Buick, a brand within General Motors, occupies a unique space in the automotive market, particularly thriving in China while seeking stronger footing in its home country. As the automotive landscape evolves, Buick is redefining itself with a fresh lineup, culminating in the arrival of the 2025 Buick Enclave. This latest model aims to be a key piece in Buick’s revitalization, but does it succeed? After extensive time behind the wheel, this review delves into whether the Enclave lives up to the hype, especially as a road-trip companion. The 2025 Buick Enclave presents itself as a compelling option in the three-row crossover segment, promising a refined driving experience and advanced technology. Let’s explore the details in this comprehensive Buick Enclave review.
2025 Buick Enclave: First Impressions
Buick has rapidly revamped its entire model range, and the 2025 Enclave completes this transformation, showcasing design cues inspired by the Wildcat EV concept. This new Enclave marks a significant departure from previous Buick designs, positioning itself as a modern, three-row crossover SUV capable of seating seven. As the largest and most premium vehicle Buick offers without encroaching on GMC or Cadillac territory, the Enclave is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. This power is managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. The vehicle features MacPherson struts in the front suspension and a five-link setup at the rear. Notably, the top-tier Avenir trim includes adaptive damping, and all models offer access to GM’s Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system, a first for Buick. To enhance cabin quietness, Buick has incorporated acoustic-laminated glass, extra-thick glass, and triple-layered door seals.
Design and Interior Analysis
The aesthetic of the 2025 Enclave is arguably more appealing in photographs than in person. Its front fascia, reminiscent of a Corvette, transitions into a rather blunt front end. The sides are expansive, with standard wheels that appear somewhat lost within the large wheel wells. The taillights bear a resemblance to those of a Toyota RAV4. The overall design seems to prioritize checking off style elements rather than achieving a cohesive and distinctive form.
Inside, the Enclave’s design reflects a typical mid-range GM approach. While there are elements of upscale materials and finishes, the overall impression lacks unique character. Without the Buick badge, its origin might be difficult to discern, were it not for the prominent, curved 30-inch touchscreen display integrated into the dashboard. Buick emphasizes this as a class-leading feature, yet only the central infotainment portion is touch-sensitive. The section to the left is controlled via steering wheel buttons, similar to many other vehicles. The screen’s orientation towards the driver can also make it less accessible for the front passenger.
Despite some design shortcomings, the interior is a comfortable space. The faux-leather seating, while perforated, feels both soft and durable. Storage within the cabin is ample. Headroom is generous, even with the panoramic sunroof option, although seat comfort may be a concern for taller individuals. Legroom is adequate across all three rows for adults, but the third row’s width is limited by the rear wheel wells, making it less comfortable for three adults. The front-row headrests are tilted forward uncomfortably, and surprisingly, audio controls are absent from the button-heavy steering wheel. The music note button only accesses radio presets, lacking song-skip functionality, and a chrome rocker switch does not control volume. Volume adjustment is relegated to a physical knob on the center console.
Driving Performance and Ride Quality
From the driver’s perspective, the Enclave’s hood appears more extended than it looks externally. The sloping edges make it challenging to gauge the vehicle’s boundaries, though the 360-degree camera system and parking sensors compensate for this. Visibility to the front and sides is reasonable, with acceptable three-quarter views and an adequate rear view through what feels like a small window.
The drive route, traversing some of the Northwest’s most uneven roads between Portland and Seattle, highlighted one of the Enclave’s strongest attributes: ride quality. The noise-canceling system in the Enclave contributes to a remarkably quiet and smooth ride, comparable to luxury SUVs costing significantly more, even without the Avenir trim’s adaptive damping. The ride quality approaches that of a Mercedes-Maybach, affirming Buick’s aim for industry-leading cabin quietness. This quiet environment also enhances the performance of the 12-speaker Bose sound system, which provides clear audio reproduction even at lower volumes.
