2008 Buick Enclave Review

The Enclave is an all-new crossover SUV from Buick. Set to replace the Rendezvous, the Rainier, and the Terraza, the Enclave is one of Buick’s boldest releases in the past decade. The Enclave is poised to establish a new face for Buick.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Buick Enclave is an ambitious model, and much of Buick’s future rides on it. It’s a solid vehicle overall, and it is much more refined than the models it replaces. There’s plenty of seating and cargo room, and while it might not quite be a luxury car, it certainly looks like one. You could probably get more for your money from the competition, and the default V6 is rather weak, but overall it’s one of Buick’s better models.

What’s New For 2008:

The Enclave is a new model for 2008. It’s fueled by a 3.6-L 275-hp V6 paired with a six-speed automatic. It can seat at least seven, with a fold-flat third row big enough for an adult. The second row also has a free-of-charge fold-flat bench seat option, which allows for an extra passenger.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power data is not yet available. There have been no service bulletins or recalls issued as of yet. Buick reliability tends to vary quite a bit. Since this is a first-year model, expect some initial kinks. Expect average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

The Enclave earned perfect 5-star government crash test ratings. IIHS data is not yet available. Anti-lock brakes, tire-pressure monitoring, full side airbags, and stability and traction control come standard. Parking sensors are optional, and a rear-view camera is included with the navigation package.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Elegant exterior design
+ Plenty of seating
+ Surprisingly nimble handling

Cons
- Mediocre price/feature ratio
- Unproven reliability
- Some poorly designed controls

Head-To-Head Competition:

The 2007 Mercury Mountaineer Premier costs about the same as the base Enclave, but adds a V8 engine, CD changer, and leather seats. The 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT2 has a larger engine, standard 4WD, leather seats, and a standard roof rack. But it lacks the Enclave’s traction control and side airbags. The 2007 Hyundai Veracruz Limited costs the same but adds a CD changer and leather seats.

What Others Are Saying:

“Its nicely designed interior is as tangible an improvement … as its organic, Coke-bottle sheet metal is compared with their creased lines. It offers carefully selected colors and textures, and it’s well screwed together. The Enclave is still mass-produced, though. The handsome mahogany steering-wheel trim snitches on the veracity of the dash and door-trim ‘wood.’ The wood and the leather steering-wheel rim feels good in your hands, but contrasts harshly with the hard plastic on the back of the steering-wheel hub, and some of the plastic and vinyl grains could be finer.” – Motor Trend

“The $33k-ish (and up) front wheel-drive Enclave offers a considerable amount of value for driver who can appreciate the subtle luxuries within. Actually, ‘near luxury’ pretty much nails it. For significantly less money than its foreign luxury competitors, you can buy a Buick Enclave and pretend you’re driving a mid- to large-sized luxury SUV- only without the handling, performance or reputation.” – The Truth About Cars

“The Enclave actually looks smaller than it is–at 202.3 inches long, with a 119-inch wheelbase, it is similar in size to the monstrous Mercedes R-class. We suspect that the V-6 will be hard pressed to motivate it in any kind of hurry.” – Automobile Magazine

Read more about the 2008 Buick Enclave at the Buick manufacturer web site.