From the beginning of its life, the Buick Enclave was intended to be a family hauler on the luxury end of the spectrum. It had seating for up to eight occupants, with a bench seat in the middle and upmarket touches. While it was a big, three-row SUV, it wasn’t full-size, and it had a unibody construction for car-like driving dynamics. In many ways, it was a great alternative to the minivan, especially since adults could fit in the third row.
As a family vehicle, it focussed on safety, adding the industry’s first centre airbag between the front seats in 2013 and making advanced driver assistance technology standard on all trims in 2022. The latest Enclave models make the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ list.
The first two generations were equipped with a V6 engine, while the third and current generation introduced a noisy but more powerful four-cylinder turbo engine with fuel economy of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The third-gen Enclave also dropped the middle bench seat in favour of more comfortable captain’s chairs.
In general, the Buick Enclave is a safe and reliable three-row SUV with a stylish design and plenty of amenities. It’s a great option if you need three rows of seats but don’t want to feel like you’re driving a land yacht.
Buick Enclave: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Buick Enclave: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Buick Enclave Pros and Cons
- Buick Enclave Generations
- Buick Enclave Third Generation (2025–present)
- Buick Enclave Second Generation (2018–2024)
- Buick Enclave First Generation (2008–2017)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Buick Enclave years are the best?
If you’re looking for a first-generation Buick Enclave, the later years are your best bet. According to CarComplaints.com, 2016 and 2017 models have the fewest owner complaints and the fewest recalls in that generation. Most second-gen examples have few complaints and recalls, but 2022 and 2023 should be your go-to model years as they have higher than average reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. The third-gen version, released in 2025, is currently too new to tell.
What are the worst Buick Enclave years?
The Enclave got off to a rocky start, and the first few model years—2008 through 2010—have lots of complaints and recalls. CarComplaints.com calls 2008 the worst model year due to transmission problems, but 2009 and 2010 Enclaves also rack up a lot of owner complaints. In the second generation, the 2020 model year logs the most recalls, while the 2018 model year has the most complaints.
Is a used Buick Enclave a good deal?
Used Buick Enclaves can be good deals, especially first-gen models. For example, the average purchase price for a 2016 model is roughly $20,000, and the original MSRP was more than $50,000. If you opt for an earlier second-gen Enclave, you can still see pricing at $15,000 to $20,000 off the original MSRP and sometimes more, which means you’re looking at prices between $30,000 and $45,000 for units with reasonable odometer readings.
Buick Enclave Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish
- Advanced standard safety features
- Comfortable and roomy cabin
Cons:
- Noisy and unrefined engine
- On the expensive side
- No hybrid option
Buick Enclave Generations
Buick Enclave Third Generation (2025–present)
The Buick Enclave entered its third generation for the 2025 model year with a ground-up redesign inspired by the Buick Wildcat concept car. The exterior is bolder from the front with its angular grille and slim daytime running lights (DRLs), but the side is more generic with fewer angles and lines.
The interior receives a large, 30-inch curved display with HD surround vision—spanning both the area behind the steering wheel and the centre of the dashboard—plus a new floating console and standard second-row captain’s chairs. For this generation, Enclave has done away with the bench seat option and can seat seven occupants rather than the eight of its predecessors.
At launch, Buick Enclave trim levels include Buick Enclave Preferred, Buick Enclave Sport Touring, and Buick Enclave Avenir.
The powertrain represents one of the biggest changes for this generation. All-wheel drive (AWD) remains standard in Canada, but the V6 has been replaced by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with specs of 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. The Enclave also receives a new eight-speed automatic transmission, while towing capacity is 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) when properly equipped.
With a heavy focus on technology, key features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Google built-in operating system, a power tailgate, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and two USB ports in each row. This third-generation Buick Enclave is the first Buick to get the available Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assist system, and new standard safety features include blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, a 360-degree camera, and adaptive cruise control. A head-up display and rear camera mirror are available.
The third-generation Enclave was brand new at the time of writing, so you aren’t likely to find many used vehicles of this generation on sale just yet. That means you’re looking at a base price of $62,833 for the Preferred trim in Canada with fees included, and a top end of $72,833 for the Avenir trim.
Buick Enclave Second Generation (2018–2024)
The second-generation Buick Enclave moved away from its predecessor’s round design in favour of a sleeker profile with a longer wheelbase. Still powered by a V6, this Enclave delivered 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. A new nine-speed automatic replaced the previous six-speeder.
At launch this new generation Enclave had three trims in Canada: Buick Enclave Essence, Buick Enclave Premium, and Buick Enclave Avenir. Initially, front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the base Essence trim and AWD was optional, while AWD was the default on higher trims. AWD became standard on the Buick Enclave in Canada beginning with the 2023 model year.
There was a lot more standard tech with this generation, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a hands-free power liftgate, heated front seats, a subscription-based OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a rearview camera. At the top-tier Buick Enclave Avenir trim were upscale amenities such as leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 360-degree camera, a dual sunroof, and a rear-camera mirror. Avenir was also the only trim to offer the adaptive suspension, adaptive cruise control, and highway-speed automatic braking.
There was a mid-cycle refresh in 2022 with a new grille, restyled headlights and taillights, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a redesigned centre console with new shifter buttons, and a new Sport Touring package. Some safety features that were only offered on the Avenir became available with all trims, including front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Buick Enclave hasn’t been the hottest seller in Canada, but there are typically a couple hundred units on the used car market across the country at any given time. For those in good shape with 150,000 kilometres or less on the odometer, expect to find prices in the $25,000 to $50,000 range with older and higher-mileage cars at the low end and nearly new upper-trim 2024 models at the top of that range.
Buick Enclave First Generation (2008–2017)
The new Enclave replaced the Rendezvous, the Rainier, and the Terraza in the Buick lineup when it was introduced for the 2008 model year. This first-gen Enclave shared its car-based General Motors Lambda platform with the Saturn Outlook, the GMC Acadia, and the Chevrolet Traverse.
Situated in the midsize SUV segment, the first-gen Buick Enclave had three rows and seating for up to seven, with an optional second-row bench seat. At launch, it was equipped with a 275-hp 3.6-litre V6 engine, but got a more powerful 288-hp 3.6-litre V6 in 2009. Initially, two trims were available—CX and CXL—with FWD standard and AWD available with both. By the end of this generation, AWD was standard on upper trims.
This generation Enclave had a six-speed automatic transmission. As noted in the worst years section, the 2008 model had several complaints with this transmission, one being its hesitance to downshift. That’s definitely one to watch for at the dealership and during a test drive.
This first-generation Enclave received a mid-cycle refresh in 2013 with a new chrome waterfall grille, LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights. Inside, the 2013 Enclave got a new dashboard, ambient lighting, and a touchscreen infotainment display. It also added an industry-first front centre airbag.
Enclaves of this era offer pricing for a wide variety of budgets. At the low end, older vehicles with more than 200,000 kilometres on the clock are available for less than $10,000. At the high end, you’ll find well-equipped 2016 and 2017 units with 150,000 kilometres or less for $20,000 to $25,000.
