2021 Buick Enclave


absolutely AUTO REVIEW  |  By Steve Kursar –

The 2021 Buick Enclave is a mid-size crossover that deserves more attention. This is a three-row, near luxury vehicle that is beautiful both inside and out. But, many new car shoppers might just pass up the opportunity to take a test drive simply because it’s a Buick. Too many new car buyers remember sliding into the back seat of their grandparent’s humongous sedan and don’t consider choosing a Buick themselves.  That’s too bad, because the 2021 Enclave is worth a closer look.

Back when General Motors showcased a slew of different brands designed to appeal to a wide range of customers, the Buick brand was slotted just below Cadillac. Designed to appeal to customers who wanted the feel of luxury but didn’t want to shell out for the most expensive luxury brands, Buick delivered with solid engineering, usually spacious sedans and comfortable rides. Unfortunately, it became synonymous with older car buyers. And as a result, younger buyers stayed away.

The 2021 Buick Enclave is a very modern crossover with all the state-of-the-art tech that new car buyers demand. A base model comes with an MSRP of $40,000 and is powered by a 310 hp, 3.6 liter V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This is a big crossover which is reflected in EPA estimated fuel economy numbers of 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.  The powertrain is strong and responsive so there’s no lag when you feel the need to move.

The Enclave’s exterior design is elegant but not ostentatious. The interior design reflects the same strategy with a comfortable and luxurious feel.  The back seats are roomy enough for a long drive, but the third row bench seat is best left to small children.  Once all of the seats are dropped, there’s more than enough cargo room for a trip to the nursery to restock your garden. Buick even offers a Trailering Package for $650 to allow the Enclave to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Driver safety technology, the kind that is constantly silently scanning your car’s surroundings for danger, is all the rage today, and new car buyers demand it. Buick delivers with their Driver Confidence Plus package, a suite of technology features that aids in making any drive a safer one. The Enclave even has a built-in WiFi hotspot with available 4G LTE data. This is clearly not your grandparents’ Buick.