The 2019 Buick Enclave gets a really punchy powertrain unit that it shares with its rival General Motors counterparts. The powertrain unit is a 3.6L naturally aspirated V6 unit that boasts of producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The power output is pretty linear and hence offers a smooth ride quality with no lack of power at any point. The engine is pretty refined in its working and certainly has some grunt on offer when you need it.
The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission which does the work of going through the gears according to the requirement pretty seamlessly and offers a linear transmission of power without any confusion. Except for the base ‘Preferred’ trim, the rest of the trim levels are available with an AWD drivetrain option which certainly adds to the practicality and utilitarian needs. The performance figures of the Buick Enclave are also pretty decent as it does a pull from 0-60 MPH in 6.7 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile in 15.2 seconds.
Models
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2019 Buick Enclave
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2019 Chevrolet Traverse
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2019 GMC Acadia
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2019 Ford Explorer
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MSRP
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$41,195
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$36,595
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$43,095
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$43,860
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Engine
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3.6L, Naturally Aspirated V6
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3.6L, Naturally Aspirated V6
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3.6L, Naturally Aspirated V6
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2.3L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder
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Drivetrain
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FWD
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FWD
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FWD
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FWD
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Transmission
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9-speed automatic
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9-speed automatic
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6-speed automatic
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6-speed automatic
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Power
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310 hp @ 6,800 rpm
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310 hp @ 6,800 rpm
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310 hp @ 6,500 rpm
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280 hp @ 5,600 rpm
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Torque
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266 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm
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266 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm
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271 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
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310 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
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0-60 MPH (sec)
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6.7
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6.5
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6.7
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6.5
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Quarter-Mile (sec)
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15.2
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14.9
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15.3
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15.0
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Top-Speed (mph)
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130
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130
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130
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130
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Towing Capacity (lbs)
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1,500
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1,500
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4,000
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2,000
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The Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and the GMC Acadia share the same powertrain unit, with the Acadia having a different engine tune and transmission unit. All cars in the class perform similarly with their top speed being at 130 mph and the 0-60 MPH timings being around the 6.7-second mark. The Ford Explorer is the most expensive of the lot, owing to the turbocharged four-cylinder unit offering impressive performance on par with the rival V6s.
How well does the 2019 Buick Enclave handle?
The Buick Enclave handles like a charm, unlike its rivals. The Enclave’s suspension system has the right-tuning done to it that helps the Enclave perform well on and off the road. The ride neither feels too soft nor too swift. There is a good amount of feel and feedback from the steering wheel that makes the driving experience even better.
The FWD version feels more agile on the road to steer, but there is a slight feeling of understeer in tight corners. The AWD, on the other hand, has a stiffer steering response but grips to the road throughout the journey helping you carve out corners and go through rough terrains without a dab of confusion or lack of confidence.
Braking Performance
The 2019 Buick Enclave has a really good weight distribution, and as a result, the braking performance is pretty decent for an SUV of its size. There is enough bite and feedback from the brakes to make you feel confident on the road, and with the help of modern safety aids, the braking performance also inclines towards safe and positive feedback. The front rotors have a diameter of 12.6 inches, while the rear ones are 12.4 inches. With a curb weight of over 4,300 lbs, the Enclave manages to decelerate from 60 mph to a standstill in 127 feet.
Models
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2019 Buick Enclave
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2019 Chevrolet Traverse
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2019 GMC Acadia
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2019 Ford Explorer
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Brake Rotors: Front (inches)
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12.6
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12.6
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12.6
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12.8
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Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)
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12.4
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12.4
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12.4
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12.8
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Curb Weight (lbs)
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4,359
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4,362
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3,956
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4,443
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60-0 MPH (feet)
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127
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127
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125
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127
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Although the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave have a lot in common, including the brakes, the Acadia’s lower curb weight helps reduce its 60-0 deceleration figure by about 2 feet compared to the Enclave. The identical setup of the Chevy Traverse offers similar performance, and despite employing larger brakes in the Explorer, it too has a similar braking distance in the 60-0 mph panic braking test.