The second row seats seem to be moved forward all the way in their tracks. Interesting choice for sure...

 

There are things I like about this Buick, and things I don’t. It really is just a big Lacrosse.

 

No, it is not a Lacrosse, although there are a lot of similarities in the drivetrain. Its suspension is different, the seats, particularly in the 2nd-Row, though nice, are not quite as plush-comfortable, the gauges/instrument panel are substantially different, it sits much higher off the ground (the Lacrosse sits so low you almost feel like you are in a Corvette LOL), and (surprisingly) the Enclave's steering, to my senses is even more responsive than the standard-underpinnings Lacrosse, which is already good. But, like it or not, it is going to be Buick's American-market flagship. The Avenir version of the Enclave, unlike the Lacrosse Avenir, offers a real wood-rim wheel, but only on a small upper-portion of the rim.

(Oh, and BTW.....I just noticed that the Avenir version does have the same gauge-panel as the Lacrosse...the Enclave Essence version, which I drove, didn't.

 

Why this car vs. Highlander or another Japanese SUV?

 

Steve (SW17LS) was looking at it as a possible replacement for his Pacifica...and I thought I'd sample one, as I hadn't tried one out one yet.

I could probably live with one myself as a (possible) replacement for my own Lacrosse, although I also like the Lincoln Corsair, and I don't want to reward the bozos in GM's management with another sale after those morons cancelled the whole Buick sedan lineup (including two sedans that I myself owned...the Verano and Lacrosse). It's little wonder that all those plant-closings triggered the longest UAW strike in almost 50 years (the subject of several previous threads). At the corporate level, they clearly do NOT deserve another sale from me, although my local Chevy/Buick/GMC dealer has been superb, and, at their level, probably DOES deserve my repeat-business. But, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, not now....I'll probably be driving my Lacrosse for awhile.

 

Bigger, and cheaper.

 

I don't think the Highlander, though perhaps more reliable, has the same room in the third-row seat that the Enclave and Traverse do...and the third row seat on the Lexus RX version is a joke.

 

No, the Enclave and Traverse are significantly bigger is what i was saying.

 

I've touched on this before but an Enclave is a solid vehicle.

We have a late model of the last gen, it drives very well....and has a great engine. Its ride is great and I'm truly, truly impressed with how quiet it is.

Tonnnnnnns of space inside.

Maybe not germane to this discussion but just FWIW.

 

I saw one of these today. They look really good, better than an RX that is for sure. However, there is some typical GM cheapness, the standard front driver and passenger nonadjustable seat belts for instance.

 

Take one for a spin if you get a chance...preferably with the smaller wheels, higher-profile tires, and proper PSIs. I don't think you will be disappointed in its road manners.

 

Let me ask you......

There's a '15 Enclave in my family I've touched on about it's verrry impressive quietness, ride, and engine.....however, I've never driven a vehicle that you could tell was FWD so easily. You can almost feel the sensation of being pulled. I've had many FWD cars and never really experienced it. It's not a bad thing, but you notice.

Could you tell any of that in the new one?

 

The new one, of course, has an updated platform, suspension, driven, and steering system. You can (maybe) detect a slight amount of a "being pulled" feel if you really concentrate on it, but the large high-profile tires (my sample-vehicle had 60s), smooth-shifting transmission, butter-smooth engine (I really like that GM 3.6L V6...I have one in my Lacrosse), electric power steering, and other the features in the chassis give it a somewhat appliance-like feel that is set up more for comfort than for a lot of driver-feel in the powertrain and suspension. Also, in addition to that, my sample-vehicle was AWD (an option), so just how much of a FWD feel and detect you are going to have will depend on what kind of road surface you have, and the amount of available traction on that surface. If and when AWD is in operation, of course, it will take at least some some of the FWD effect and shift it to the rear wheels.

On a slightly different note, I will also say that, while still comfortable, the new Enclave is, to my senses, even with the standard tires and suspension, considerably more responsive to the steering than the former model was. There is some body roll from the high center of gravity, but the nose of the vehicle, at least from what I remember of the former Enclave, responds noticeably more quickly.

 

I'm thinking a part of it may be that I'm sitting close to the wheels in it. My other FWD cars were sedans with the wheels further forward.

That's good to know. The last gen one we have has excellent steering and handling (for what it is). It goes around curves quite nicely with great hydraulic steering feel.

It's not far off from my LS430 in terms of quietness and isolation.

 

The '18 Enclave Avenir i drove was nothing like an LS430 to drive.