Essence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Avenir 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Overall Rating
(1 reviews)I have an amazing car
Alvin Gill • Feb 19, 2024
4.0Yes I love the car I picked it's good on miles and it's enough room for me and my kids I love the fact that it's smooth riding and also good on gas mileage I just love my car the performance on it is amazing...Read More
Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Avenir 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Convenience Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Premium 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Avenir 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Essence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Avenir 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Essence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Avenir 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Overall Rating
The 2018 Buick Enclave aims to recapture its position with a better exterior, luxurious interiors, and a plethora of standard techs.
After a decade of introducing the world with the first Enclave, Buick finally breathes-in new life it as it enters its second generation. The Enclave is one of the few SUVs that set the standard for the class, but over the years, newer, more powerful, and more luxurious brands took over. The 2018 Buick Enclave aims to recapture its position with a better exterior, luxurious interiors, and a plethora of standard techs.
Everything under the hood has changed but there still aren't a bunch of choices. Power is provided by a new 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horses of power and 266 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is also a new 9-speed automatic. With these newly made changes, Buick is trying to build on the success of the outgoing generation while still adding all the modern technology and amenities that buyers now expect.Â
To get the most out of the 2018 Buick Enclave while keeping the costs in check, we recommend the Premium trim. It adds features like ventilated driver and front passenger seats, low-speed forward collision mitigation, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, driver seat position memory, power-folding third-row seats and an upgraded 10-speaker Bose audio system. Some top safety systems like automatic braking system, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist and front park sensors are available as standard in the Premium trim.
Leather Group 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Leather Group 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Essence 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Essence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Essence 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
Alvin Gill
2018 Buick Enclave
••4.0Posted On: February 19, 2024
Rides smooth, Decent on miles
.the color .seat don't fold, .the seats .wish it had trunk space
Yes I love the car I picked it's good on miles and it's enough room for me and my kids I love the fact that it's smooth riding and also good on gas mileage I just love my car the performance on it is amazing
The 2018 Buick Enclave aims to recapture its position with a better exterior, luxurious interiors, and a plethora of standard techs.
After a decade of introducing the world with the first Enclave, Buick finally breathes-in new life it as it enters its second generation. The Enclave is one of the few SUVs that set the standard for the class, but over the years, newer, more powerful, and more luxurious brands took over. The 2018 Buick Enclave aims to recapture its position with a better exterior, luxurious interiors, and a plethora of standard techs.
Everything under the hood has changed but there still aren't a bunch of choices. Power is provided by a new 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horses of power and 266 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is also a new 9-speed automatic. With these newly made changes, Buick is trying to build on the success of the outgoing generation while still adding all the modern technology and amenities that buyers now expect.Â
The 2018 Buick Enclave comes in 4 trim levels: 1SV, Essence, Premium, and Avenir. All the trims are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The base 1SV trim can only be had with an FWD drivetrain, while all other trims can be upgraded to AWD.
| Trims | Enclave 1SV | Essence | Premium | Avenir |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP (FWD) | $40,990 | $45,245 | $49,095 | $54,495 |
| MSRP (AWD) | N/A | $47,295 | $51,395 | $56,795 |
| Features | Available OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot (limited trial). | Perforated leather-appointed seats | Includes or replaces features on Essence, plus: | Includes or replaces features on Premium, plus: |
| Buick Infotainment System with 8″ diagonal color touchscreen | Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert | Bose premium 10-speaker system | Unique exterior/interior styling | |
| Keyless open and push-button start, remote engine start | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Second-row heated seats | Buick Infotainment System with Navigation | |
| Heated driver and front passenger seats | 3-month trial of Sirius Satellite Radio | Ventilated driver and front passenger seats | Wireless charging | |
| Heated steering wheel | Power dual moonroof with rear fixed skylight | |||
| Safety Alert Seat | 8″ diagonal reconfigurable driver information center | |||
| Front Park Assist | Surround Vision with a full display inside rearview mirror | |||
| Power-fold third row seats | ||||
| Power steering column |
Even at the base level, you get a lot of features that would suffice most buyers. The Essense trim adds additional safety features, while the Premium adds more luxury. The top-of-the-line Avenir trim, which can be considered the Denali of Buick family, adds an intelligent twin-clutch AWD system, much like the Cadillac.
