Introduction

The 2020 Buick Enclave is an attractive three-row SUV, aimed for families that want-or need-to transport as many as eight people. 

Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the Enclave sees only a couple of changes for 2020. A new Sport Touring styling package is available, as are massaging front seats. As before, four trim levels are offered: Preferred, Essence, Premium, and top-level Avenir. 

In each Enclave, a 3.6-liter V-6 develops 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mating with a slick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission. The base-level Preferred trim comes only with front-wheel drive. Essence editions may have front-drive or a basic all-wheel-drive system that applies brakes to reduce slippage. Premium and Avenir trims can have a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, with a twin-clutch rear differential that shuttles power between the wheels to maintain traction. 

Valuable active-safety technology that's typically standard in the Enclave's class comes only on top trim levels. Automatic emergency braking is standard on Premium and Avenir versions, but not available at all for Preferred or Essence trim. 

Crash-test results are incomplete. The NHTSA gave Enclave five-star ratings overall and for side-impact, but only four stars for the frontal collision. Rollover prevention (a calculated figure) also warranted four stars, which is typical for taller vehicles. The IIHS has not crash-tested Buick's Enclave, and results of testing the related Chevrolet Traverse are only partial, with two “Good” scores. 

Lineup

Prices do not include $1,195 destination charge. 

The 2020 Enclave Preferred ($40,000 with front-drive) includes heated power-adjustable front seats, a power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a wi-fi hotspot, and 18-inch wheels. An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. 

The Essence ($42,000 with front-drive, $44,000 with all-wheel drive) adds leather upholstery in front and second rows, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alerts. 

The Enclave Premium ($48,400 with front-drive, $50,700 with AWD) comes with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warnings, leather, cooled and massaging front seats, a power-folding third-row seat, and Bose 10-speaker audio. 

The Avenir ($53,800 with front-drive, $56,100 with AWD) includes a unique grille and styling details, a surround-view camera system, a rear camera mirror, a moonroof, and 20-inch wheels. 

Walkaround

Pleasantly proportioned and adeptly chrome-trimmed, the Enclave's appearance suggests the best of three-row crossover design. While the vehicle's silhouette implies a mainstream SUV, the details reach a bit above the pack. 

Up front, the wide, slatted grille is bracketed by brightwork, extending to the LED headlights and running lights. A dab of rear-fender chrome helps to recall Buick's design history. A large chrome strip spans tall taillights. Sizable exhaust tips protrude from the back bumper, enhancing the Enclave's strong look. 

Interior

Buick deserves acclaim for all three rows of Enclave seats, as well as its cargo capacity and good-quality materials. Contemporary in tone, the cabin doesn't quite spell luxury, but it comes close. Skillfully laid out and offered in a wide variety of hues, the spacious interior sends a message that luxury can emerge from simplicity. 

Upholstery in most trim levels is available in warm, earthy tones. Leather is standard in all but base trim. Few buttons disrupt the visual flow of the curved dashboard. 

Wide door openings ease access to front and second rows. Even the third row can seat adults, when necessary, though head clearance is limited. 

Separated by a wide console, power-adjustable front seats promise good support. Second-row buckets slide forward and back, to alter leg room. They also tip forward to ease third-row access. Head room is good, even with a moonroof. 

Buick's infotainment system works well, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard. 

Cargo volume maxes out at 97.6 cubic feet, with all seatbacks folded down. Space dips to 58 cubic feet behind the second row, and to 23.6 cubic feet with all seatbacks upright. A bin under the cargo floor adds 3.1 cubic feet. 

Driving Impression

Family-focused crossovers are hardly the leaders in performance, and Buick's Enclave is no exception. Instead of swift takeoffs, this three-row people-carrier excels in controlled ride comfort. 

Performance is satisfying, though, as the 310-horsepower V-6 delivers good thrust. It works well with the standard quick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission, though the gearshift lever operates in a quirky manner. Paddle shifters help a lot for highway passing and downgrades. 

Firm yet comfortable, the Enclave's ride quality is sublime, courtesy of smooth suspension tuning with either regular or adaptive dampers. Optional on Avenir trim, the adaptive units can either soften or stiffen the ride moment by moment. An Enclave remains composed and confident through challenging pavement segments. 

Sharp, rapid-responding electric power steering might be short on road feel, but that can be said about all crossovers in the Enclave's class. Substantial sound deadening keeps the cabin admirably quiet. 

A base-level Enclave is capable of towing 1,500 pounds. Adding an optional towing package raises that limit to a hefty 5,000 pounds. 

Mediocre is the word for gas mileage in a 2020 Buick Enclave. With front-wheel drive, the Enclave is EPA-rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined. All-wheel drive drops the estimate to 17/25/20 mpg-toward the bottom of its class. Still, an all-wheel-drive Honda Pilot or Subaru Ascent manages only 22 or 23 mpg in combined city/highway motoring. 

Summary

Straddling the gap between mainstream and luxurious, the 2020 Buick Enclave is more refined than some rivals and well-equipped, though some active-safety and driver-assistance features are limited to upper trim levels. Standard automatic emergency braking heightens the Premium edition's appeal. 

Driving impressions by Andrew Ganz, The Car Connection. James M. Flammang contributed to this report..