2009 Buick Enclave User Reviews

Pros

Reliability, nothing needed fixing, good gas mileage

Cons

Personal Property Tax has remained high

Purchased As New

This is the third new car I've owned in my life. I bought it in 2009, brand new. It is the first car that has had nothing wrong with it that the dealer had to fix. The gas mileage was better than the sticker. If I drive 60 mph, I can get up to 27 mpg! For this size vehicle, that is unbelievable. I had a 2000 GMC Jimmy before this one, and I thought it was pretty good, despite some troubles (3 batteries exploded, torsion arm, etc). Although it was smaller, I NEVER got more than 19 mpg. This car is more than 3 years old, now, and it's ride is still great, and it is still quiet. I love the roominess of it, and it is a hit with the carpool....read morehide

Cons

Unsafe

Purchased As New

My 2009 Buick Enclave rolls backward while in drive and forward while in reverse if on ANY incline whatsoever. The gas does not engage quickly enough to compensate for the rapid roll factor and has resulted in several near accidents (involving other vehicles behind me at stop lights and 2 pedestrians) and one actual accident. General Motors acknowledges this issue, but their official comment is "Since this occurs in most Enclaves, it is considered a normal characteristic for this vehicle and therefore the company bears no responsibility."...read morehide

Cons

Front seats not comfortable. Rear deck lid operates erratically

Purchased As New

2010 Enclave--The front seats are not comfortable. They are hard and lack enough plushness and fullness. On along trip they get hard on your bottom. We have to carry a small pillow for some comfort.The passenger side will let the passenger slide forward out of the seat. It also lacks the eight way tilts as the driver side and creates leg cramps after a while.The head rests will not adjust and hits the back of a passengers head who's a shorter person.
The rear deck lid fails to close many times when using the clicker or the manual electric button. It will go down part of ths way then jump back up. You have to finnally push it shut by hand hoping it will latch. The next day it may work correctly and then the next day it starts the problem again. I've had it to the dealer who said it was reprogrammed to work but it has failed several times since.
Not a happy owner at all just now....read morehide

Pros

Posh, comfortable, quiet, spacious

Cons

software glitches, engine trouble

Purchased As New

I bought the car new, loved it for the first 3 months and from that point on, it's in every three months for a new battery. Apparently, there is a software issue that drains the battery (I have the full package with Nav, entertainment, and back-up camera). It is currently in the shop as we speak having the engine removed for a known timing chain problem...at 22K miles. I have spent more time in the shop with this vehicle than any other vehicle I have owned. It's beautiful and everything I could possibly want in a car, but its been a nightmare to own. I've decided to trade the vehicle as soon as I get it back. Very disappointed....read morehide

Pros

Beautiful Car, Spacious, Smooth Ride

Cons

It has been in the shop twice already, going on it's third.

Purchased As Used

My Enclave has been in the shop twice already for over heating. The first time it was a major pipe, now it's the water pump. Just got it back from the dealer and now the left hand turning signal doesn't work. I'm sooo tired of taking this car to the shop. Whenever I drive over 30 miles it over heats....read morehide

Pros

Options available are Amazing! Eg. HID Headlights follow the Road

Cons

Dealer selection was limited

Purchased As New

We purchased the CXL FWD demo from the dealership in Calgary, AB (CMP Pontiac) This vehicle did have a nice option package. Most noteworthy would be the fantastic extra sunroof for the rear of the vehicle, HID headlamps that are directional- finally someone has thought "outside of the box" to follow the vehicles motion.
Other features that set this vehicle apart is the tilting mirrors, back-up camera on the rearview mirror. My wife has been driving the car for 4 months and loves it. We seriously were looking at the Hyundai Veracruz as an option in this price range. My advice to anyone who is looking at the Veracruz is to have a seat in the Enclave. You must of course have the same trim level (GLS minimum on the Veracruz) and the CXL on the Enclave. The Enclave's leather appointments cannot even compare to it's Korean competitor- this is the real stuff- not like the "almost leather" that Hyundai puts in its cars.
Another item that to me makes a huge difference is the triple pains of glass used in the windows- makes the vehicle even more sound proof than anything else out there. Oh I almost forgot to mention it has bluetooth built in, with the controls on the steering wheel- and no one can beat the availablity of a service such as Onstar, in an accident or locked your keys in your car- this system is one of those "piece of mind" options that makes you feel like your family is that much more safe. If you have experienced a (-40c) winter here in Alberta you know what I am talking about. Oh ya- forgot to mention that besides heated seats, GM even cools them in the hot summer as well.
Love the vehicle GM- P.S. don't forget where it's made- here is North America, why not support your own families- especially when you are getting a top notch SUV such as this one.
GT...read morehide

