2014 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is a sophisticated and handsome fascia that introduces itself with some changes in its tech-ends and safety aids. It is offered in 3 trims: Convenience, Leather, and Premium for 2014 in two drive layouts for each at a starting price of $38,890 for the primitive one which can be increased to $48,465 with the best of its abilities. The SUV rivals the likes of Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, and Volvo XC90.

The 2014 Buick Enclave comes in three formats: Convenience, Leather, and Premium. The Convenience has been adorned with the 18" painted aluminum wheels which get bigger and better in the Leather and Premium trims with the 19" aluminum and 19" chrome-clad aluminum wheels respectively. 

Moreover, the transition does occur on the seat wrapping as well. Memory function for the seats has been also integrated across the trims. The Leather trim gets the theft-deterrent system and PASS-Key III intelligentsia while the Premium trim adds Universal Home Remote along with them.

The Buick Enclave is armed with exemplary safety aids which include the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert along with Bose Sound System which has a supreme bass but that is specific to the Premium trim only. The temperature is maintained with an assisting Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control. There are some inspiring packages as well like the Hit the Road Package, Trailering Package, and Buick Interior Protection Package but can cost you extra bucks.

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We recommend you to buy the Leather trim, as it has balanced pricing for all the necessities which you may ask for as an owner. The blend of power-heating and cooling along with other added interactive entertainment units would be as satisfactory as the higher one except for the Bose Audio. But tell you what, the saved money can be put in use to go through extra packages to enhance the appeal.

The 2014 Enclave comes equipped with the same 3.6L V6 engine irrespective of the trim level. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to the front wheels as standard. You can also opt for an AWD drivetrain configuration. The powertrain generates 288hp and 270 lb-ft torque, which is enough to maneuver any tough terrain and even satiate your thirst. It aids the Enclave to hit 60mph from a halt in just 7.5 seconds and helps reach a quarter-mile in 15.9 seconds at a speed of 88 mph. 

Further adding to that, the Enclave also has a respectable towing potential of 4500 pounds which makes it a generous one among all. In terms of pricing, the XC90 and Enclave are the cheaper alternatives. The MDX is the most expensive but does justify itself with its performance on paper as well as on-road. The Enclave follows the MDX with its performance figures and offers the best value when it comes to cost-effective performance.

The 2014 Enclave has a high capacity V6 which returns a not-so-impressive mileage of 17, 24, and 19 MPG in the city, highways, and combined respectively. The AWD drivetrain layout even drops the numbers by about 1 MPG or so. But thanks to its 22-gallons fuel tank, it is capable of covering a range of 528 miles which is one of the best in the segment. It compels us to think a bit beyond the limit and imagine what would be the figures with an imaginary CVT as well.

The Enclave is the least fuel-efficient of the lot while the MDX returns the best just like its performance curve. On top of that, the latter is capable of 546 miles of range which means one is entitled to a long duration of exhilaration. The XC90 and Enclave are comparable for what they are cost for. But, these figures can be improved if the mid-rev band can be reduced down. 

The 2014 Enclave’s cabin is pretty impressive for its practicality and spaciousness. The seating height and cushioning, both are content. The richness is intensified with the Titanium Deluxe trimming which can be upgraded to perforated leather packaging for the seats in higher trims. Power adjustable and power-ventilated with memory function expands its wingspan altogether. The steering, on the other hand, gets Mahogany wood accents along with tri-zone automatic climate control around the cabin for ambiance soothing.

The Enclave is capable of seating 7 in a roll and can keep them away from the engagement with the outer world with its sound-proof cabin. Others have that same 7-seating arrangement while an 8-seating is optional for the Enclave. It offers the best passenger volume and space in all three rows with admirable head and legroom. It also offers the best cargo capacity of 23.3 cu-ft. The MDX, unlike other segments, lags behind it as the third row can accommodate no more than children and the cargo capacity also struggles. Standout interior features:

• Power Heated and Cooled Front Seats with Driver Memory.
• Mahogany Wood-Accent Steering Wheel.
• Sunroof
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Sound-proof cabin

How intuitive is the 2014 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system?

The 2014 Enclave comes equipped with a 6.5” high-resolution touch LCD which is programmed with Buick IntelliLink software. The IU is built with AM/FM/HD radio service, CD Player, and Mp3 playback. Voice activation and Bluetooth Audio Streaming, Pandora Internet Radio, and Stitcher Smart Radio are some of the other features included with the infotainment. You also get a 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio. However, in the Premium model, you get a premium audio system by Bose and an 8” display along with headphone jacks for the rear seats. Standout infotainment features:

• 6 speaker stereo
• 6.5” touch LCD Buick IntelliLink.
• 3-month SiriusXM radio subscription.
• Dual Rear Seat 8” displays with headphone jacks.
• Premium Audio System by Bose.
• Internet Radio by Pandora and Stitcher.

You know it’s an Enclave just by looking at it. Buick has done a praiseworthy job when it comes to the SUV’s exterior design. Though the design language remains untouched, the Enclave maintains that boldness on its wide front. The frame rests on the 20” Ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels and 18” painted Aluminum wheels, both of which go well along with the dark-accent coloring options. The Buick badging in the center of the front looks contrasting on the background grilles. For extra luggage or loading, it has been given the chrome-accent rails on top of the roof as well.

The Enclave is the heaviest car in the comparison, and also happens to be the biggest one in terms of size. The heavy size and hefty dimension make it difficult to maneuver, but it comes with a good amount of ground clearance, which can come in handy in off-road terrains. The Acura MDX, simultaneously, is the lightest and also the smallest machinery because of which it is able to set a benchmark with its high power-weight ratio but needs to improve in its ground clearance limit and the same goes for the QX60. Standout exterior features:

• 20” Ultra Bright Machined Aluminum Wheels
• Articulating Headlamps
• Dual-outlet stainless steel exhausts.
• Chromed side rails

The Buick Enclave comes equipped with all necessary safety features and driver assistance aids. The SUV is based on GM’s Lambda platform which is basically nothing but an aluminum frame on a high-grade steel platform which gives you a tensile-brittle nature combination in the end. It has performed well in the crash tests; the NHTSA has given it 5 stars and the IIHS has rated it an overall “Good”. The cabin has baggage of advanced and safety features like the Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Parking Assist along with the airbags surrounding the occupants all around. Standout safety features include:

• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Parking Assist 

The Buick Enclave is a feature-packed SUV that stands between being a daily driver and a luxury SUV. It has got handsome looks, a well-built deluxe cabin which can accommodate 7 people with adequate room, a powerful engine and some best in class safety features. Being priced at nearly $39,000, it justifies itself well and shows why it ranks on the podium in the segment.