2018 Buick Enclave

The 2018 Buick Enclave is now completely refreshed and offers more than it ever has. This Buick is now powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that outputs 310 hp and has a torque output of 266 lb-ft. A 9-speed automatic transmission and FWD are standard on every Enclave. This Enclave should be quicker than the previous models, as the Enclave has also lost a few hundred pounds for 2018. The ride quality is comfortable and relaxed. The Enclave has now improved its interiors even more, and there are standard features on offer that are optional or not on the base trim on some rival cars.

The Enclave starts at $39,995 and comes in four trim levels. Where the Enclave still needs improvement is in terms of its fuel economy. It's still average by segment standards. The advanced safety features are only on the top-spec Enclave, and not even optional on the lower trims. Also, the Top trim can get quite pricy. There is no dearth of competition for the Enclave. The 2018 Buick Enclave faces serious competition from the 2018 GMC Acadia, the 2018 Honda Pilot, and the 2018 Acura MDX.

The 2018 Buick Enclave is available in four trim levels: the base Enclave, Essence, Premium, and Avenir. The pricing for the trims starts at $39,995 and goes up to $55,800 for the top trim. The standard drivetrain configuration is of an FWD, but AWD is available as an optional extra as well. It costs $2,000 over the standard costs. The AWD is not available on the base trim. Standard features across all trims include LED headlights, keyless entry and ignition, remote engine start, adjustable second-row captain chairs, 60/40 split-folding third-row seats, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The optional packages include a heavy-duty tow package, Avenir Technology package, and the Adaptive suspension package. Stand-alone options include a navigation system, grille shutters, sunroof. None of these are available on the base trim, and are only for the higher trim levels.

We Recommend

The 2018 Buick Enclave Premium trim is the one we recommend. It has a lot of creature comforts on offer and comes with more efficient and advanced safety systems as well. At $46,300 for the AWD variant, it is a value for money offering for the Enclave and a must buy.

“The 2018 Buick Enclave has strong acceleration, and handles like it cares about the road ahead." - TheCarConnection

2018 Buick Enclave Engine and Transmission

The 2018 Buick Enclave is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that outputs 310 hp @ 6800 rpm and has a torque output of 266 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm. This engine comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. As standard, the car gets an FWD configuration, but AWD is available as an option at an extra cost of $2,000. There is an increase of 22 hp and a decrease of 4 lb-ft over last year.

The 2018 Buick Enclave has a refined engine that delivers power in a linear manner, and the transmission is slick, with smooth shifts. There are also paddle shifters and a shift lever for semi-manual operation. The gearbox shifts precisely and neat even under sudden full throttle inputs, and that's a big plus.

All four cars get FWD as standard, with AWD being an option. The Acura is the most expensive of the lot, at $44,200. It also shares most of its mechanicals with the Honda Pilot. The Acadia and the Enclave have the most power output at 310 hp, whereas the Acadia has the most torque at 271 lb-ft. The peak torque hits the earliest on the Enclave, at a low 2800 rpm.

2018 Buick Enclave Acceleration

The 2018 Buick Enclave with the 3.6L V6 and FWD sprints from 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds, and hits the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds. With the AWD, the car sprints from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and takes 15.2 seconds for the quarter-mile. The top speed of the Buick is rated at 131 mph.

The Enclave is the slowest of all, even in the quarter-mile run. The Pilot sprints from 0-60 the quickest thanks to its less weight and a responsive gearbox. The Acura has the best quarter-mile time of 14 seconds. The highest top speed is on the Acura again, at 155 mph

2018 Buick Enclave Handling and Steering

The 2018 Buick Enclave handles very well. The car's new upgrades in terms of output horsepower, a better transmission, and lower weight have all come together to provide a very controlled and on-point experience. The driving dynamics have improved overall, and it's now a pleasure to drive the Enclave.

The car's electric power steering is precise and the car turns without much effort. There is feedback from the steering, thus inspiring confidence always. The car uses a strut suspension in the front and a five-link suspension in the rear. There's not much body roll, and the suspension works well at absorbing most undulations.

2018 Buick Enclave Braking

The 2018 Buick Enclave takes 120 feet to stop from 60-0 mph. The car is equipped with ventilated 12.8-inch brake rotor in the front and a 13-inch brake rotor in the rear. The car's weight of 4359 lbs is well-managed, but there's nose dive present under emergency braking.

The Pilot has the best braking performance, taking only 119 feet to stop. The Enclave is one foot behind. The MDX takes 123 feet to stop from 60-0 mph, and the Acadia is the slowest to brake at 126 feet despite having the least weight. The largest front brake is on the Enclave. The Acadia has the smallest front and rear brakes.

2018 Buick Enclave Towing Capacity

The 2018 Buick Enclave has a low tow rating of 1,500 lbs. With the optional Trailer-towing package, the Buick's towing rating can be increased up to 5,000 lbs.

