The Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV first launched in 2008. The Enclave, the GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, officially as a concept car, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the Buick Centieme concept shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.
The Enclave replaced both of Buick's SUVs, the minivan-based Rendezvous and the truck-based Rainier, as well as the Terraza minivan. As of February 2014, the 2014 Enclave was the top-ranked Affordable Midsize SUV in U.S. News & World Report's rankings. The second-generation Enclave is set to be officially revealed at the 2017 New York Auto Show.
First generation (2008â€"2017)
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Features
The Enclave has seating for seven passengers, with an optional second row bench seat instead of the standard two captain chairs which increases the seating to eight. It comes standard with front-wheel drive with an option of all-wheel drive.
The Enclave shares powertrains with its Lambda siblings. For its first year of production, the Enclave was powered by a 275 hp (205 kW) 3.6 L High Feature V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. For the 2009 model, an upgraded power boost for the 3.6 L V6 Direct Injection Spark Ignition VVT is now at 288 hp (215 kW) and 270 lbâ‹…ft (370 Nâ‹…m) of torque standard (also standard on other 2009 Lambdas). The latter direct-injection engine offers a broader torque curve, and brings fuel economy to 17 mpgâ€'US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpgâ€'imp)/24 mpgâ€'US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpgâ€'imp) for FWD models and 16 mpgâ€'US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpgâ€'imp)/22 mpgâ€'US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpgâ€'imp) for AWD models, according to the new United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The Lambda vehicles are built at GM's new Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing, Michigan, and production of the Enclave commenced on April 11, 2007, with the first vehicles reaching certain dealers by the end of the month. The Enclave debuted with a starting price of $32,790.
The Enclave is often praised for its subsequently vast cargo space while maintaining the relatively dynamic nature of unibody construction over the conventional body-on-frame. It is also praised for being one of the quietest vehicles available for sale in the United States, as well as for the quality of the interior.
In its first year of production, the Enclave was often criticized for its 6-speed transmission, which was "hesitant to downshift." For 2009, though, the powertrain is regarded as more competent with more abundant torque. For its entire production, it has been regarded as too heavy, weighing nearly 5,000 pounds (2,300Â kg) with all-wheel-drive. Buick's VentiPorts have reappeared at the Enclave's introduction, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to 1949.
Initial sales of the Enclave have been very strong, with demand far exceeding production capacity, forcing GM to add a third shift to the Delta Township plant.
With the arrival of the Buick Envision (which is slotted between the Enclave and Buick Encore) to North America in 2016 (for the 2017 model year), the Enclave will be bigger after Envision's debut, and the 2017 model year Enclave will be the last under the first generation platform.
2013 facelift
GM unveiled the 2013 Buick Enclave on April 3, 2012, one day before its official debut at the New York Auto Show. The 2013 model features revised exterior styling including a new chrome waterfall grille, xenon headlights with LED running lights, LED Foglights, and LED taillights. Interior updates include a redesigned dashboard with more soft-touch materials, wood and chrome accents, blue ambient lighting, and touchscreen IntelliLink infotainment display. Among safety features are seven standard airbags, including an industry-first front center airbag, and available blind-spot monitoring.
Markets
Sales in the United States and Canada began in 2007 during the 2008 model year. In 2008, General Motors began exporting the Enclave to China, to be sold through Shanghai GM's Buick network.
The Buick brand has been relaunched in Mexico for the 2010 model year, bringing the Enclave to that market.
Second generation (2018â€"present)
On April 11, 2017, exactly 10 years after the first Enclave was produced, Buick unveiled the second generation Enclave at the Pier 59 Studios during the 2017 New York Auto Show. With the introduction of the mid-size Buick Envision in 2016 and the launching of the Opel Insignia-badged Buick Regal TourX wagon, the next generation Enclave moved upmarket, competing with the Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX60, and Acura MDX in the premium crossover SUV market.
The long-wheelbase version of GM’s C1XX chassis sharing the same platform with the Chevrolet Traverse, the second generation Enclave moves away from the egg-shaped design but retains some elements of the previous generation, displaying a sleeker aerodynamic appearance, a lower roofline, and the introduction of the Evonik Acrylite exterior forward lighting flanking Buick's new three-dimensional mesh grille with chrome wings. Powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission, it will produce 310 hp (231 kW) with 266 ft⋅lb (361 N⋅m) torque. The second generation Enclave will come in standard Front-drive or available with Intelligent AWD with an active twin-clutch rear differential, which will compliment Its first switchable all-wheel-drive system. There will be three level trims, including a new top of the line premium Avenir sub-brand, when it goes on sale in the Fall of 2017.
Sales in the United States
Awards
The Enclave received the Best New SUV / CUV (over C$60,000) from the AJAC in 2008.
References
External links
- Enclave Large Luxury Crossover - Official Site
- www.enclaveforum.net The largest dedicated Enclave Forum on the web