We Recommend
To get the most out of your Enclave while still restricting the cash flow, we recommend the Premium trim. It adds features like low-speed forward collision mitigation, driver seat and mirror position memory, and an upgraded Bose audio system.
The standard powertrain of the Buick Enclave comprises of a 3.6-liter V6 engine with VVT (variable valve timing) and a new 9-speed automatic transmission. Power can be put to the ground by one of the three drivetrains. The base trim is exclusively front-wheel-drive while the Essence trim can be chosen between front-wheel-drive or the traditional all-wheel-drive. The Premium and the Avenir trims also start with the front-wheel-drive but they can option on the intelligent twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system that is shared with Cadillac. The refined powertrain helps the Enclave to have smooth and quick acceleration. The transmission is smooth with no juddering, which is a huge improvement over the previous Enclaves.
| Models | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $39,995 | $35,995 | $30,900 | $ 44,200 |
| Engine | 3.6L V6 SIDI VVT Gas engine | 3.6L V6 SIDI DOHC Gas engine (VVT) | 3.5L i-VTEC V6 Gas engine |
3.5L V6 Gas engine |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Power | 310 hp @ 6800 rpm | 310 hp @ 6600 rpm | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm |
| Torque | 266 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm | 271 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm | 262 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm | 267 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm |
The Enclave and Acadia are at par on almost all grounds, but Acadia is cheaper and generates more torque than the Enclave. The Honda twins, the Pilot and the MDX deliver less power and torque than Enclave’s engine, The Pilot is available at a cheaper cost, while the Acura MDX costs almost $ 5,000 more than Enclave, being the most expensive SUV in this segment. Also, both the Enclave and the MDX benefit from a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic while the Acadia and the Pilot are stuck with their old 6-speed automatic.
The 3.6 liter V6 with VVT technology makes sure you get the most out of the engine. The 9-speed automatic transmission is smooth and provides seamless acceleration. The 2018 Buick Enclave’s agility is enough for your daily drives, quick enough, but not ludicrously high, or deafeningly loud.
In a 0-60 mph test, the 2018 Enclave takes 6.4 seconds, a full second faster than last year while the quarter-mile run is completed in 15.1 seconds. Its engine also has the ability to top the Enclave up to 130 mph.
| Models | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-60 mph | 6.4 sec | 6.8 sec | 6.0 sec | 6.8 sec |
| Quarter mile | 15.1 sec @ 84 mph | 15 sec @ 90 mph | 14.6 sec @ 95 mph | 14.0 sec @ 100.2 mph |
| Engine | 3.6L V6 SIDI VVT Gas engine | 3.6L V6 SIDI DOHC Gas engine (VVT) | 3.5L i-VTEC V6 Gas engine | 3.5 L V6 Gas engine |
|
Top Speed |
130 | 115 | 130 | 155 |
Surprisingly, the underpowered Honda Pilot twists the tables in this segment. It is the quickest vehicle to reach 60 mph followed by the Buick Enclave. The smooth transmission allows the Enclave to be faster than cousin GMC Acadia in the 0-60 mph test but almost catches up with the Enclave on the quarter-mile mark. The Acura MDX is slower at first but beats the Enclave’s quarter-mile timing by almost a second.
The 2018 Buick Enclave is a big SUV, and expecting it to drive like a sports car is just setting yourself for disappointment. But surprisingly, the Enclave drives with a composed grip around corners with almost no body roll. The Enclave handles quite well especially if you engage the all-wheel-drive system because it does feature torque vectoring rear axle. The last generation Enclave was known for its supple ride even on broken pavement and rougher roads and even though this generation of the Enclave has become sportier, they haven't forgotten about customers that are looking for a comfortable ride in a three-row crossover.
