Four years after its introduction, the Buick Enclave remains a strong competitor -- and a strong seller -- in a tough segment. To quantify the latter point, consider that Buick has sold 23,998 Enclaves through the first five months of the year, compared with 18,821 Acura MDXs, 2112 Lincoln MKTs and 3872 Audi Q7s. Those sales would be in addition to the 33,526 mechanically identical GMC Acadias that were sold predominantly through the same dealer network during the same period.
The Enclave's styling, in my opinion, remains a big factor behind its appeal. It's expressive and instantly identifiable as a Buick -- something that cannot be said of the "globally" developed LaCrosse and Regal -- but isn't overdone, as is the case with the Lincoln MKT. That theme continues inside, where the simple round gauges and tasteful wood trim don't say GM parts bin.
Most important, the Enclave drives really well for a proper seven-seat vehicle. The steering has just the right amount of weight and feedback for a vehicle of this size, and is very accurate. The suspension doesn't crash over bumps but doesn't float, either.
There are a few places where the Enclave shows some gray hairs. The in-cabin technology, for instance, looks and feels every bit like it's been on the market four years, even though it has, in fact, received updates like Bluetooth connectivity. Keyless ignition isn't an option, something I might not have noticed if not for the very antiquated-looking keyless entry remote. On a more substantive note, I wonder if GM should consider expanding the engine lineup. No doubt, the 3.6-liter V-6 will appeal to the majority of customers in this segment and for good reason, as it offers a nice balance of respectable efficiency and smooth power. But with the Dodge Durango offering a V-8 on one end and Ford preparing the four-cylinder Explorer on the other, perhaps GM should follow suit, at least on some of its Lambda SUVs.
