Buick’s Enclave full-size crossover utility vehicle, which entered its second generation two years ago, returns for 2020 with no major changes but a few style and technology updates.
The starting price remains at $40,000 for the base front-wheel-drive Preferred model, and prices top out at $55,800 for the all-wheel-drive Avenir model. Avenir is the recently introduced premium sub-brand for Buick.
Our test vehicle was the all-wheel-drive Essence model ($44,000). Essence is the next step up from the Preferred and is available with front-wheel drive, beginning at $42,000.
For 2020, there is a new Sport Touring package ($1,695) for the Essence model, bringing a monochromatic exterior featuring a unique sport grille with body-color surround and 20-inch bright machined-aluminum wheels with contrasting satin graphite pockets. This option was included on our tester.
Also added was the next-generation Buick infotainment system, including a new 8-inch-diagonal touch screen, standard on all trim levels, with available connected navigation.
Other new features include an optional new HD rear vision camera (included as standard equipment on our Essence model) and an HD surround vision system. A new four-way power lumbar seat adjuster with a driver and front passenger massage feature are standard on Premium and Avenir models.
With the recent makeover, there were no radical exterior changes from the first generation, so the new generation is easily recognizable as an Enclave. But it is roomier inside and can seat up to seven passengers comfortably, even adults. There is a more-muscular appearance, with fewer curves, and it is more aerodynamic, for improved fuel economy.
The roofline is lower, the windshield angle is more pronounced, and there is a longer wheelbase that allows for the increased interior space. LED lighting was added for 2018, including projector headlights and taillights.
The Avenir treatment, which is offered in other Buick vehicles as well, is meant to represent “the highest expression of Buick luxury,” the automaker says. It includes unique styling cues — such as the Enclave Avenir’s special three-dimensional mesh grille — along with more standard amenities, premium materials and an up-level suspension with continuously variable real-time automatic damping.
All Enclave models are powered by a normally aspirated 3.6-liter V-6 engine rated at 310 horsepower and 266 foot-pounds of torque. It is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine propelled our Enclave quite well, including drives around town and for a weekend trip that included some well-maintained unpaved state and national park roads.
Our vehicle’s standard Quiet Tuning cabin noise-reduction system brought active noise cancellation, designed to block and absorb noise. That made our Enclave very quiet inside, even at highway speeds and on some unpaved roads.
We had seating for seven, with two bucket seats up front, two captain’s chairs with a center aisle in the middle row, and a three-person 60/40-split power folding bench seat in the rear.
With the redesign, the Enclave retained its generous third-row space, particularly the legroom, which makes that seat nearly as comfortable for adults as for children. This is one of the few big crossovers that can achieve that.