The steering is tight, yet it is easy to turn the wheel. The Enclave’s top trims also have the option of an adaptive suspension system, which further improves the ride quality. The electric-assist power steering has an active return assist feature that gives the steering a lighter touch while driving.
The 2018 Buick Enclave has a satisfyingly firm brake pedal that is both reassuring and capable. No matter your speed, the Enclave provides sharp body control thanks to its firm suspension as well as four-wheel disc brakes and its linear stopping power. In the brake test, the 2018 Buick Enclave stops from 60 mph to zero in 120 feet, which is definitely less than the outgoing model. A stopping distance of 120 feet is respectable considering the heavyweight and size of the Enclave.
| Model | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake pads Front (in) | 12.8 | 12.6 | 12.6 | 12.6 |
| Brake pads Rear (in) | 13.0 | 12.4 | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Curb weight (lbs.) | 4359 | 3956 | 4288 | 4001 |
| 60-0 MPH (ft.) | 120 | 126 | 119 | 123 |
No wonder that the Honda Pilot's braking system is too strong. It just takes 119 feet to stop in a smooth manner. The Enclave is heavier than most of its competitors, and that heavy curb weight helps in obtaining a stopping distance of 120 feet. With a braking distance of 123 feet, the Acura MDX grabs the third spot on the table while the GMC Acadia sits on the last stand.
With a rating of a mere 1,500 pounds, the base towing capabilities of the 2018 Buick Enclave are well below average. In contrast with the outgoing model, GM has significantly raised the towing capacity of the Enclave by 500 pounds. Thankfully, a new trailer-towing package is available this year. The package adds additional cooling amongst other enhancements that elevate the towing capacity to a respectable 5,000 pounds.
| Model | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (lbs.) | 5,000 | 5,200 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Power Train | 3.6L V6 SIDI VVT Gas engine | 3.6L V6 SIDI DOHC Gas engine (VVT) | 3.5L i-VTEC V6 Gas engine | 3.5 L V6 Gas engine |
| Drive Train | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
Although Enclave raises its towing capacity to 5,000 with the towing package, the rivals innately match or surpass these numbers. GM’s other crossover, the Acadia, has a maximum capacity to tow 5,200 pounds, while the Hondas match Enclave’s ratings. But still, it was a good upgrade by GM to keep up with its rivals.
As compared to the Enclaves of yesteryears, the Buick Enclave has improved its fuel economy ratings by 3 MPGs. One of the reasons for this better fuel economy is the addition of the new auto start-stop function. In FWD, the crossover gets 18mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. In AWD, these ratings fall by 1. One thing worth noting is that the AWD system can be disconnected by just a press of a button on the dashboard. It causes the rear axle to disconnect improving your fuel economy. Hence, if you choose an AWD model, you may actually get identical fuel economy to the FWD model in real-world driving. Owing to the fuel tank capacity of 19.4 gallons, the Enclave can deliver a combined range of 426 miles.
| Model | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPG city | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| MPG highway | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
| MPG combined | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 |
| Fuel Capacity | 19.4 | 19 | 19.5 | 19.5 |
| Range (City/Highway/Combined) | 349/504/426 | 342/475/408 | 371/527/449 | 371/527/449 |
Only a few in class can match Enclave’s excellent fuel economy. The Honda Pilot matches Enclave’s numbers, but the Acura MDX is a few of those who actually put better city mileage numbers. With just a small difference in the fuel tank capacity of the Pilot in contrast with the Enclave, the former offers a more combined range. Even the GMC Acadia also offers decent fuel economy in spite of hiding a small fuel tank in this segment.
The old Enclave had decent exteriors, but time has taken its toll on the interiors. Thankfully, the 2018 Buick Enclave bears no resemblance to the previous generation. The cabin looks more like Cadillac’s now. The Premium and Essence get perforated leather in shale, black, or brandy color. The 1SV comes only in black, and the Avenir comes exclusively in chestnut interiors.
The center console holds a container, and removing the container reveals a much deeper pit. In front of the console, the area under the shifter is hollow, which can easily store a handbag. The traditional shifter is also replaced with an electronic shifter, which is easy to use. You can also change gears manually with the paddle shifters.
With captain’s chairs in the second row, the 2018 Buick Enclave can accommodate 7 people. This is the only way you can get the Enclave. The Premium and the Avenir trims have memory seats. The standard driver’s seat is an 8-way power-adjustable with 2-way power lumbar. The passenger’s seat is 6-way power-adjustable with 2-way power lumbar.
The base model has cloth upholstery and heated front seats. The higher trims add leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The seats are roomy and comfortable, except for the third row, which struggles to accommodate 3 adults. The second-row seats can slide front and back.
| Model | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) | 42.6/62.4/41.2 | 40.3/59.4/41 | 40.1/62/40.9 | 38.1/61.1/41.4 |
| Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) | 39.9/61.7/38.9 | 39.6/58.7/39.7 | 40.2/62/38.4 | 38.3/59.1/38.5 |
| Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) | 37.6/57.3/33.5 | 37.2/54.3/31.1 | 38.9/57.6/31.9 | 35.6/54.7/28.1 |
Being an 8-seater, the Honda Pilot offers enough headroom in the third-row but still, it may feel cramped for six-footers. The rest of the competitors fall under the same category of interior room. It is also important to note that the Enclave is the quietest three-row crossover in this segment and it's possible with the help of active noise cancellation system. It easily belongs to the luxury segment in terms of overall cabin quietness.Â
Although the 2018 Buick Enclave received substantial upgrades in almost all aspects, the infotainment system remained unchanged. The Enclave still uses the on-going version of Buick’s IntelliLink system. There is not much to complain about, though. The system is responsive and includes modern amenities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Still, a complete redesign should have included an infotainment system like the one used in the new Cadillac. The Enclave has a highly connective infotainment system. Services like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, OnStar, 4G LTE WI-FI on AT&T service, etc. make for an entertaining trip. The standard setup has a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system. HD Radio and a 10 speaker Bose audio system are also available.
One of the biggest reasons to buy one of GM's large three-row crossover is the cargo area. Cargo space is generous in the new 2018 Buick Enclave. It provides better storage than most in the class. With 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, the Enclave easily offers class-leading storage volume. Under the load floor, there's almost enough room to put a 22-inch roller bag and that doesn't mean that Buick has skipped the spare tire because you'll find that even further down. by folding the third row, you get access to 58 cubic feet and maximum space of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The 2018 Buick Enclave easily thwarts the competition. It is also easy to load cargo into the Enclave. The hands-free power lift gate is standard in all trims. To further ease the process, Buick projects its logo right under the sensor where you have to wave your foot. The floor of the rear cargo area also lifts up to reveal even more cargo area.
| Model | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behind 3rdRow(ft.cube) | 23.6 | 12.8 | 18 | 14.9 |
| With 3rd row folded (ft. cube) | 58 | 41.7 | 47.7 | 38.4 |
| With 2nd row folded (ft. cube) | 97.6 | 79 | 87.0 | 68.4 |
The 2018 Buick Enclave offers an unmatchable cargo capacity in the entire class. The closest to the Enclave is the Honda Pilot with a maximum cargo capacity of 87 cubic feet. The Acura MDX may have good storage volume with all the seats upright but the GMC Acadia takes lead in the numbers when the seats are folded down.
Interior Features
The 2018 Buick Enclave comes loaded with a list of extensive features. The base model gets limited features but the higher trims unlock all the top interior features. Here is a list of the standout features in the 2018 Buick Enclave’s cabin:
Standard gauge with 4.2-inch multifunction display
Exclusive features include:
After 10 years of the production of the first Enclave, Buick steps into the second generation of Enclave with all-new design and features. The very first thing that comes to notice is the keyless open and go, along with remote start, which was not present even in the top trim till last year is now standard across trims. The 2018 Buick Enclave also grew in length, and now stands at 204 inches. In the front, the Enclave wears the new Buick waterfall grille with a horizontal chrome strip running across.
