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Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 Buick Enclave by Cordell Koland It appears that Buick finally has a hot vehicle. And I don’t mean someone torching his wheels for the insurance money. GM’s Buick division, which has had a hard time selling anything in the mid-luxury minivan, SUV, and Crossover markets―such as the gone and forgotten Terraza, Rainier, and Rendezvous―now has a vehicle, the Enclave in short supply . In the evolution of the SUV, it appears that so-called SUV crossovers, such as the Enclave are winning the day based on better gas mileage and the fact that they are not built on heavy-duty truck frames. Crossovers are constructed on lighter platforms and designed to haul lots of people and their possessions and perhaps a modest trailer. But don’t think of pulling a big trailer or going boulder bashing off road. But be aware, as crossovers have added content, they have bulked up in weight―and the Enclave is a case in point. Generally, luxury crossovers are sold to affluent couples or families who spend a lot of time commuting, hauling the kids around, socializing and traveling. The interior should offer plenty of interior space. It should have the look and feel of a luxury sedan complete with most of the amenities one might expect in a Cadillac or Mercedes-Benz. The Enclave CXL is the top model. The options of note were $995 Luxury Package of such items as steerable headlights and tilt and telescope steering wheel. The $3,000 entertainment system buys satellite navigation, rear entertainment and Bose speakers. High-style chrome wheels add $1,495 and power sunroof lists for $1,300. So how does the Enclave stack up? First off, the basic interior seems very well designed. The dashboard and instrument placement show a flair for design and also a good grasp of ergonomics, which should be paramount. The lines and basic surfaces are visually expressive. The materials appear first rate for a domestic product. >From the exterior, this is one beautifully styled vehicle―the best Buick visually in decades. Our photo shows a profile that has interesting detail, yet is well-proportioned and clean in execution. I particularly admire the Coke-bottle effect of the two character lines that subtly outline the large wheel openings. This is beautiful work. The hood has some nice detail to suggest that something powerful lurks below. Oh if it were so. The heart of a V-6 engine beats below the hood in the Enclave―thoroughly modern in execution and power delivery, but hardly exciting. However, it certainly represents a competitive engine for this segment. But when you are pushing around an all-wheel-drive crossover that has an unloaded weight of 5,000 lbs. and could easily put another 1,000 lbs or more on board, we’re talking adequate, but unexciting, power. But those are the dictates of the current market in terms of fuel consumption considerations. Oh yes, the Enclave is able to run satisfactorily on regular unleaded gasoline, which should please the budget conscious. Power is delivered through a new six-speed automatic transmission that is flawless in executing its routines, including downshifts for passing. The Enclave is available in CX and CXL trim levels, with eight exterior and three interior colors. The buyer has the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive on both models. The Enclave can be configured for seven or eight passengers depending on set up of second and third rows of seating. The Smart Slide second-row seat control eases access to third-row seating and tri-zone climate control cools the huge space―both are must-have standard features. The interior hauling capacity is substantial with 115.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row when all rear seats are folded. Buick claims the Enclave has more maximum cargo volume than the Lexus RX350, Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, and the Acura MDX. Despite the Enclave’s basic heft, it is reasonably maneuverable. The ride quality is very well controlled and comfortable over most road surfaces. On the other hand it is not designed as a sports SUV so don’t expect to execute any driving gymnastics or expect exquisite driver feedback. The Enclave has two very important traction technologies, stability enhancement and traction control, which can keep the vehicle from slipping, spinning or even a vehicle turnover under extreme conditions. Vehicle:
Buick Enclave CXL
Price as tested: $43,530 Engine: Type: 3.6-liter V-6 Horsepower: 275 @ 6,600 rpm Torque: 251 lbs.-ft. @ 3,200 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City 16 mpg Highway 22 mpg Curb Weight: 4,985 lbs.  Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
