Used 2017 Buick Enclave

Buick’s family-friendly Enclave luxury SUV for 2017 has a lot going for it. Its aging platform remains strong, offering generous accommodations in all three rows and a large cargo area behind the 3rd-row seat. The Enclave’s luxury credentials nearly rival such high-end competitors as the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60, although the Enclave lacks the Audi Q7’s supercharged engine option. However, the 2017 Buick Enclave SUV has a solid price advantage over many of its luxury rivals and a pretty solid resale and reliability record, too. The Enclave delivers one of the most comfortable rides in this class, but in the areas of fuel economy and the latest safety technologies, the Enclave is falling far behind newer SUVs such as the Mazda CX-9.

Driving the 2017 Buick Enclave luxury-crossover SUV reminds us of what Buick does so well. In the case of the 8-passenger Enclave, it’s marrying a smooth and comfortable ride with competent handling, firm steering and excellent brakes. The Enclave’s 288-horsepower V6 isn’t a dynamo of power, but it delivers acceptable levels of acceleration and passing ability on par with the Infiniti QX60 and Acura MDX, although woefully short of the 333-horsepower Audi Q7. During our road test, we found the Enclave’s engine quite agreeable when passing and merging, and even climbing steep mountain passes proved no problem for this 4,700-pound cruiser. Inside, we found the Enclave’s cabin well insolated from outside noise, a result of Buick’s QuietTuning sound suppression. However, when it comes to rounding winding mountain passes, the Enclave takes a back seat to the Mazda CX-9, Acura MDX and Audi Q7.

Step into the 2017 Buick Enclave 3-row SUV and you’ll see a handsome front panel with stylized instrument faces and clean integration of the IntelliLink touch-screen display. The display blends hard buttons and touch-based controls, the latter of which can be finicky to use. Seven-passenger seating is standard, with an 8-passenger setup an option in the two higher trims. The former has two captain’s chairs in the second row, while the latter uses a bench. Legroom is generous even in the third row, as is rear cargo space. Base models have cloth seating, while the two higher trims have leather.

The 2017 Buick Enclave is larger than most of its 3-row crossover-SUV rivals. At nearly 202 inches it has significant road presence. The Buick’s exterior lines are rounded and handsome overall, though not everyone will favor its hump-like rear. Among the more favorable design cues are Buick’s elegant "waterfall" grille in front and big, oblong exhaust outlets at rear. Standard roof-mounted luggage racks add a degree of ruggedness with their practicality and an available power moonroof with fixed sunlight for rear passengers helps bring the outdoors inside. One of the Enclave’s most useful features is its standard power-operated liftgate.

INTERIOR VERSATILITY
Buick’s Enclave SUV for 2017 not only seats up to eight passengers, its brilliantly engineered 2nd-row seats can flip and fold with one-handed operation. The seats also slide forward to create easy access to the third row. Folding both rows creates a cavernous cargo hold.

QuietTuning
Although it may sound like a fancy word for “extra padding,” Buick’s QuietTuning technology actually goes much further. Triple door seals, acoustic laminated glass and unique suspension tuning all work to quiet the Enclave’s plush interior.

Even in base form (Convenience), Buick’s full-size crossover SUV offers significant value. Included are tri-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, a rearview camera with park assist, high-intensity headlights, and an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with a 6.5-inch touch screen and Buick’s IntelliLink system to connect smartphones and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot (subscription required after trial). Mid-trim Leather Group models add the leather, heated front seats and steering wheel, and blind-spot monitoring. Top-line Premium models have heated and cooled front seats, 10-speaker Bose audio and a forward-collision warning system. New Buicks also include two years/24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance.

Traction-enhancing all-wheel drive (AWD) — always a good option for an SUV that may be used in adverse weather conditions — can be had on the two higher trims of the 2017 Buick Enclave instead of the standard front-wheel drive (FWD). Other upgrades vary by trim and include a Bose premium sound system with navigation, forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, a power moonroof with rear skylight, and 19- and 20-inch wheel options. The new Sport Touring with Black Satin accents is available on Enclaves dressed in the higher Leather and Premium trims.

The 2017 Buick Enclave SUV is powered by a smooth but aging 3.6-liter V6 linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Recently revised EPA figures forced Buick to downgrade fuel economy to 15/22 mpg for both front- and all-wheel-drive models. As other SUV competitors become more efficient, those fuel-economy figures are no longer that laudable. For comparison, the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 are rated up to 27 mpg for FWD and 26 mpg for AWD. The Mazda CX-9 earns an estimated 28 mpg with FWD. While the Enclave’s Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia SUV brothers are rated to tow up to 5,200 pounds, the Buick is rated at 4,500. Unlike some premium-gasoline-drinking luxury rivals, however, the Enclave is happy running on regular unleaded.

3.6-liter V6
288 horsepower at 6,300 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg (FWD and AWD)