A picture perfect family is driving down the road in their stunning new SUV. Dad smiles and hums along as mom sings a song her grandmother wrote. The quiet little angels they call kids in the back seat clap their hands and join in when they recall the tune. What an amazing car trip to Lala Land that was. Let’s come back to reality now. No family is always like that. Certainly not in the car. They may have peaceful moments they treasure, but only after one or two million fights in between. Just like a family, the 2018 Buick Enclave isn’t a flawless SUV, but it is humble, happy, smooth, stylish, comforting, cozy, and treasured for exactly what it is. Here are some of the Enclave’s highlights.
The Good
Style
This model is all about improving. The front is lower to give it a sleek appearance and even uses the Buick logo to split the waterfall-style grille with wide, thin wings. Even the LED headlights add to its overall style points by using LED running lights. Also, it’s no longer bottom heavy so cheers to that lack of growth.
Sleek is an understatement for this vehicle since it has managed to pull off what no other SUV has. From front to back, it telegraphs a perfect cohesion of metal and trimmings to make an overly appealing guise.
Inside the cabin will leave you raving. It’s got a wooden tone that will leave you feeling like you are in a literal cozy cabin but not for long because the brushed chrome accents will make you feel modern flairs. It’s the best combination of tradition and contemporary ever seen in a vehicle.
Comfort
Let’s break this comfort down by using the universal language of math. The Enclave has 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third-row, 58.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 97.6 cubic feet behind the first row. This is almost comparable to a minivan-sized comfort.
The seats are clearly spacious and even leather-appointed. So spread out those legs no matter how long, because this SUV is all about quality comfort at its finest. Add that to Buick’s signature QuietTuning™ tech which keeps the sounds with the help of laminated glass and not double, but triple sealing all doors. Peace and comfort have never been more in style.
Features
With a number of convenient and fun features to choose from for the 2018 Buick Enclave, here are some of the best.
Towing
Up to 5000 lbs. to be exact. Ocean and camping trips will be beyond easy with all the extra cargo space combined with towing. Take a boat, a couple of bikes, or as many skis as you desire.
Powered Moonroof
This world is a majestic place, but sometimes you just need to look up to see it, and where better than while on a comfortable car ride. It’s great to easily open the roof with a press of a button to explore the skies above. Moon, stars, the sun, and the breeze, what could be better?
Hands Full Opening
With a tiny kick, you can get the trunk open without a fuse. Very convenient in a number of situations. From a shopping trip to a family vacation, it can be a lifesaver. Plus, who has the time for a second trip right?
Infotainment System
Buick has got a great system to play music, make hands-free calls and texts, and even access maps with an optional navigation system. Oh and don’t forget 4G LTE WiFi!
The Less Good
Just as a disclaimer, less good in this case does not mean bad. It only implies possible improvements or missed potential in some form.
Fuel
The all-wheel-drive models of the 2018 Buick Enclave are said to be at 17/25/20 mpg. It’s not unthinkable numbers, but it’s also not the best for its class either. For such a family-friendly SUV that personally seems like it could have been more useful for it to be more fuel focused. With all its comfort, style, and space, many will desire to ride this SUV for miles on trips, and they probably won’t want to stop that often.
Performance
The power and performance behind the 2018 Buick Enclave is nothing to be snub your nose at. It has 310 horsepower with its 3.6L V6 engine. It also contains a 9-speed automatic transmission. To add to the positives, it also includes stop/start technology and All-Wheel Drive. It is most definitely one of the smoothest rides your family could possibly want.
Now the less than good part. The transmission has shown to have hiccups at times. It’s not extreme, but it has been reported and is worth noting. Along with that, you are stuck with the start/stop technology, because there is no way of turning it off. These aren’t big problems, but they could be a small deterrent to some.
Safety
It most definitely has all the basic safety technology available. Surround vision, automatic breaks, multiple alert systems, and front pedestrian braking. These are some of the best safety precautions around today, but that understandably may leave you questioning why this was placed in the less good pile opposed to a great pile.
Well, the issue is that these features are not standard. In fact, many only come with the top, and pricier, models. In this case, it seems safety comes with a much more literal cost.
Overall, the 2018 Buick Enclave has a lot of amazing things going for it. It’s comfortable, quiet, smooth, and up-to-date on all the tech this booming world can provide. Honestly, it’s THE premium family SUV. It isn’t perfect, but it certainly proves itself to be a great contender for your affection. This humble ride will always have a cozy spot for you and your family no matter where life’s journey takes you. So buckle up, because it’s going to be a stylish and comfy ride.
