Check Drive: 2023 Buick Enclave Avenir | The Each day Drive
5 min read
2023 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Coloration: Moonstone Grey Metallic
Miles pushed: 359
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | A- |
| Gas Economic system | B |
| Worth | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 310-horsepower 3.6-liter |
| Engine Sort | V6 |
| Transmission | 9-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Noticed gasoline economic system: 18.2 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 17/25/20 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Common fuel
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth: $59,100 (not together with $1395 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Avenir Expertise Bundle ($1595)
Value as examined: $62,090
Fast Hits
The good: Extremely-quiet cabin, class-leading journey high quality
The nice: Ample house for six passengers, upscale inside trappings
The not so good: Characterless dealing with
Tom Appel:
Luxurious has gotten too aggressive. I’m speaking vehicles right here, and plainly each maker of premium autos has gotten busy tarting their merchandise up with go-fast elements, or, extra generally, elements that look quick.
By one estimate, greater than half of all Mercedes-Benz autos bought within the U.S. characteristic a point of AMG (the maker’s efficiency sub model) tuning or décor. Equally, BMW sells extra M (assume AMG) autos than it does non-M vehicles and crossovers.
Even Lexus, purveyor of refined and high-value luxurious autos, has gotten into to the aggressively sporty mannequin recreation, providing F Sport variants of most of its lineup. You may learn our evaluate of the 2023 RX 350 F Sport right here.
It is because of this that I discover the redesigned Buick Enclave so refreshing. Launched for the 2008 mannequin 12 months, Enclave is the biggest crossover within the Buick lineup, and the one one of many model’s fashions to characteristic three rows of seating. Enclave was freshened for the 2022 12 months, and was handled to a number of updates, together with revised entrance and rear styling (together with new headlamp remedies), an up to date heart console that includes a push-button gear selector, upgraded cabin appointments, in addition to out there adaptive cruise management, head-up show, and rear pedestrian detection.
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For 2023, The Enclave is obtainable in three trim ranges: base Essence (beginning round $47,000), midlevel Premium ($54,000), and topline Avenir ($60,000). All Enclaves come customary with front-wheel drive; AWD provides $2900 to the underside line.
Enclave is obtainable solely with a 310 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 mated to a 9-speed computerized. If this mix sounds acquainted that’s as a result of Normal Motors makes use of it in a lot of company merchandise, together with the Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia, and the Chevrolet Traverse.
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Even for the 3-row midsize crossover class, the Enclave is giant. Buyers on this section typically put a excessive precedence on room and luxury, so it’s value noting that the Enclave is among the many largest 3-row crossovers out there. Whereas the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, and Subaru Ascent all journey on 114-inch wheelbases—and the Ford Explorer on a 116-inch stretch—the Enclave, and its Chevrolet cousin the Traverse—characteristic wheelbases of 121 inches. The extra house offers the Buick class-leading 2nd– and threerd-row passenger house.
Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of an AWD 2023 Enclave Avenir that includes the Avenir Expertise Bundle. Our Moonstone Grey Metallic check automobile got here to $62,090 together with vacation spot cost.
The $1595 Expertise Bundle contains the Premium Journey Suspension, Repeatedly Variable Actual Time Damping, and distinctive Avenir headlamps. Nevertheless it’s the chassis upgrades that matter most. Extra on that in a second…
Whereas we typically keep away from subjective evaluations of a automobile’s design, we’re impressed by how nicely the Enclave hides its dimension. It seems neither cumbersome nor lengthy, and the creased horizontal physique parts give the Enclave a tidy and lean look that presents nicely and appears trendy.
Inside, the Enclave Avenir appears to be like cool and complicated. Upscale options embody stitched leather-based sprint trim, grained-wood inserts, and loads of soft-touch surfaces. The muted colour pallet in our check Enclave is perhaps described as austere by some, however we present in stylish and understated.
The Normal Motors-familiar digital touchscreen interface responds shortly to inputs and contains giant, easy-to-interpret icons. Maybe the one infotainment disappointment is the 10-speaker Bose audio system, which although advantageous, doesn’t play on the identical degree as premium techniques present in different luxurious crossovers.
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As for house, Enclave affords up real 6-passenger consolation, that includes customary 2nd-row captains chairs and best-in-class 3rd-row consolation. Notice: The threerd-row bench supplies for 3-abreast seating, however for lengthy hauls we advocate limiting the passenger rely to only 2 people.
On the highway, Enclave impresses most with its quiet cabin and intensely comfy journey. Because of this, we advocate the Expertise Bundle with its adaptive suspension. Certainly, the Enclave serves up the form of serene driving expertise one would possibly count on from a Rolls Royce sedan. That refinement comes at a value; the Enclave shouldn’t be in any approach sporty, and the massive crossover’s handing traits would possibly finest be described as enough. That mentioned, there’s nothing mistaken with how Enclave handles, simply know that this large Buick is extra about freeway cruising than onramp charging.
The powertrain underscores the Enclave’s mission of refinement, serving up loads of quiet, satisfying energy, with little noise and principally unfelt shifts from the silky computerized transmission. Whereas the Enclave is not any ball of fireside, however we discover the Buick’s large V6 vastly preferrable in operation to the customarily coarse turbocharged 4-cylinder engines discovered below the hood of many midsize crossovers today. That mentioned, our noticed 18.2-mpg efficiency over per week of testing was slightly disappointing. That mentioned, not like most luxurious crossovers, the Enclave doesn’t require costly premium fuel.
Like each automobile within the Buick lineup, the Enclave spans the divide between mainstream merchandise and luxurious choices. In Avenir trim, our $60,000-plus check automobile definitely performs in premium-car territory, and acquits itself there very nicely.
In the event you’re not referred to as to decorate up your loved ones hauler with spoilers, rocker-panel extensions, coloured brake calipers, and mildly tuned suspensions, you would possibly do nicely so as to add the Enclave to your test-drive quick checklist. In Avenir trim, Enclave is a cultured, refined, spacious household hauler that appears good, and serves up loads of cargo quantity. It’s simply not sporty, and that’s okay with us.
Fast word: The 2024 Enclave is arriving in showrooms quickly; it’s unchanged from the ’23.
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2023 Buick Enclave Avenir Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged pictures)
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