Pros

Smooth ride, quiet, luxury feel to vehicle, gas mileage not too bad.

Cons

RELIABILITY

Purchased As Used

We love our Enclave except for 3 for IMPORTANT issues. 1) service engine light went on-had it checked by dealer-found out timing belt has a problem and GM is "working on a solution." We hope engine doesn't blow before they "find" their solution. 2)WATER LEAK from sunroof. Dealer told us it's only the 2008 with problem. Not so it runs from the back seat belts and lights. They still haven't fixed it. 3)Chrome wheels rusted-Gm is sending us new wheels and center caps. We looked long and hard for our Enclave and it is a beautiful, comfortable car but the problems have made us rethink our decision. We should have researched further because the sunroof issue has been a problem for awhile. No wonder GM is bankrupt if they have to replace so many problems. We have always driven GM products but this may be our last....read morehide

Pros

Relaxing , comfortable ride!

Cons

Are you kidding? NOT ONE THING

Purchased As New

I was the first to buy the 2010 Enclave at the dealer. It took me 3 months to buy a vehicle. I went to five dealers and drove eleven different crossovers. The Buick Enclave drove like the Cadilac I test drove and had the similar sporty look I was looking for. The only reason I didn't purchase the 2009 is that it is to late in the year to choose the color, I DID NOT want brown. In looking for a new vehicle , I needed a grocery, granny mobile. I'm still young and I think I may still be cool! The Enclave is beautiful to look at and it is sporty looking. My teenager loves the back seet. He says " This is like I have my own car" He loves the DVD player, ability to listen to his own radio station, and control his own air conditioning. He loves the leg room and the comfort. He hasn't had a chance to hook up his X Box and play yet, but I'm sure that will be cool too. If we go anywhere even if its just the two of us, he still rides in the back. I love all the features, which I'm still learning to use. The blue tooth is the coolest so far. I have had a Mini van, Jeep, and a Truck and the Enclave is far the best. I decided when purchasing this one that it would be something that I would want to keep until it dies. I got this one decked out with everything except the sun roof, I wanted the DVD installed in the roof, not on the seats. But I paid extra and had the 10 inch one installed. I got the leather heated and cooling seats, tow package, navigator and back up camera, blue tooth, you name it, this one has it. I love this Enclave, I can't wait until we take it on a road trip. I haven't put the grand kids in it yet, but I know the will enjoy watching Barney when they ride with Granny. I was gonna take them for a ride the day I bought it, but they had been playing outside and they were dirty so I didn't offer!...read morehide

Cons

none

Purchased As New

Love this car!!! I also owned a 2008 model and loved it also. It's wonderful for family trips with grandkids. Everyone is comfortable in it. The kids love the DVD player and the Bose sound system is excellent. My wife gets so many compliments on its appearance. She is pleased with it and she is very hard to please....read morehide

Pros

Best vechile I have ever owned, comfortable, stylish, quiet, and trustworthy

Cons

Honestly, haven't discovered anything that I consider negative

Purchased As New

After looking at the GMC Acadia and unable to make a satisfactory deal, I turned my attention to the Enclave--and I am so glad that I did. I enjoy the quiet and comfortable drive. I typically get about 22-23 miles per gallon on the highway which is much better than my old GMC truck. The quiet drive is also a plus. The suspension is more than adequate and the ride is smooth and comfortable. The car has good pickup and cruising power. I am also quite pleased with the appearance of the vehicle. Even though it has been on the market for a couple years, it is still a head-turner....read morehide