Yahoo Autos 2022 Buick Enclave Review | More style and features doesn't mean better
The Buick Enclave has been updated for 2022, and it delivers some added style and additional features, it also doesn't do anything to lift Buick's three-row SUV beyond average for the segment. For the most part, the 2022 Buick Enclave is the same as it was when this generation launched for the 2018 model year. On the plus side, it has a powerful V6 and a smooth transmission. The cabin is incredibly spacious, and additional standard safety features are certainly welcome. The base price is also quite low for three-row premium SUVs at just under $44,000.
Where this biggest of Buicks falls short is in the finer details. The engine isn't well isolated, allowing coarseness into the cabin. The cabin also doesn't rise to the level of Lincoln, Acura, Infiniti and Volvo -- brands that aren't exactly the upper crust of luxury, but certainly beyond Ford, Chevy or Honda. For instance, while its controls are easy-to-use, the buttons and knobs feel low rent and are obviously shared with cheaper GM models. There isn't anything that makes it particularly stand out from the competition, either. So while the Enclave is spacious, affordable and decent enough to drive, we think there are nicer options wearing luxury badges as well as vehicles like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade that surpass it in their uppermost trim levels.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Features | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2022?
The Enclave gets a variety of small updates mainly consisting of styling changes and feature additions. The exterior features new front and rear designs with new LED lighting front and rear. New wheel designs and exterior colors are also available. Inside, it's nearly identical to last year's model except for a new steering wheel, new push-button shifter and updated seat designs. A variety of other features have been added either as standard or as options such as a wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power sunshade for the rear sunroof, a front camera, head-up display, rear-pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, rear camera mirror and surround view camera. Furthermore, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic headlights are now standard.
What are the Enclave interior and in-car technology like?
The Enclave's interior would be fine for a mainstream three-row SUV, but in the upscale segment where Buick attempts to play (or at least for the $40,000+ price range), it falls short. The curvy design starts out well, but the generic GM instrument panel and switchgear bring it down. The odd painted trim is a bit out of place, too. The higher-level Avenir trim alleviates some of these issues with nicer trim and stylish quilted leather upholstery.
On the plus side, the Enclave is quite spacious for front and second-row occupants in all directions. The front seats are a bit narrow, but are otherwise comfortable with supportive foam. The available power lumbar adjustments are welcome, too. The second-seats are somewhat flat, but have soft and comfortable cushioning. Third-row access is very good, though the rearmost seats are fairly hard and upright.
The infotainment system is lifted right out of other GM products. It's not particularly cutting edge, but it's very easy to use with a sharp and snappy display. We're also very grateful for dedicated climate control knobs and buttons and a volume knob, plus shortcut buttons for the home screen and tuning radio stations or skipping tracks.
How big is the Enclave?
The Enclave competes in the large three-row SUV segment, and given its price point, can be considered alongside the Lincoln Aviator, Infiniti QX60, Volvo XC90 and Acura MDX, plus upper trim levels of the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. It is larger than all of them, though, and usually by a considerable margin. It's a very big vehicle, and feels like it behind the wheel. Of course, that means that there's quite a bit of space for first- and second-row occupants. Third-row space isn't the advantage it used to be for the Enclave compared to other larger three-row SUVs.
Cargo space behind the third-row of seats is 23.6 cubic feet, which makes it the largest in the segment. It bested the next-biggest three-row crossover, the Kia Telluride, quite handedly in our luggage test comparison. Cargo space expands to 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows stowed.