The steering is light and responsive, and the vehicle demonstrates confident handling and traction. While the engine delivers strong acceleration, the throttle tuning could be refined for smoother starts. The transmission response can sometimes feel abrupt when accelerating from a standstill. Additionally, a slight dead zone at the top of the brake pedal makes achieving smooth stops somewhat challenging.
Technology and Features Review
The Enclave’s standard technology suite is commendable, albeit with some areas for improvement. Super Cruise significantly eased a three-hour journey, making it exceptionally relaxing, except in heavy traffic. The limitations of Super Cruise become apparent in dense traffic; it doesn’t interpret complex situations as adeptly as a human driver and can become overwhelmed. There were instances of questionable lane changes and an incorrect deactivation when the system misidentified an exit lane. Faded road markings also presented a potential risk of sideswipe, requiring driver intervention. However, on open highways, Super Cruise performed reliably. Disabling automatic lane changes is advisable for better usability in traffic.
Other tech-related issues arose. The forward collision warning system is overly sensitive. Apple CarPlay experienced unresponsiveness on occasion. The absence of physical audio controls necessitated touchscreen interaction, a known driver distraction. While not a driving feature, the key fob-activated tailgate proved more of an inconvenience than a benefit.
The 2025 Buick Enclave comes well-equipped with standard features, including 20-inch alloy wheels and a proximity power liftgate. The interior boasts active noise canceling, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, 126-color ambient lighting, tri-zone climate control, and heated, powered front seats. Infotainment features include a 360-degree camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and eight years of Google integration, along with numerous active and passive safety technologies.
Optional upgrades include quilted leather seats, power-folding second and third rows, seat memory settings, a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, and power-folding mirrors. Super Cruise is a $3,255 option across all trims, including a Wi-Fi hotspot with unlimited data, though both Super Cruise and data are subscription-based after three years.
The top-of-the-line Avenir trim, starting at $59,395, adds adaptive damping, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, a 16-speaker Bose audio system, rain-sensing wipers, animated exterior lighting, and 22-inch wheels. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 upcharge across all trims.
Buick Enclave vs. Competitors
The premium three-row SUV market is competitive, with the Buick Enclave often compared to models offering similar hands-free driving technology, such as the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and certain trims of the Cadillac XT6. Cadillac, however, often requires additional options for many features, making the Buick a potentially better value at comparable price points.
Compared to the Ford Explorer, the Enclave is positioned against BlueCruise-equipped models. The Explorer’s standard BlueCruise can make it a more affordable entry into hands-free driving compared to an Enclave equipped with Super Cruise. The Explorer also offers a more comfortable three-wide second row and slightly better fuel efficiency. However, BlueCruise operates on significantly fewer U.S. roads than Super Cruise. The Lincoln Aviator shares the fuel economy disadvantage with the Explorer. While all these SUVs have a 5,000-pound towing capacity, competitors with available 400-hp turbo V6 engines might be better suited for towing tasks compared to Buick’s four-cylinder offering. The Enclave, however, compensates with a larger interior cargo space.
Final Verdict: Who is the 2025 Buick Enclave For?
The 2025 Buick Enclave, while not groundbreaking, is a competent vehicle with a distinct purpose. Its strengths lie in its quiet and spacious cabin, smooth ride, and industry-leading Super Cruise technology. Buick has engineered a solid road-trip SUV that promises comfortable and relaxed long-distance travel.
However, seat comfort might be a crucial factor depending on individual preferences. Some tech features could be more user-friendly, and the styling may not appeal to everyone. The third-row configuration also has limitations. Yet, for those prioritizing a comfortable and technologically advanced vehicle for extended journeys across scenic routes, the Enclave is a worthy contender. The 2025 Buick Enclave earns a score of 7.5 out of 10.
(Conclusion) The 2025 Buick Enclave emerges as a strong choice for those seeking a refined and technologically advanced three-row SUV, particularly if long road trips are a priority. While it has minor drawbacks in styling and some tech usability, its strengths in ride comfort, cabin quietness, and Super Cruise technology make it a compelling option in its class. For families and individuals who value a relaxed and spacious vehicle for travel, the Buick Enclave is definitely worth considering.
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