Best prices and deals on the 2012 Buick Enclave.
MSRP: $36,600
The Buick Enclave has only been around since the 2008 model year. It replaced one minivan, the Terraza, and two SUV’s: the Rendezvous and the Rainier. It shares GM’s very successful Lambada platform with the GMC Acadia and the Chevy Traverse. The Enclave is positioned as the most luxurious of the three, and has a more aerodynamic-looking exterior.
The Base is the lowest of four trim levels. In what appears to be the “tradition” du jour at Buick, all trim levels higher than the base all have the word “group” in them.
The 2011 Buick Enclave Base is a full-size, 7-seat, large crossover SUV. It has a 3.6 liter V6 engine that produces 288 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. It has 19-inch alloy wheels, front-wheel drive, and a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. It is rated at 17 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and has a maximum towing capacity of 4500 pounds.
The Base Enclave comes with a leather-and-wood, tilt-telescope steering wheel that houses the audio and cruise controls. It also has an 8-way power driver’s seat with height and lumbar adjustment, a 2-way front passenger seat with height and lumbar adjustment, cloth upholstery, captain’s chairs in the second row, a split-folding bench seat in the third row, full-power accessories, air conditioning, keyless entry, 12-volt outlets in the front, rear, and cargo areas, a universal remote transmitter for the garage door, 3-zone climate control, leather and wood trim on the shift knob, console, dash, and doors, simulated alloy trim on the doors, a rear power liftgate door, turn signals in the side mirrors, automatic xenon headlights, and foglights.
The audio system has 6 speakers, AM/FM/satellite radio, a 6-CD/MP3 player, and an audio jack. There is also a trip computer and Bluetooth.
The Enclave also has side front airbags, side curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, antilock brakes, and GM’s patented OnStar emergency communication system. The Enclave hasn’t been tested by the US government yet, but it got perfect scores of good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in front, side, and rear impacts, and roof strength tests.
Conclusions and driver feedback:
Buick got a little stale for a few years, but GM is putting a lot of effort into updating their perception in the eyes of the public. Not only is the exterior of the Enclave very attractive, the interior is among the best in the class. The design is very attractive without sacrificing functionality, the parts are all high-quality and soft-touch, and the controls are easy to use and understand. The leather and wood trim lend an old-school air of prosperity.
There is a lot of cabin space, too. All three rows have plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room. In addition, the seats themselves are very comfortable and supportive, especially the first two rows. The third row is comfortable for three normal-sized adults, too, which is a rarity in its class. There is a total of 119 cubic feet of cargo space if you fold down the two rear rows, and 19 of it is behind the seats altogether. Also, the two Captain’s chairs can be traded for a second-row bench seat, allowing an 8-seat capacity.
The Enclave does a great job of providing a strong suspension while also giving very responsive handling. Thanks to the electronic assist, the steering is much easier and responsive than one would expect on a large crossover. The suspension handles the weight fine, and can feel almost sporty in the corners. The Enclave has enough power and torque to accelerate nicely while cruising smoothly at highway speeds. The ride quality is as good as you can expect. The cabin is quiet, and there is no road feel.
All in all, the base Enclave is a very nice crossover for the money. It is great for large families or anyone who wants to haul a hearty amount of passengers or cargo. It is comfortable for long trips or short commutes.
The verdict: highly recommended.
Other trims, options, and miscellaneous caveats
We chose the base trim because it has plenty of features and conveniences. It is a great choice for someone who wants a luxury SUV at a reasonable price. The Enclave offers a lot more buttons and bows for those who want to climb up the luxury ladder, though.
The second trim is the Convenience Group, starting at $37,520. For your $920, you get rear parking assist, a rear camera, and remote starting.
The third trim is the Leather Group, starting at $39,715. It adds 8-way heated power driver’s seat, 4-way heated power front passenger’s seat, driver memory settings, and, of course, leather upholstery.
The top of the line is the Premium Group, starting at $43,080. This upgrades you to 19-inch chrome wheels, a 115-volt power outlet, heated and ventilated front seats, heated, power-folding outside mirrors, a power-adjustable steering column, and a premium 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Bose system also adds a USB/iPod input and rear seat headphone jacks.
There are plenty of options. Among them are a navigation system, a rear seat entertainment system, a dual-pane sunroof, and 20-inch chrome alloy wheels.
There are some weak points to the Enclave: even though the steering and suspension are great, its size can make it cumbersome for some to steer. Rear visibility could be better, too. Also, the chrome elements in the trim can reflect the sun into the driver and front passenger’s eyes under the wrong circumstances.
On the positive side, besides the overall luxury ambiance, the mileage is the best in its class, and the crash test scores are great.
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