Non-members can see only five Buick Enclave reviews per section.
Join us and see them all.Why the Buick Enclave?
Quietness: The Enclave is very quiet and feels solid.
Front seat comfort: Very comfortable seats for long trips. Lots of adjustment
Powertrain performance: Even though the Enclave is rated at a lower HP, it's noticeably faster. It doesn't tow as much as the Durango, but the 7.9 sec 0-60 feels quite a bit faster than the 8.5 for the V6 Durango.
Exterior styling: Even after 5 years on the market, The Enclave it one of the most attractive cars in it's class
Handling: The Buick has a much more car-like ride. The Durango had a trucklike, but also very stiff ride. The Durango was pretty rough riding at lower speeds over broken pavement. The Enclave soaks up bumps at all speeds.
Why Not the Dodge Durango?
Front seat comfort: There was very little bolstering on the sides of the seat bottoms. I was not able to find a comfortable seating position in the Durango
Exterior styling: The Durango looks good from some angles, but from the side it looks awkward. It was evident to me that they stretched the Jeep Cherokee, and it just doesn't flow well
Powertrain performance: On paper the Pentastar V6 looks speedy, but it just doesn't seem to have much power when you punch it. It's adequate, but I think it's limited by the gearing and 1 less gear than the Enclave
Available features: For the money, the Durango had a lot of nice features. I liked the memory seats, the pushbutton start, and the nice interior lighting. The ride, seating, and a few other things outweighed that for me though.
Handling: Very trucklike. Not a bad thing if this is what you are looking for, but I prefer something that feels a bit smaller than it acually is, and something that handles like a car.
Why the Buick Enclave?
Interior styling: Nice dash layout.
Like the color of wood grain trim
Like color options
Ride smoothness: Very smooth, even over rough roads
Quietness: Very quiet and don't have to increase volume on radio at hwy speeds. No wind noise unless a very strong side wind and then only minimal.
Reliability & durability: Have owned two Enclaves now and no major problem in 46,000 miles total.
Exterior styling: Large vehicle that doesn't look that large.
Aerodynamic styling
smooth flowing lines
Nothing else quite so elegant on the road in this size.
Nice optional wheels so don't have to buy aftermarket
Why Not the Honda Ridgeline?
Ride smoothness: Don't dislike the ride smoothness. Rather this is a strength.
Quietness: Again this is a strength as is very quiet on the interior.
Reliability & durability: ONly problem I've had in 62,000 miles is the intermitant airbag light comes on.
Driving position & visibility: C pillar blind spot. Otherwise, I really like the driving position.
Rear seat room & comfort: Nothing and is a strength. My golfing buddies love to ride with me.
Why the Buick Enclave?
Ride smoothness: smooth ride with confidant handling
Materials & workmanship: for the money the nicest looking and richest interior in the field.
Quietness: In a vehicle with so much going on the quietness is commendable. Little outside noise intrudes into the passenger compartment.
Exterior styling: One of if not the best looking crossover vehicles out there today
Powertrain performance: smooth and quiet with reasonable fuel mileage
Why Not the Honda Pilot?
Exterior styling: clunky looking, more trucklike
Quietness: fine around town, Awful on the highway. It vibrates and the passenger cabin is loud. I think this vehicle needs more developement in the NVH area. Hondas noise cancelling technology doesn't impress me.
Control design: Too many buttons on the center stack with a confusing layout.
Powertrain performance: Not very smooth. Works hard at 70-75 MPH, fuel mileage suffers at interstste speeds
Dealership practices: Two trips to dearlership for the same problem, still not fixed.
Why the Buick Enclave?
Powertrain performance: Fast, responsive, smooth, fun to drive.
Cargo capacity & towing: Ample room with 3rd row folded.
Brand reputation & image: Buicks, and GM, are known to be reliable.
Quietness: Blocks out most common road noise and vibration.
Exterior styling: Elegant, beautiful, smooth, stylish, unique, bold, timeless, American.
Why Not the Pontiac Bonneville?
Cargo capacity & towing: Not enough room for a family of 4 to travel on a trip.
Rear seat room & comfort: Entry and exit a little difficult, not much room with a child car seat installed.
Front seat comfort: Passenger seat not comfortable on long trips, without the optional power seat.
Handling: Pulls to the right. Has, since new.
Powertrain performance: Has a little hesitation when during full throttle starts.
Why the Buick Enclave?
Exterior styling: Smooth, flowing lines. Not straight and boxy like most vans.
Why the Ford Flex?
Color choices: I fell in love with Cinnimon Metallic. I believe they have a strong line of color choices available.
Available features: It would be easier telling you what I don't like then it would to tell you about what I like. Basically... bumper to bumper - it is easy to fall in love with the Flex.
Price or payments: I feel that this is a decent vehcile for the cost.
Exterior styling: The Flex is a unique vehicle in it's styling escaping from the cookie-cutter styles that are commonly seen today.
Fuel economy: I am currently averaging 20 MPG overall with heavy highway use. For the size of vehicle I think that is rather reasonable.
Why Not the Buick Enclave?
Price or payments: The price seemed a bit high, however, this is a top notch vehicle.
Exterior styling: The exterior seemed cookie-cutter to me. Don't get me wrong, the attention to detail was there, however, the same basic styling is used on many other models.
Why the Ford Flex?