This grille comes with the bottom 3 trims. The Avenir gets its own special grille with a dark chrome mesh, based on the Avenir concept car. The parking lamps and the turn signals sit low near the base of the vehicle. From the side, the place of portholes has been taken by functional fender vents. The back of the vehicle has a nice chrome accent that runs across the back and leads into the taillights. The roofline sits lower and the windshields get a more aerodynamic flow.
| Model | Buick Enclave | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curb Weight (lbs.) | 4359 | 3956 | 4288 | 4001 |
| Length(in) | 204.3 | 193.6 | 194.5 | 196.2 |
| Width(in) | 78.8 | 75.4 | 66.3 | 77.8 |
| Height(in) | 69.6 | 66 | 69.8 | 67.4 |
| Ground clearance(in) | 7.7 | 7.20 | 7.3 | 5.6 |
| Wheelbase(in) | 120.9 | 112.5 | 111 | 111 |
| Track width(in) F/R | 67.3/67 | 64.5/65.5 | 66.3/66.3 | 66.3/66.3 |
The Buick Enclave dominates almost all the parameters of exterior dimensions. By the looks and size of the Buick Enclave, anyone can easily judge it for having heavy curb weight. In fact, the curb weight plays an important role in the handling characteristics of the Enclave. The overall length of the Enclave is almost 8 inches longer than the Acura MDX and boasts a 9-inch longer wheelbase than the GMC Acadia. Height-wise, the Enclave is almost as tall as the Honda Pilot.
Exterior Features
Some of the exterior features include:
*Evonic Acrylite Lighting refers to the use of 100 LEDs across the vehicle with the help of compound curvature application.
The 2018 Buick Enclave does quite well in the safety tests. It gets 5 out of 5 stars overall and inside crash in NHTSA crash tests. The Enclave also received superb ratings from IIHS for its incredible results from crash tests. Seven airbags come as standard in the Enclave that covers the dual front, front side, side curtain and driver's knee airbags. In addition, the 2018 Buick Enclave adds top active driver-assist safety features to experience a safe journey. Some of the safety features included in the 2018 Buick Enclave are:
*Safety Alert seat vibrates when other safety systems are activated.
The Acura MDX and 2018 Buick Enclave both lie in the same class, both are quite similar in performance and fuel economy, too. But still, the Enclave is a better option than the Acura MDX. For starters, the MDX fails to provide comfortable space for adults in the third row, neither does it provide enough cargo space.
The infotainment system of MDX has a steep learning curve. On top of that, the MDX has a higher price than the Enclave. All in all, the Enclave matches all of MDX’s strengths and does better in its weaknesses.
If this competition was for the year 2017, the Acadia would have emerged as the clear winner. But alas, the 2018 Buick Enclave makes the competition much fiercer. The new Enclave is longer than Acadia, by almost 11 inches. It has a wider yet more aerodynamic stance.
In terms of power, both perform equally, although Acadia generates more torque. Acadia also has a slightly better fuel economy but seeing that it also has a higher price, the benefits don’t outweigh the cost difference.
Affordable or luxurious? Powerful or Economic? If these are the dilemmas in your mind for choosing your next SUV, then the 2018 Buick Enclave is here for your rescue. The new Enclave is a well-balanced amalgam of luxury and affordability. It is cheaper than some higher trims of rivals like Ford or Honda, while still being feature-filled like an entry-level Lexus or Acura. Although Enclave’s price tag is not what everyone would call ‘affordable’, one look at what it has to offer more than just justifies that price.
Enclave offers power from its V6 engine and a smooth and comfortable ride from its spacious and tech-filled cabin. It may not be the best, but it is definitely one of the toughest competition in the class. Competitors like the Acadia or MDX do surpass the Enclave in a field or two, but with all things considered, Enclave continues to stand out with its new body and a refreshed soul.
