2008 Buick Enclave

When Buick unveiled its Enclave Auto Show Concept Luxury Crossover Utility, it was more than just a preview of the new production model.  The Enclave signaled a new strategy for the Buick brand - to have fewer models: the Enclave replaces three people movers and seeks to aim each new entry squarely at the most respected members in its class.  Clearly the Enclave has Lexus and other luxury utilities in its sights.  But, is the Enclave on target? 

The Buick brand is engaged in a serious turn-around attempt, and the 2008 Enclave Full-Size Luxury Crossover is the best example yet of the “new” Buick.

Using the same Lambda platform as the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia utilities, the Enclave has been enhanced with voluptuous styling, and a handful of unique available features like articulating HID headlights, power folding side mirrors, and rear backup camera.

But the cornerstone of the Enclave’s luxurious character is Buick’s QuietTuning process, which includes components designed to drastically reduce noise and vibration, plus additional sound blocking materials throughout the chassis.

Among the key QuietTuning components are the trick bi-state hydraulic engine mounts, which automatically adjust to different engine speeds.  They nearly eliminate what little NVH there is from the sole 3.6-liter twin-cam V6. This dual-exhaust engine is also shared with Acadia and Outlook and delivers a healthy 275 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. 

The all-aluminum V6 is coupled with the first 6-speed automatic transmission in a Buick. It includes seamless clutch-to-clutch shift operation, advanced grade-logic software, and a manual shift mode.

The Enclave’s drivetrain is available in two ways, front-wheel drive and automatic all-wheel drive. Both include StabiliTrak electronic stability control plus traction control.

At the end of the power chain are standard 18-inch or optional 19-inch cast aluminum wheels.  Our all-wheel drive Enclave needed 9.2 seconds for 0-60 runs, with the quarter-mile passing in 17.1 seconds at 82 miles-per-hour. Enclave’s higher curb weight makes it a tad slower than Outlook and Acadia.

Driven in a less frantic fashion, the Enclave drivetrain delivers its power in a very luxurious manner. It’s very refined, and far quieter than its Saturn and GMC cousins. Ride quality also matches the best of the luxury SUV segment.

Enclave also delivers revised government fuel economy ratings of 16 city/24 highway in front-drive form, and 16 city/22 highway with all-wheel drive. Our testing returned a fine 21 miles-per-gallon on regular gas. Still, the all-wheel drive Enclave carries a fairly high energy impact score of 19 barrels of oil consumed per year.

On our handling course, the electronic stability system kicks in early in the corners, to keep over two tons of SUV in line. Front plow is mild, and the steering, while slow, delivers much more feedback than that of your average family hauler. Stopping so much machine is the job of 4-wheel-discs with ABS. Stops from 60 averaged a good average of 129 feet, with solid pedal feel and high levels of chassis stability.

And if you have to spend a long day in the driver’s seat, few crossover cabins will pamper you like that of the Enclave. It’s not only roomy and very well equipped, but high fashion styling and elegant trim are both modern and seriously upscale.

Seating is for seven or eight, in either cloth or leather. Cushions are plush and comfortable for the long haul, while heated seats come standard with uplevel CXL-grade.

Standards include tri-zone climate control, CD audio with XM satellite radio, OnStar, and all-row curtain airbags with rollover sensor. Luxury options are many, including navigation, 115-volt power, DVD entertainment, and a huge panoramic sunroof.

The second-row seats, both the standard buckets or available split bench, use GM’s Smart Slide feature for excellent access to the truly adult-size third row or the huge cargo area with a standard power liftgate. Enclave swallows 18.9 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, and a maximum of 115.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

Minimum sticker for an Enclave is $32,790 for a front-wheel drive CX grade. The Enclave range tops out at $36,990 for the CXL with all-wheel drive. That makes it more than competitive with the smaller Lexus RX 350.

Overall the 2008 Buick Enclave is impressive. A totally modern, totally desirable, and totally competitive new era entry from the legendary Roadmaster brand.