The GMC Acadia has the most towing capacity at 4,000 lbs. The Pilot and the MDX both have a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Acadia has a 5,200 lbs maximum towing capacity. The Pilot and MDX have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.

The 2018 Buick Enclave FWD returns 18 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The AWD Enclave returns 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. This is pretty average by segment standards. The standard Buick Enclave has a range of 349.2 city miles and 504.4 highway miles with its 19.4-gallon tank. The AWD Enclave has a fuel capacity of 21.7 gallons, which gives it a range of 368.9 miles in the city and 542.5 miles on the highway.

The four cars offer similar economy figures, but the Honda and the Acura are slightly ahead with their 22 mpg combined mileage. They are also the most efficient overall. The Acadia is the least efficient on the highway. The range on the Pilot and the MDX is the most, at 370.5 city miles and 526.5 highway miles. The GMC Acadia has a range of 342 city miles and 475 highway miles.

“The 2018 Buick Enclave doesn't look the part, but its more minivan than SUV.” – TheCarConnection

2018 Buick Enclave Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Buick Enclave's interior is well-finished. The interior fit and finish are excellent,  with premium materials all around. The buttons and controls are arranged logically, with strong build quality. The car's cabin has a complete makeover from the previous generation. There is good cabin storage- a wide storage box in front of the gear-shifter, deep pockets in the door, and cup-holders in the central area. Higher trims use exclusive colors, and this improves the overall ambiance.

The Enclave can seat up to 7 passengers. The seats in the Enclave are well-cushioned and offer good support. The front seats have lots of adjustability on offer. The headroom and legroom in the front are big, and long journeys will not be a problem at all. In the rear, the seats are captain seats, with reclining and sliding functionality. The rear row is not very massive, but two adults can fit in with just enough comfort. Visibility throughout the cabin is decent, with a good view front and side. There is a blind spot in the rear around the C-pillar. Ingress and egress in the Enclave are easy, thanks to the large and wide doors.

The Acadia seats 6 people, whereas the Pilot seats up to 8 people. The internal dimensions of the four cars are quite similar, but there are differences. The front headroom is the most in the Enclave, and the MDX has the maximum front legroom. In the middle row, the Honda Pilot has the most headroom, whereas the GMC offers the most legroom. In the third row, the headroom is the most on the Pilot and the Enclave has the most third-row legroom. Some interior features on the Buick Enclave are:

• Keyless entry and ignition
• Three-zone climate control
• Heated power-adjustable front seats
• Driver-seat memory settings
• Cabin air ionization system
• Premium leather upholstery

2018 Buick Enclave Infotainment

The 2018 Buick Enclave's infotainment system sees no changes from last year. The IntelliLink system is one of the cleanest and direct systems in this segment. It's simple to use, and the touchscreen is responsive and has no lag. The Buick Enclave has a long list of standard infotainment features, which includes an eight-inch infotainment screen, USB ports, WiFi hotspot, 4G LTE, OnStar communications, and a 6-speaker sound system.

Some other infotainment features are:

• Wireless charging pad
• 10-speaker Bose premium system
• Satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Bluetooth connectivity

2018 Buick Enclave Cargo

The 2018 Buick Enclave has a large cargo capacity offer. The standard cargo capacity is 23.6 cu-ft. With the rear row folded, this capacity increases to 58 cu-ft. The maximum cargo capacity on the Buick stands at 97.6 cu-ft. Also, the Enclave has a 3.1 cu-ft cargo well under the cargo floor.

Maximum cargo space is less compared to last year. The loading height of the Enclave is not too tall, but the load floor is not too flat. The Enclave has roof rails as well, for some more luggage hauling. The hands-free power liftgate makes loading easy.

Rivals offer a comparatively much lower cargo capacity as compared to the Enclave. The Acadia has a standard capacity of 12.8 cu-ft, whereas the Pilot and MDX have capacities of 18 cu-ft and 14.9 cu-ft respectively. Coming to maximum cargo space, the MDX has the least cargo space of 68.4 cu-ft. The Pilot's maximum cargo capacity stands at 87 cu-ft. The GMC can hold up to 79 cu-ft of maximum cargo storage.

"The restyled 2018 Enclave looks like the published version of the first-generation SUV's early draft."- TheCarConnection

The Buick Enclave's exterior has been completely redesigned for 2018. This SUV replaces its curvy design with a more sharper profile and fewer body curves. The front now sports a lower and slimmer nose, with more details. The headlamps have gotten sleeker, and the grille now sports a thick chrome lining on the upper half with the Buick logo in the center. The hood also has got a flat texture, which looks clean and attractive. Along the side, one notices the car's long length and there's just great detailing all along the length. The windows finish with a chrome lining that flows from the side mirrors to the tail, which also sweeps up towards the tail. The wheels portray an artistic design, and the curved wheel arches suit the profile. At the rear, the car has a very unique taillight design,  which tends to grow on you the more you look at it.

