Buick, a brand navigating a unique space in General Motors’ portfolio, stands as a significant player in China while striving for greater recognition in its home market. Amidst widespread automotive reinvention, Buick is also undergoing a transformation, refreshing its entire lineup with models that boldly depart from its traditional image. The final piece of this puzzle is the 2025 Buick Enclave, a completely redesigned model aiming to redefine its segment.
After spending considerable time behind the wheel of the new Enclave, it’s clear that this SUV excels as a long-distance cruiser. The cabin’s refinement rivals that of much more expensive luxury vehicles, a characteristic enhanced by GM’s impressive Super Cruise technology. The powertrain delivers ample power, the interior is well-constructed and incredibly spacious.
2025 Buick Enclave. James Gilboy
However, the Enclave isn’t without its drawbacks. Its exterior styling might not appeal to everyone, and taller occupants might find the seats less comfortable. The interior configuration has some compromises, certain tech features are not particularly impressive, and the pedal calibration can make smooth driving challenging at times. Despite these points, for those facing long commutes and needing a capable three-row crossover, the 2025 Enclave is a compelling option.
Buick Enclave: The Essentials
Buick’s rapid model overhaul, completed in under 18 months with the 2025 Enclave, brings its design language in line with the Wildcat EV concept. This new styling strongly distinguishes it from previous Buick models. As the largest and most premium SUV Buick offers, the Enclave accommodates seven passengers across three rows. Positioning it above GMC and below Cadillac within the GM hierarchy, Buick aims to precisely target its market segment.
Powering the Enclave is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission manages this power, sending it to either the front or all four wheels. The suspension utilizes MacPherson struts at the front and a five-link system at the rear. The top-tier Avenir trim benefits from adaptive dampers, and all models include Super Cruise, marking a first for Buick. To minimize cabin noise, Buick has incorporated acoustic-laminated glass, thicker glass options, and triple-layered door seals.
2025 Buick Enclave. James Gilboy
In terms of aesthetics, the Enclave appears more appealing in photographs than in person. Its front fascia, reminiscent of a Corvette, transitions into a somewhat blocky front end, described as blunt. The side profile is expansive but lacks distinctive features, with standard wheels appearing somewhat lost within large wheel arches. The taillights bear a resemblance to those of a Toyota RAV4. The overall design seems to prioritize ticking boxes on a style checklist rather than creating a cohesive and fluid aesthetic.
The interior design mirrors the exterior in its “mid-range GM” feel. While there are some premium materials and finishes, the overall impression isn’t particularly unique. Without the Buick badge, it might be difficult to distinguish it from other vehicles in its class. The standout feature is the large, curved 30-inch touchscreen display. Although Buick touts it as class-leading in size, only the central infotainment portion is touch-sensitive, with the left side controlled by steering wheel buttons. Its driver-centric tilt can also make it less user-friendly for the front passenger.
2025 Buick Enclave. James Gilboy
Despite some design criticisms, the Enclave’s cabin is a pleasant environment. The faux-leather seats are comfortable and seem durable, and storage space is abundant. Headroom is generous, even with the panoramic sunroof, though the seats might not be ideal for taller individuals. Legroom is sufficient in all three rows, but the third row is somewhat narrow due to the wheel wells. The front headrests are angled forward uncomfortably, and surprisingly, audio controls are lacking on the steering wheel despite numerous other buttons. The music note button only accesses radio presets, with no song-skip button and the chrome rocker switch not controlling volume. A physical volume knob is located on the center console.
Buick Enclave Driving Dynamics
From the driver’s seat, the Enclave’s hood appears longer than it seems from outside. The sloping edges make it somewhat difficult to judge its boundaries, although the 360-degree camera system and parking sensors compensate for this. Forward and side visibility are generally good, while rear visibility through the rear window is adequate but feels somewhat restricted.
Driving the Enclave on less-than-perfect road surfaces highlighted one of its strongest attributes: ride quality. The noise-canceling system and overall suspension contribute to a remarkably quiet and smooth ride, comparable to luxury SUVs costing significantly more, even without the Avenir’s adaptive damping. Buick’s emphasis on achieving industry-leading cabin quietness is evident, which also benefits the 12-speaker Bose sound system, providing clear and detailed audio even at lower volumes.
