The 2025 Buick Enclave: A Midsize SUV That Still Knows How To Charm

The 2025 Buick Enclave, a stalwart in the midsize SUV segment, continues to deliver on its promise of refined comfort, stylish design, and a comfortable ride. But in a market saturated with competitors, does it still hold its own? We delve into the Enclave’s strengths and weaknesses, analyzing its performance, technology, and safety features to see if it earns a place on your shortlist.

Design: A Blend of Elegance and Practicality

The Enclave’s exterior design is a testament to Buick’s commitment to timeless elegance. Its sweeping lines and sculpted surfaces exude a sense of sophistication, while the signature Buick grille and chrome accents add a touch of luxury. The overall aesthetic is both modern and classic, ensuring the Enclave remains relevant in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

The Enclave’s interior is a haven of comfort and refinement. Soft-touch materials, ample legroom, and a well-designed dashboard create a sense of spaciousness and tranquility. The available leather upholstery and wood trim add an air of luxury, while the numerous storage compartments ensure practicality.

Performance: Smooth and Efficient, But Not Sporty

Under the hood, the 2025 Enclave is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, offering a healthy 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides ample power for everyday driving, effortlessly merging onto highways and passing slower vehicles. However, it’s not designed for spirited driving, and those seeking a more exhilarating experience may be disappointed.

The Enclave’s nine-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth gear changes, contributing to the overall refined driving experience. The standard front-wheel drive configuration provides adequate traction in most conditions, while the optional all-wheel drive system enhances capability in snow and slippery conditions.

Technology: Keeping Pace with the Times

The 2025 Enclave features a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. While it lacks the cutting-edge features found in some competitors, it offers intuitive navigation, smartphone integration, and a comprehensive suite of apps. The optional head-up display projects key information onto the windshield, enhancing driver convenience and safety.

The Enclave also boasts a generous array of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. These technologies enhance safety and contribute to a more confident driving experience.

Safety: A Strong Foundation

The 2025 Enclave prioritizes safety, earning a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Enclave’s robust construction, advanced airbags, and suite of driver-assist features provide a strong foundation for occupant protection.

Fuel Economy: A Mixed Bag

The Enclave’s fuel economy is average for the segment. The front-wheel drive model achieves 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. The all-wheel drive model sees a slight decrease, with ratings of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. While these figures are respectable, they are not class-leading.

Competition: A Crowded Field

The 2025 Enclave faces stiff competition from other midsize SUVs, including the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Explorer. These rivals offer comparable features, performance, and technology, making the Enclave’s position in the market increasingly challenging.

Strengths:

Refined and comfortable ride: The Enclave delivers a smooth and quiet driving experience, prioritizing passenger comfort.
Spacious and well-appointed interior: The cabin offers ample legroom, comfortable seating, and a well-designed layout.
Elegant and timeless design: The Enclave’s exterior exudes a sense of sophistication and timeless appeal.
Comprehensive suite of safety features: The Enclave comes equipped with a robust set of active and passive safety features.
Reliable and efficient engine: The 3.6-liter V6 engine provides ample power for everyday driving while delivering decent fuel economy.

Weaknesses:

Lackluster performance: The Enclave’s engine is not particularly sporty, and those seeking a more exhilarating driving experience may be disappointed.
Average fuel economy: While the Enclave’s fuel efficiency is respectable, it is not class-leading.
Outdated infotainment system: The Enclave’s infotainment system is functional but lacks the cutting-edge features found in some competitors.
Stiff competition: The midsize SUV segment is highly competitive, with numerous strong rivals offering comparable features and value.

Conclusion: A Solid Choice for Comfort and Refinement

The 2025 Buick Enclave remains a compelling option for buyers seeking a comfortable, refined, and stylish midsize SUV. Its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and comprehensive safety features make it a strong contender in its class. However, its lackluster performance, average fuel economy, and outdated infotainment system may leave some buyers wanting more.

Ultimately, the Enclave’s success hinges on its ability to appeal to buyers seeking a comfortable and elegant driving experience without demanding sporty performance or cutting-edge technology. If those priorities align with your needs, the Enclave is a solid choice worthy of consideration.

Detailed Breakdown of Key Features:

Exterior Design:

Signature Buick grille: The iconic Buick grille, featuring a cascade of chrome elements, instantly identifies the Enclave.
Sculpted body lines: The Enclave’s exterior boasts a sleek and sophisticated design with flowing lines and sculpted surfaces.
Chrome accents: Chrome accents, including the grille, window trim, and door handles, enhance the Enclave’s premium appeal.
LED headlights and taillights: Standard LED lighting provides enhanced visibility and a modern aesthetic.
Available panoramic sunroof: The optional panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.

Interior Design:

Spacious and comfortable cabin: The Enclave’s interior offers ample legroom and headroom for passengers, ensuring a comfortable ride.
Premium materials: Soft-touch materials, available leather upholstery, and wood trim create a luxurious and refined interior.
Well-designed dashboard: The dashboard is thoughtfully designed with a user-friendly layout and intuitive controls.
Numerous storage compartments: The Enclave offers ample storage space for passengers’ belongings, including cup holders, door pockets, and a large center console.
Available heated and ventilated seats: Heated and ventilated front seats provide added comfort in various weather conditions.

Performance:

3.6-liter V6 engine: The Enclave is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.
Nine-speed automatic transmission: The smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission enhances the driving experience.
Standard front-wheel drive: The Enclave comes standard with front-wheel drive, providing adequate traction in most conditions.
Available all-wheel drive: The optional all-wheel drive system enhances traction and stability in slippery conditions.
Comfortable ride: The Enclave’s suspension is tuned for a comfortable ride, absorbing road imperfections with ease.

Technology:

8-inch touchscreen infotainment system: The Enclave features a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display.
Smartphone integration: The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their smartphones.
Navigation system: The Enclave’s navigation system provides turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates.
Available head-up display: The optional head-up display projects key information onto the windshield, enhancing driver convenience and safety.
Comprehensive suite of driver-assist features: The Enclave offers numerous driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Safety:

Five-star overall safety rating: The 2025 Enclave has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Robust construction: The Enclave’s sturdy construction provides a strong foundation for occupant protection.
Advanced airbags: The Enclave features multiple airbags, including front, side, and curtain airbags, to protect occupants in the event of a crash.
Driver-assist features: The Enclave’s suite of driver-assist features enhances safety and helps prevent accidents.
Child safety features: The Enclave offers a range of child safety features, including childproof door locks and rear-seat reminder systems.

Fuel Economy: