2022 Buick Enclave Review: Goes Down Smooth

The sportiest thing about the 2022 Buick Enclave is the tiny “ST” badge on its rump. That’s a good thing.

Look, I love me a good hot hatch as much as the next enthusiast. It shouldn’t need to be said, but a three-row crossover is a whole different breed. It doesn’t need the stiff suspension, aggressive throttle response, and throaty exhaust note. It’s surprising how many automakers think otherwise.

Buick isn’t one of them. The American automaker has captured the smooth-cruising character of the past with its largest offering. Look past the somewhat unfair stereotype of drivers of, ahem, advanced years, and the Enclave offers a spacious, premium family hauler.

Buick treated its range-topper to a facelift this year. The front end gets a strikingly angular look, with handsome LEDs sitting above the chrome strip bisecting the grille. Lower down the fascia, you’ll find the main beams. It’s a look we’re seeing across a lot of brands these days, but it’s attractive nonetheless. To these eyes, the refresh out back is less successful, the unbroken line running across the taillights and chrome bar looking like a big frown.

The bits between the wheelarches are essentially unchanged. The swoopy flanks are the clearest sign the Enclave has been around for a while, but from a glass-half-full perspective, it sets the Buick apart from the chunkier, rectilinear SUVs out there. Those 20-inch alloys look pretty cool, too.

The changes continue inside. The push-button shifter setup we saw in last year’s new Envision is now present in big brother. It’s still my least-favorite type of shifter—traditional lever, rotary dial, then this—but there’s no arguing with the space it now frees up. That applies to both the cupholders to the right, and the large, now-standard wireless charger set deep in the center console. This tester comes with a tasteful, monochromatic faux-wood-and-chrome look, which pairs well with the (standard) gray leather seating.

Those seat are super comfortable, wide and squishy while providing good support on longer hauls. Same goes for the second-row captain’s chairs, which benefit from a slightly elevated, theater-style mounting position. Middle-row riders get a solid dose of vitamin D too, thanks to a large second moonroof. Legroom measures 38.3 inches (973 millimeters), so even adults can get comfy back there.

The Enclave is one of the largest vehicles you can buy without graduating to body-on-frame options. That translates to a third row that doesn’t feel like a penalty box, with headroom and legroom coming in at 37.2 and 33.5 inches (945 and 851 mm), respectively. Still tight, sure, but if you’re forced to stick adults back there, they’ll like the extra half-foot of legroom over something like the Toyota Highlander, which the Buick just bested in a recent comparison.

Storage space is also best described as cavernous. Even with every seat occupied, there’s23.6 cubic feet (668 L) of stuff-swallowing space, and that expands to 57.7 (1,634 L) when you drop the rear-most row. Run the Enclave in full Home-Depot-run two-seat mode, and you’ll find 97.4 cubes (2,758 L) of storage.

Buick kept the infotainment screen at 8.0 inches for the Enclave refresh. It’s a good system overall, with snappy responses and an intuitive interface. It’s just a little small is all, especially the submenu buttons along the bottom of the frame. On the flip side, GM has made nearly all of its infotainment systems wirelessly compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an easy-peasy pairing process that even some higher-end brands struggle to match. An upgraded 10-speaker Bose sound system does a good job pumping out the tunes.

The standard safety kit list is lengthy, including rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control is optional, but checking that box also brings in the high-res 360-degree camera system. What’s more, this tester comes with a head-up display and useful digital rearview mirror.

As alluded to right from the start, the Enclave’s overriding attitude is smooth and easy-going. The V6 is linear in its delivery, with an appropriate throttle map that makes it simple to mete out the power. The nine-speed auto disappears into the background, imperceptibly shuffling between its many ratios. The steering is just as you’d expect—super light, but with quick enough responses to keep this big beast from feeling sleepy.

Ride quality is excellent. The 20-inch tires still feature a good amount of sidewall, making for a comfortable cruise. It’s also pretty darned quiet in here, with an impressive amount of sound deadening aiding the luxury feel. Bury the throttle—purely for research purposes, of course—and the distant (and distinct) snarl of the V6 is notable. Okay, maybe that’s the one other part of the recipe that’s sporty.

As a near-luxury option, the Enclave understandably starts higher than most other three-row SUVs. Buick charges $46,095 ($51,898 CAD) for a base-but-not-base Essence like this. Add an extra two grand if you want AWD, which is included in the Canadian sticker.

Our tester includes a handful of options, like the Experience Buick and Sound and Sites packages ($1,395 and $1,555 in the US, bundled as $2,905 CAD in Canada), and the adaptive cruise control and surround vision package ($1,450 / $1,595 CAD). With the continued chip shortage, you’ll miss out on front and rear parking assist and either heated seats or steering wheel, which shaves a piddling $100 off the price. Our as-tested tally is $52,485 ($58,413 CAD).

That drops this Enclave right in a sweet spot between high-trim mainstream models and the entry-level luxo choices. While the Avenir no doubt impresses with its massaging front seats and trick continuous damping suspension, you’re knocking on $60,000 there ($65,000 CAD), which opens up luxury alternatives like the Acura MDX and Genesis GV80.

FAQs

How much does the 2022 Buick Enclave cost?

The latest Enclave starts at $46,095, including destination, for a front-drive Essence model. AWD is standard in Canada, which explains the $51,898 CAD pricing up North.

Is the Buick Enclave changing in 2022?

Buick gave the Enclave a facelift outside, tidied up the interior with a new push-button shifter, and made previously-optional safety assists standard.

Where is the 2022 Buick Enclave built?

Buick produces the Enclave at its Lansing Delta Township plant in Detroit.