2018 Buick Enclave First Drive Review
10-25-17, 04:03 AM
#61
Lexus Fanatic
Got the chance to sit in the new Enclave.
Thoughts are mixed. Overall, I like the Buick design theme inside, but the interior does not have same level of quality or fit and finish as a Lacrosse.
Good stuff:
Nice style
Avenir looks like a nice package
Good Buick design theme
Good Year tires with a very long treadwear rating
Nice illuminating vanity mirrors
Bad stuff:
Lots of cheap feeling light materials
Hard plastic on the seat cushion surrounding
No adjustments for seat belts in the front (cost cutting as the previous model had it)
Faux wood on $54K vehicle is unacceptable
The dumbest and absolute worst sunroof sliding shade ever
So so leather or faux leather seats in an otherwise expensive price point
No color Tri sheild Buick emblem
I could probably go on and on as this new vehicle did not feel very well built.
Overall, it's ok. The Lexus RX is clearly a nicer more luxurious vehicle. It's absolutely clear GM figured ways to cost cut this new Enclave.
Note, I didn't drive it as we were just looking at the cars in the back lot killing time today. I did not feel like dealing with the sales staff.
Thoughts are mixed. Overall, I like the Buick design theme inside, but the interior does not have same level of quality or fit and finish as a Lacrosse.
Good stuff:
Nice style
Avenir looks like a nice package
Good Buick design theme
Good Year tires with a very long treadwear rating
Nice illuminating vanity mirrors
Bad stuff:
Lots of cheap feeling light materials
Hard plastic on the seat cushion surrounding
No adjustments for seat belts in the front (cost cutting as the previous model had it)
Faux wood on $54K vehicle is unacceptable
The dumbest and absolute worst sunroof sliding shade ever
So so leather or faux leather seats in an otherwise expensive price point
No color Tri sheild Buick emblem
I could probably go on and on as this new vehicle did not feel very well built.
Overall, it's ok. The Lexus RX is clearly a nicer more luxurious vehicle. It's absolutely clear GM figured ways to cost cut this new Enclave.
Note, I didn't drive it as we were just looking at the cars in the back lot killing time today. I did not feel like dealing with the sales staff.
10-25-17, 06:01 AM
#63
Lexus Champion
The MotorWeek web site had the list from a recent reliability survey (the source should remain nameless
) and Buick's Encore CUV is rated as their most reliable vehicle.
Buick is the top rated domestic brand, although it dropped 5 spots from last year to #8 overall. The Lacrosse was listed as their least reliable model. BMW is in the #5 spot now right behind Audi.
) and Buick's Encore CUV is rated as their most reliable vehicle.Buick is the top rated domestic brand, although it dropped 5 spots from last year to #8 overall. The Lacrosse was listed as their least reliable model. BMW is in the #5 spot now right behind Audi.
10-25-17, 06:10 AM
#64
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
10-25-17, 06:25 AM
#65
Lexus Fanatic
Complaints from the shifting from the 8-speed transmission used in the redesigned 2017 version (for only one year), and the in-car electronics (video-screen, Infotainment, etc... failing). For 2018, the Lacrosse (like my car) got the new 9-speed transmission that is probably not reflected in the reliability survey...not enough of them have been sold yet. The 2018 also introduces a new 4-cylinder hybrid base drivetrain that is not reflected in the survey, either.
10-25-17, 06:28 AM
#66
Lexus Fanatic
10-25-17, 06:37 AM
#67
Lexus Fanatic
My own Verano, for over five years, never needed any repairs per se, though it did have a couple of engineering quirks and very minor issues.
Buick is the top rated domestic brand, although it dropped 5 spots from last year to #8 overall.
10-25-17, 06:51 AM
#69
Lexus Champion
Complaints from the shifting from the 8-speed transmission used in the redesigned 2017 version (for only one year), and the in-car electronics (video-screen, Infotainment, etc... failing). For 2018, the Lacrosse (like my car) got the new 9-speed transmission that is probably not reflected in the reliability survey...not enough of them have been sold yet. The 2018 also introduces a new 4-cylinder hybrid base drivetrain that is not reflected in the survey, either.
10-25-17, 07:02 AM
#70
Lexus Fanatic
A friend gave me a copy of the annual car issue and it looks like the problem areas of recent Lacrosse models were power equipment and in car electronics. Transmissions (both major and minor issues) look to be a strong area as the ratings were Well Above Average for several model years.
This is directly from CR's own explanation for the Lacrosse's drop in reliability from 2016 to 2017:
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...y-survey-2017/
Trouble spots: Some owners complained that the eight-speed automatic transmission that replaced the previous six-speed version caused rough shifting. They had problems with the new, nontraditional gear selector and registered their concerns about the infotainment system, complaining that the display goes blank, navigation is buggy, and phones are difficult to pair.
Like I said earlier, though, the Lacrosse only used that 8-speed transmission for one year.....replaced by the 2018's 9-speed. GM and Ford, together, put an enormous amount of effort into designing that new 9-speed. It will be interesting to see what the reliability ratings are for it, which won't be available until next year, though the 2017 Malibu Premier used a less-robust version of it this year with the turbo 4-cylinder.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-25-17 at 05:07 PM.
10-25-17, 07:52 AM
#72
Lexus Fanatic
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