2025 Buick Enclave. James Gilboy
The steering is light and responsive, and handling and traction are assured. While the engine provides strong acceleration, the throttle response could be refined for smoother starts. The transmission tuning can sometimes result in jerky acceleration from a standstill. Additionally, a slight dead zone at the top of the brake pedal can make smooth stops challenging.
The Enclave’s standard technology suite is commendable, although some aspects could be improved. Super Cruise significantly eased long highway drives, but its limitations become apparent in heavy traffic. The system’s perception isn’t as nuanced as a human driver’s, and it can occasionally become overwhelmed, making questionable lane changes or disengaging unnecessarily. Degraded road markings could also pose a risk if the driver isn’t attentive. However, on open highways, Super Cruise performs reliably, and disabling automatic lane changes enhances its usability in denser traffic.
Other tech quirks include an overly sensitive forward collision warning system and occasional unresponsiveness with Apple CarPlay. The absence of physical audio controls necessitates using the touchscreen, which can be distracting while driving. The key fob-activated tailgate, intended as a convenience, sometimes proves more of an annoyance.
2025 Buick Enclave. James Gilboy
Enclave Trims, Features, and Market Rivals
The 2025 Buick Enclave starts at $46,395 and includes a comprehensive list of standard features, such as 20-inch alloy wheels and a power liftgate. The interior boasts active noise cancellation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, 126-color ambient lighting, tri-zone climate control, and heated, power-adjustable front seats. The infotainment system features 360-degree cameras, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and eight years of Google integration, along with numerous active and passive safety technologies.
Optional upgrades include quilted leather seats, power-folding second and third rows, memory seats, a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, and power-folding mirrors. Super Cruise is a $3,255 option across all trims and includes a Wi-Fi hotspot with unlimited data, although both Super Cruise and data require a subscription after three years.
The top-tier Avenir trim, priced at $59,395, incorporates many of these options as standard, adding adaptive damping, ventilated and massaging front seats, and heated second-row seats. It also upgrades the Bose audio to 16 speakers and includes rain-sensing wipers, animated exterior lighting, and 22-inch wheels. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option for all trims.
2025 Buick Enclave FWD fuel economy compared to 2024-model competitors (not all 2025 info may be available). EPA
The three-row premium SUV market is competitive, with the Enclave frequently compared to models offering similar hands-free driving technology. Key competitors include the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and certain trims of the Cadillac XT6. However, Cadillac often requires extra options for features that are standard on the Buick, making the Enclave a potentially better value at similar price points.
Compared to the Ford Explorer, the Enclave’s Super Cruise is a strong selling point. While the Explorer’s BlueCruise is more affordable, Super Cruise operates on a significantly larger network of roads in the U.S. The Explorer’s three-across second-row seating might offer more comfort when fully occupied, and it achieves slightly better fuel economy. The Lincoln Aviator, while more luxurious, suffers from poorer fuel economy and the same BlueCruise limitations. Although all mentioned SUVs have a 5,000-pound towing capacity, the Explorer and Aviator offer more powerful V6 engine options, while the Enclave is limited to a four-cylinder. However, the Enclave compensates with a larger interior cargo space.
2025 Buick Enclave. James Gilboy
Final Thoughts on the 2025 Buick Enclave
The 2025 Buick Enclave, while not groundbreaking, is a solid and well-rounded vehicle with a clear purpose. Its quiet and spacious cabin, comfortable ride, and industry-leading Super Cruise technology make it an excellent choice for long journeys. Buick has created a capable road-trip SUV designed to transport passengers comfortably to distant destinations.
While seat comfort might be a concern for some, and certain tech features and styling elements have room for improvement, the Enclave’s strengths lie in its long-haul comfort and technology. If your priority is a relaxed and spacious vehicle for extended travel, the 2025 Buick Enclave is certainly worth considering.
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