Exterior styling: I ended up buying an Ecoboost Flex. I love the style. Many don't but I like unique cars. Ours is Black with black rims, and a limo tint. Silver roof, 3M bra and 20 inch rims.
Powertrain performance: This vehicle is very quick. Everything else we tested seemed second rate. Smooth and easy to drive in the city, but it is the ultimate family cruiser.
Audio & nav systems: Easy to use. SYNC is simple and once you set up the voice recognition - very straight forward. Love the lifetime Sirus too.
Price or payments: Price was right and we ended up with a 2 year bumper to bumper FORD extended warranty, with unlimited K.
Available features: We have EVERY feature except the DVD. The self parking feature is pretty wild. Heated seats in the back keep the kids happy. Easy access to the rear with power rear seats.
Why Not the Buick Enclave?
Audio & nav systems: Same dash/stereo as in our old 2007 Equinox. What a joke.
Price or payments: Far too expensive. We looked at feature to feature and same year and the Enclave was anywhere from 5-10 K more.
Cargo capacity & towing: Unlike the Flex, the third row seats only fold forward. The flip and fold of the Flex increases cargo capacity when all 3 row are needed.
Color choices: Gold - really?
Why the Nissan Murano?
Exterior styling: everything
Interior styling: Everything
Handling: Peppy drive train
Reliability & durability: first nisson,but son has altima and no problems yet.( 3 yrs old)
Materials & workmanship: everything
Why Not the Buick Enclave?
Reliability & durability: G.M. reputation
Price or payments: 5 - 7 thousand more then murano
Fuel economy: Fuel economy is good for suv this size.( As big as Tahoe )
Brand reputation & image: G.M. has problems with all vehicles
Materials & workmanship: Cost- to exspenive for same or better in murano
Why the Honda Odyssey?
Cargo capacity & towing: Lot's of room for stuff behind the third row, larger usable space interior with seats down/out.
Available features: The Touring model is loaded with darn near anything I'd want in a vehicle. The Voice Nav, bluetooth, power doors, memory seating, all were well implemented. It's an Acura of Minivans.
Materials & workmanship: Very nice interior, well placed controls, good fit and finish. Small details done well throughout.
Reliability & durability: Based on friend's experiences and Honda in general, is a dependable vehicle.
Rear seat room & comfort: I'm going to be having a family of SEVEN soon, and needed the most space with ease of entry and cargo behind the third row. The Odyssey wins this contest hand's down.
Why Not the Buick Enclave?
Reliability & durability: My past GM experience hasn't been all that good. Reading long-term ownership experiences in common blogs identify some major mechanical problems I wouldn't expect in a new vehicle.
Price or payments: Price was higher than the van, mostly I believe due to higher demand for crossovers than vans.
Fuel economy: It's lower, but not drastically out of character. The tranny seems to be a weak point, providing adequate mileage for sub-par performance.
Insurance & depreciation: Don't know of any GM vehicle that does well in depreciation. Insurance costs also higher.
Why the Buick Enclave?
Cargo capacity & towing: I love the way the hitch receiver is out of sight until needed, and the hidden rear compartment is a great place to stow the hitch. As much cargo space as much larger SUV and you can really get 7 people in this vehicle.
Available features: It has every feature you could want.
Exterior styling: Great lines, everything looks like it belongs, lines connect well from all angles, nothing out of place.
Interior styling: Classy, nothing tacky, great lines, well postioned controls.
Discounts & incentives: Great time to buy, buyers market.
Why the Buick Enclave?
Exterior styling: Looks better than other Lambda's
Quietness: With Quiet Tuning it is very Quiet
Ride smoothness: Rides smoother than other CUV's
Rear seat room & comfort: More room than competing CUV's
Available features: Like options available
Why Not the Buick Enclave?
Price or payments: Higher than most
Insurance & depreciation: Depreciation higher because of GM status
Why the Buick Enclave?
Cargo capacity & towing: With seats folded flat there is not too much you cannot load in the vehicle. With seats up, comfortable seating for 7 real-sized adults. Well thought out.
Exterior styling: Smooth attractive aerodynamic shape suggesting power and sophistication. Definitely does not resemble older "stodgy" Buick styling yet gives a sense of quality.
Powertrain performance: Rapid response of the Direct Injection engine without the "buzzy feel" of most large V-6 engines and the weird vibration their 120 degree timing gives the driver.
Fuel economy: More than reasonable for a 5000 lb vehicle. Benefits of aero design ( for an SUV ) and six speed transmission both contribute.
Ride smoothness: Independent Rear Suspension makes it ride like a car not a truck.
Why the Buick Enclave?
Powertrain performance: Smooth acceleration, plenty of reserve power
Cargo capacity & towing: Minivan-comparable without the stigma
Quietness: Easily THE quietest care I've ever owned
Ride smoothness: Luxurious
Why Not the Buick Enclave?
Fuel economy: Well under (15-20%) below the EPA ratings, though the engine is STILL brand new (<400 miles total).
Insurance & depreciation: More expensive to insure than I'd hoped
Price or payments: I'd like EVERY car to be priced lower than it is
Why the Buick Enclave?
Available features: OnStar
Standard HID Headlights
Standard memory seats, mirrors & steering
Standard Heated Front Seats
Standard Power Liftgate
Standard Bluetooth Hands-free
Available Steerable Headlights
Available Heated & Cooled Seats
Interior Layout, Stor
