The completely redesigned 2018 Enclave is Buick’s flagship vehicle and sees a complete overhaul after 10 years in production and the resulting 2018 Enclave is better in every single way. This premium full size SUV shares its structure and mechanicals with the 2018 Chevy Traverse but adds a little more refinement and luxury to the materials and design. As you can imagine, being redesigned after 10 years adds a slew of new technologies and safety features to the 2018 Buick Enclave, while a new level of luxury is also added through the Avenir model.
REFINED EXTERIOR
The modernized exterior of the 2018 Buick Enclave showcases a sleek and classy design. Gone is the bottom-heavy look of the previous design, replaced with a well balanced and well proportioned design. Perhaps the best part of the exterior design is the overall shape and size with a sleek slightly sloping roofline. This timeless design will help keep the Enclave modern for another 10 years if needed!
The front end of the 2018 Buick Enclave stands out from the crowd with the mean looking, narrow headlights accented with the LED daytime running lights overlapping the top corners. The entire front end look is brought together with the hood accent lines, a slatted grille (a mesh-like design for the Avenir model) with a centered Buick logo split by thin and wide wings and chrome highlights throughout.
Chrome highlights travel down the side of the 2018 Enclave, surrounding the windows, highlighting the front wheel flares and also the lower door panels. The rear end ties the whole exterior design together with a thick chrome strip splitting the top and bottom of the rear liftgate. A rear overhang, shark fin antenna and dual exhaust come together to bring a performance inspired look.
INTERIOR LUXURY
As one would expect from a full size luxury SUV, the 2018 Buick Enclave doesn’t disappoint its passengers. A cavernous interior large enough to fit 7 full sized adults provides ample leg, head, shoulder, knee and all other room one need, while still leaving plenty of space for cargo! The versatility and functionality of the interior is well thought out and offers plenty of configurations for passengers and cargo. With the only configuration being for 7 passenger seating, this places two captain’s chairs in the second row. Unfortunately, the only access to the third row is through the passenger side.
All models showcase a fine interior, but the top of the line Avenir model brings even more premium finishes and luxury features. Surrounded by wood grain trim, leather stitching and a two tone leather colour scheme, passengers can feel the warmth emanating from the soft-touch, luxurious materials. Other comfort features include 3 zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, Onstar, onboard Wifi and second row captain’s chairs with armrests that recline. One other convenience feature that’s becoming more and more commonplace in SUVs is a power liftgate with an opening sensor for when your hands are full. Buick has taken this feature one step further by projecting a Buick logo below the tailgate indicating the location you need to waive your foot to open the liftgate.
Overall the interior design is sophisticated and minimalist, without going overboard with buttons or the use of too many different materials. Minimalism is helped by the touch screen display removing the need for too many buttons, and an electronic gear selection lever, which is a compromise between the shifting buttons seen in the 2018 Terrain and the traditional gear shifting stick.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
The 2018 Buick Enclave remains true to the refined driving feel seen in traditional Buick vehicles and ties in modern technology to bring your driving experience to new levels.
Simplifying decision making, the 2018 Enclave comes equipped with only one engine option, which it shares with the 2018 Chevy Traverse. A 3.6L V6 engine powers the Enclave with 310hp, paired to a silky smooth and precise 9 speed automatic transmission and optional AWD. With the optional tow package, the 2018 Enclave’s engine provides enough power and torque to tow up to 5,000lbs.
The 2018 Enclave engine’s muted growl is subdued by the active noise cancellation system, the sound absorbing materials and the insulated windows, making the interior whisper quiet for passengers. Add the experience of the smooth shifting 9 speed transmission, electronic power steering and available power at hand, and you have one of the most comfortable rides in its class.
The responsive acceleration coming from the abundance of power pairs well with the smooth and receptive handling. While the steering feedback feels a bit muted, the handling doesn’t seem to suffer and provides great traction through turns and a reassured feeling of control.
Equipped with the latest safety technology, the 2018 Enclave ensures drivers have access to all the available options. Standard features like forward collision warning, rearview camera and parking sensors are included in all models, while the more advanced technology like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning are optional. I find one of the most useful features is the surround view camera which really helps maneuver larger vehicles into tight spaces (and the side view will help prevent curbing your rims).
FINAL THOUGHTS
As one would expect from a Buick, the 2018 Enclave successfully delivers a smooth and refined drive, while swaddling passengers in luxury and convenience. This timeless design will ensure the 2018 Buick Enclave remains relevant and not outdated for another 10 years! While the 2018 Enclave starts at only $47,900, the more luxurious Avenir model starts at $61,900. Get back in touch with the new face of Buick and take a 2018 Buick Enclave for a test drive.