This taillight area is finished with a metallic strip that runs from one taillight to the other. The rear flaunts a twin exhaust setup, and the end pipes have a metallic finish. The all-new Buick has had some changes to its dimensions. It's lighter, slightly longer, has had a little reduction in width, and is shorter in terms of height than the 2017 model. The Enclave's wheelbase also has grown by around 2 inches. The 218 Enclave has a curb weight of 4359 lbs, with a wheelbase of 120.9 inches. The car is 204.3 inches long, 78.8 inches wide, has a height of 69.6 inches, and sits 7.7 inches away from the ground.

The Enclave's proportions overshadow its rivals. The GMC Acadia has the least curb weight of 3956 lbs, whereas the Enclave is the heaviest of the lot. The Enclave also has the most length. The remaining cars are very similar in terms of length, around 194 inches. The Pilot has a width of 66.3 inches, the narrowest in the comparison. The Enclave is the widest. The Pilot has the most height. In terms of ground clearance, the Acura sits the closest to the ground, whereas the Enclave sits the most away from the ground. The Enclave has the longest wheelbase, whereas the Pilot and the MDX have the tightest wheelbase.

Some exterior features on the Enclave are:

• Roof Rails
• 18-inch/20-inch wheels
• LED headlights with Buick's Evonic Acrylite Lighting
• Sunroof
• Remote engine start
• Grille shutters
• Adaptive suspension

The 2018 Buick Enclave bags top safety scores from the NHTSA and the IIHS. The NHTSA gave the Enclave an overall rating of 5-stars, with a 4-star rating for the rollover test. The IIHS also rated the Enclave with a rating of 'Good' in most tests. Standard safety equipment list includes forward-collision warning, rearview camera, parking sensors, ABS, airbags, traction control, stability control, and remote anti-theft alarm system.

Some other safety features are:

• Rear-cross traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Low-speed forward collision mitigation
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning and intervention
• Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control

2018 Buick Enclave vs 2018 Acura MDX

The 2018 Acura MDX is a premium luxury offering. It gets a 3.5L V6 engine that outputs lower power and torque than the Enclave, but the Acura also weighs less than the Enclave. As a result, both the cars offer similar performance, powerful V6 engines, and very controlled handling. The MDX has a slightly better fuel economy than the Enclave.

The interiors on both the cars are quite premium and there's loads of interior space. Tons of features are offered in both cars. However, the Enclave has more cargo space that has a lot of versatility. The Enclave and the MDX both have top safety ratings and are well-equipped as well. The Enclave however is more affordable and has lower ownership costs as well.

2018 Buick Enclave vs 2018 Honda Pilot

The 2018 Honda Pilot is a strong competitor of the Enclave. The Pilot's 3.5L V6 engine is not as powerful as the Enclave's, but the Pilot's transmission and driving dynamics puts it on par with the Enclave. With a lighter weight, the Pilot zooms ahead in performance runs against the Enclave. The Honda and the Buick have similar driving dynamics as well. The Honda Pilot has a better fuel economy.

Coming to the interior, the Enclave's second and third row offers more legroom than the Pilot. Also, the Enclave has a larger cargo capacity as well. However, the Pilot can seat 8 passengers, one seat more than the Enclave's 7 seating capacity. Both the cars have a similar safety rating and reliability. The Honda, however, is $5,000 less than the Enclave, and this also means lower ownership costs.

The 2018 Buick Enclave comes with much-needed upgrades, that now make this SUV better than ever. The Enclave makes more power than ever, has improved on its handling dynamics, and there is a good amount of improvement in the already decent ride quality. The interiors of the Enclave have improved from last year, although there are a few plasticky bits that look bad. The car gets a gorgeous exterior, and also comes with top safety ratings. The Enclave, however, has seen no improvement to its fuel economy, and the advanced safety driver assistance features are only on the upper trims which is a letdown. However, at a price of $39,995, the Enclave is bang on value for money, and a sure car to pick in this new avatar.

Also Read:

• Check out another rival of the Buick Enclave: the Chevrolet Traverse
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2018 Buick Enclave FAQs

How much does the 2018 Buick Enclave cost?

The 2018 Buick Enclave FWD costs $39,995, with a $975 destination charge.

Is the 2018 Buick Enclave a reliable car?

The 2018 Buick Enclave has an overall rating of 83/100 from J.D. Power.

How many miles will the 2018 Buick Enclave last?

The Enclave will last for around 200,000 miles.

What is the ownership cost of the Enclave like?

The annual maintenance cost of the 2018 Enclave comes around $720.

Is the Buick Enclave a luxury SUV?

Yes, the Enclave is a luxury SUV.