Goodbye, geezermobile
The phrase that comes to mind when you see the handsome 2008 Buick Enclave for the first time is: “Lexus-like.”
That initial reaction is reinforced when you open the driver’s door and slide into the well crafted interior. Yes, it’s extremely Lexus- like — and deliberately so — for it was the sport-utility vehicles from the premium Japanese manufacturer that Buick designers and engineers had in mind when they developed Enclave.
This newest Buick is the third new General Motors SUV to be built on the Lambda platform, having been preceded by the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. GM prefers to call them CUVs (crossover utility vehicles), but whatever the terminology I think Enclave is the best looking of the trio.
The production Enclave is very close to the concept introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, especially on the outside. At that time, Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design, said Enclave “is a new expression of Buick design. It is youthful and acknowledges the romanticism of classic Buick designs.” Youthful? An interesting choice of words from Welburn, since the average age of a Buick buyer is 65.
Enclave is the first Buick with a chance to lower that demographic in a long, long time. Not since the Grand National of 1983-’87 has there been anything from the 104-year-old marque with so spirited an image.
Buicks are big in China, but many younger North Americans think the brand is as dead as Oldsmobile. Enclave should help change their thinking.
Our test vehicle was a top of the line Enclave CXL AWD, which adds equipment such as heated leather seats, 19-in. alloy wheels, six-disc in-dash CD player and rear parking assist to the list of standard features and $10,400 to the price of a FWD Enclave CX.
And that list of standard features is extensive: dual zone auto climate control with rear seat A/C, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote entry, tilt and telescoping steering column and a power driver’s seat. Dual front airbags are standard as are front side airbags and side curtain airbags. All Enclaves, whether FWD or AWD, come with anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control.
The highly sculpted front end is unmistakably Buick from the three- shield emblem centred in a bright waterfall grille to the stylized portholes positioned on the edges of the hood behind really cool high intensity discharge headlamps.
Interior fit and finish are excellent. The pebbled vinyl and smooth leather surfaces reek of quality, with just the right touch of woodgrain and chrome accents. By my count there are eight cupholders and 16 bins and pockets in which to stow things, and I’m sure I missed a few. I especially like the centre console storage bin that slides fore and aft and is an effective and comfortable armrest for drivers of all sizes.
All Enclaves are powered by a 3.6-litre, DOHC V6 that generates 275 hp at 6,600 rpm and 251 lb.-ft. of torque 3,200 and is linked to a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. On the road this is a quiet yet powerful drivetrain with 0-100 km/h acceleration in the eight-second range. It’s surprisingly economical, too, for a big rig weighing 4,950 lbs., and I averaged 11.5 L/100 km in town and country driving.
Properly equipped, Enclave can tow up to 4,500 lbs.
On the road a luxury vehicle should be quiet, and Enclave is. There is little wind noise around the window seals and CLX models benefit from Buick’s special Quiet Tuning package to further isolate the cabin from road noise.
Enclave CXL is as functional as it is good looking. It’s one of the few seven-passenger SUVs or CUVs I’ve encountered that has a rear seat that adults can access with ease. This is because the twin bucket seats in Enclave’s middle row cleverly slide and tilt to let passengers clamber back to an unusually roomy third-row split bench seat. I guess they call them Smart Slide seats for a reason.
With the third-row bench upright, luggage space is a generous 18.9 cu. ft. When second and third rows are folded, cargo capacity increases to a whopping 116.2 cu. ft. The headrests on the third row can be flipped forward, which I’d recommend if you want unrestricted vision through the rear windscreen, and the cargo compartment is easily accessed by a power liftgate that raises at the touch of the handle.
Overall, whether it’s the base FWD CX at $40,895 or the loaded AWD CXL at $51,295 Enclave represents good value for the money. Friends and neighbours will think you spent a lot more.
And no longer will they write you off as a geezer because you bought a Buick.
Summary
MSRP range: $40,895 - $51,295
Test vehicle (price): 2008 Buick Enclave CXL AWD ($49,895 before taxes)
Layout: Front engine/all-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 3.6L V6/6-speed automatic
Horsepower: 275 hp at 6600 rpm
Torque: 251 lb.-ft. at 3200 rpm
Options: engine block heater, $100; deletes rear cargo net, (-$65); deletes Bose speaker system and rear audio controls, (-$1,435)
Destination charge: $1,200
EnerGuide ratings (city/hwy): TBD
Observed economy: 11.5 L/100 km (24 mpg) in highway-city driving
Fuel required: Regular unleaded; 83-litre capacity
Warranties: 4 years/80,000 km comprehensive; 5 years/160,000 km powertrain; 5 years/160,000 km roadside assistance; 6 years/unlimited corrosion perforation
REPORT CARD
Performance: A
Ride: A
Handling: A
Brakes: A
Front seats: A
Middle seats: A
Rear seats: B-
Cargo capacity: A+
Enclave vs. GMC Acadia vs. Saturn Outlook
Find a dealer that will sell the Buick Enclave
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