Check Drive: 2023 Buick Enclave Avenir | The Every day Drive

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2023 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD

Class: Premium Midsize Crossover

Colour: 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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup.

Large & Tall Consolation

Large Man	A
Tall Man	A

Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	310-horsepower 3.6-liter
Engine Sort	V6
Transmission	9-speed automated
Drive Wheels	AWD

Noticed gas economic system: 18.2 mpg

Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway

EPA-estimated gas 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 take a look at automobile: Avenir Expertise Bundle ($1595)

Value as examined: $62,090

Fast Hits

The good: Extremely-quiet cabin, class-leading journey high quality

The great: 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 automobiles 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 automobiles offered within the U.S. function a point of AMG (the maker’s efficiency sub model) tuning or décor. Equally, BMW sells extra M (assume AMG) automobiles than it does non-M vehicles and crossovers.

Even Lexus, purveyor of refined and high-value luxurious automobiles, has gotten into to the aggressively sporty mannequin recreation, providing F Sport variants of most of its lineup. You possibly can learn our evaluation 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 function three rows of seating. Enclave was freshened for the 2022 12 months, and was handled to a bunch of updates, together with revised entrance and rear styling (together with new headlamp therapies), 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.

Coming Quickly: 2024 Lexus TX

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 commonplace 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 automated. If this mixture sounds acquainted that’s as a result of Basic Motors makes use of it in quite a few 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 massive. Consumers on this phase usually put a excessive precedence on room and luxury, so it’s price 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—function wheelbases of 121 inches. The extra house offers the Buick class-leading 2^nd– and three^rd-row passenger house.

Client Information just lately spent per week behind the wheel of an AWD 2023 Enclave Avenir that includes the Avenir Expertise Bundle. Our Moonstone Grey Metallic take a look at automotive got here to $62,090 together with vacation spot cost.

The $1595 Expertise Bundle consists of the Premium Experience Suspension, Constantly 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 usually keep away from subjective evaluations of a automobile’s design, we’re impressed by how properly the Enclave hides its dimension. It seems neither cumbersome nor lengthy, and the creased horizontal physique components give the Enclave a tidy and lean look that presents properly and appears trendy.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir seems to be cool and complex. Upscale options embody stitched leather-based sprint trim, grained-wood inserts, and loads of soft-touch surfaces. The muted colour pallet in our take a look at Enclave is likely to be described as austere by some, however we present in stylish and understated.

The Basic Motors-familiar digital touchscreen interface responds rapidly to inputs and consists of massive, easy-to-interpret icons. Maybe the one infotainment disappointment is the 10-speaker Bose audio system, which although superb, doesn’t play on the similar degree as premium programs present in different luxurious crossovers.

Photograph Function: 1932 Buick Collection 90 Convertible Phaeton

2023 Buick Enclave Avenir, 3rd row — 2023 Buick Enclave Avenir

As for house, Enclave provides up real 6-passenger consolation, that includes commonplace 2^nd-row captains chairs and best-in-class 3^rd-row consolation. Be aware: The three^rd-row bench offers for 3-abreast seating, however for lengthy hauls we advocate limiting the passenger depend to only 2 people.

On the street, Enclave impresses most with its quiet cabin and intensely comfy journey. For that reason, we advocate the Expertise Bundle with its adaptive suspension. Certainly, the Enclave serves up the kind of serene driving expertise one may count on from a Rolls Royce sedan. That refinement comes at a value; the Enclave is just not in any manner sporty, and the massive crossover’s handing traits may finest be described as satisfactory. That mentioned, there’s nothing improper with how Enclave handles, simply know that this massive 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 automated transmission. Whereas the Enclave isn’t any ball of fireplace, however we discover the Buick’s massive V6 vastly preferrable in operation to the customarily coarse turbocharged 4-cylinder engines discovered below the hood of many midsize crossovers as of late. That mentioned, our noticed 18.2-mpg efficiency over per week of testing was a bit 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 take a look at automobile definitely performs in premium-car territory, and acquits itself there very properly.

When you’re not known as to decorate up your loved ones hauler with spoilers, rocker-panel extensions, coloured brake calipers, and mildly tuned suspensions, you may do properly so as to add the Enclave to your test-drive quick listing. 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 observe: The 2024 Enclave is arriving in showrooms quickly; it’s unchanged from the ’23.

Future Collectibles: 2020 Buick Regal Sportback and TourX