CTC Review: 2009 Buick Enclave CX

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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It has been awhile since I have driven a large SUV; I guess it was just about time as gas prices are starting to rise in anticipation of the summer driving season, but be that as it may, people need space to take those trips across the country and an eight-seater could very well be the ticket.  More ...

[Ratpick]

A Buick without the luxury goods, which happens to be the sibling of the "professional grade" GMC Acadia? How confusing. No wonder the manufacturer is, uh, facing some challenges.

[carcrazed]

I agree GM has too many lines and models sharing the same platform.. I guess their reasoning was that loyal Buick drivers (mostly in or near retirement) need to squeeze more value out of their retirement fund. =)

[nsmyhte]

Most luxury makes have an entry level model without leather, etc. Case in point BMW, M-B. It's just that most of the models car journalists review are the top versions or very close. I think this Enclave still comes with a nice list of sandard features. I think HID headlights are even standard which is pretty rare.

[Mozeby]

You're right nsmyhte. Every Euro company I can think of, start without many of these luxury items as standard.  Nearly every review I see is of a fully decked out version.  The Buick is different from an Acadia and other models because it's tuned to ride a bit softer, and the interior is quieter because or more insulation.  It also looks a lot different than the Acadia, inside and out.

[Alex MacLean]

What gets me is that somehow it is bad for Buick to sell a non leather equped version, it is apparently cheapening the brand. Yet every luxury car I can think of comes as a base version without most of the same features.

We have a nice double standard there.

[Ratpick]

Yes, other manufacturers have stripped-down versions of their vehicles. That's true.

But they don't have 5 or 6 brands selling virtually the same vehicle. In GM's case, a stripped-down Buick runs into the territory of Chevrolet, GMC, and until recently, Oldsmobile. Confusing, bloated and unsustainable.

[wing]

  the GMC or Chevy should be a stripper, not available with leather and all the goodies, and the Buick should be standard with them.

[Shnak]

  the GMC or Chevy should be a stripper, not available with leather and all the goodies, and the Buick should be standard with them.

I'm not sure I agree... can you imagine a GMC salesman having to tell its customer that they'll need to head to another dealer if they want leather in their vehicle?

I mean, it's not like a customer looking at the Accord needs to go to Acura to get leather in a mid-sized sedan...

The problem here is that Buick, GMC, Chevrolet and Saturn all sell THE SAME VEHICLE. That's the problem.

I don't see a problem with Buick selling a non-leather Enclave... but I may have a problem with Buick selling the Enclave period.

[safristi]

the Enclave period is it any B***** Good..................

[Mozeby]

At least the Saturn model disapears next year, but yeah, they saturated themselves with this one.  I'm actually looking at buying the Acadia next year, because it's kinda in between the buick and Chevy version.  Nicer than the Chevy inside and out, but not as nice as the Buick.  In reality though, GM should have just merged GMC with Chevy trucks, and they wouldn't have half the overlap.

[wing]

The Chevy was odd, after all the time with just the GMC they decided ... oh we need a Chevy now too!

[Danno_001]

We test drove a Traverse and found the exact same issue in parking the thing. It is a beast to park. That convinced us to go more compact. Other than that issue, it is a very well done package.

A Toyota Venza is on the way.

[ovr50]

Wing - I like your diplomacy and choice of words in this test......

[FridrihLop]

Good article, the advertisment is sold?

[Mozeby]

Hey, you can't have your cake and eat it too.  You  complain about the size and how difficult it is too park, but then on the other hand not take into account having something this large that can carry 7 or 8 comfortably, and all their stuff too.  If it were smaller like an Edge or Pilot, then there'd be complaints about cargo space.

[wing]

There are many large vehicles that are easy to park -- Ford Flex is one.  This vehicle seems difficult to park that is all.

[FokusLop]

Good article, Thanks. my name Philip.

[emt_angeles]

The color of that SUV looks very classy and elegant.  And the photo of the rear opening, cavernous...however, it kinda creeps me out that it feels like you can slide a "casket" in there.  I am not dissing this Enclave, however, it is really huge in the photos. If I need a vehicle of this size, I believe, a minivan would be a better choice.

[Schmengie]

The color of that SUV looks very classy and elegant.  And the photo of the rear opening, cavernous...however, it kinda creeps me out that it feels like you can slide a "casket" in there.  I am not dissing this Enclave, however, it is really huge in the photos. If I need a vehicle of this size, I believe, a minivan would be a better choice.

  Actually, to me the Enclave doesn't look like that big in the pictures, almost like a slightly bloated VW Passat wagon, at least from the A-pillars back. Parking next to one is a different story, though. I was surprised at just how massive it is, way bigger than it needs to be IMO. A minivan would be cheaper, get better fuel economy and do just as well if not better at hauling people and stuff around. They're easier to park too.

If I read the article right, the tester doesn't even have AWD which I always thought was one of the justifications for buying a vehicle like this one. The Enclave doesn't make sense to me.