access meaningful power. And programmed with that information, the 8-speed transmission does what it can to avoid the engine from getting caught flat-footed. Unfortunately, this raised RPM (~3,000) protocol brings a pure industrial sound that penetrates the cabin and is intrusive.
The new Enclave undoubtedly shares much with its Chevrolet and GMC stablemates; however, its styling is successfully unique and Buick. In terms of interior space, overall power, and price ($51k for this mid-level model), the Enclave not only demonstrates its own space within GM but also proves its unique place within the segment.