The Buick Enclave has been around since the 2008 model year, making the 2017 Enclave the ninth year of the first-generation full-size crossover just ahead of the all-new second-generation model. And now, according to GM’s recently-published order guide for the 2017 Buick Enclave, the Lambda-based CUV is getting two changes to close out its first generation.
To start, the Midnight Amethyst Metallic exterior color is discontinued while a new Enclave Sport Touring Edition package is added. The Enclave Sport Touring includes:
- Satin Black Ice-toned grille
- 20″ Chrome-clad cast aluminum wheels with Satin Black Ice-toned pockets
To note: we initially believed that the 2017 Enclave will be the all-new, second-gen model. However, we now believe that the all-new, second-generation Enclave will come to market for the 2018 model year vehicle as the 2018 Buick Enclave on the long wheelbase version of GM’s C1XX platform.
Following are RPO-level changes and updates to the 2017 Buick Enclave:
Deletions
- (G7U) Midnight Amethyst Metallic exterior color
New Features
- (PDP) Enclave Sport Touring Edition includes:
- (TY4) Satin Black Ice-toned grille
- (PJK) 20″ Chrome-clad cast aluminum wheels with Satin Black Ice-toned pockets
Comments
I wonder what the ST Edition look like now
Not a terribly flattering shot of, what, a 2013 Enclave?
It’s a 2015. No changes have been made to the exterior for the 2017 versus the 2015.
PS: the shot is actually from a TV commercial for the Enclave.
While they can’t drop the LT1 6.2L OHV-2v V8 or the LGW 404 hp twin-turbo 3.0L DOHC-4v V6; one would think the Enclave would be incredible with even a slight jump in horsepower.. like the 5.3 Liter V8 EcoTec3 L83 engine especially with an output of 380 / 283 @ 5600 (E85 – SAE certified) and since this engine like the LT1 has active engine management with cylinder deactivation would mean mileage shouldn’t suffer too much from LGX 3.6L V6 engine.
You would think as a last hurrah they’d throw a neat engine in there. Like the 5.3 or the new 4.3.
The engine in Enclave is not LGX 3.6 (used from 2016) and not even LFX 3.6 (used from 2012) – the engine is LLT 3.6 (used from 2009) since 2009 (2008 Enclave model year used older LY7). They didn’t update it since then.
I’ve asked the question “Why?” on this forum and some person on this forum answered, that they didn’t update the engine mounts and didn’t install the newer engine, because it was not worth the investment – the current engine is good enough.
So, I wouldn’t expect them to install a different engine in 1st gen Enclave, especially at this time point.
BTW, the current engine is fine for general needs, because Enclave is a 7 seat or 8 seat family mover, and it does 0-60 around 8.5 seconds, which is already good enough for a SUV/CUV this size.
I think it’s just the lambda platform mates can’t handle anything that’s over 300 hp that’s what it is
It is neither one of those reasons. The architecture was designed for the last-gen LLT. It takes the even older LY7 too, but that motor was a stop-gap until the LLT arrived. The engine compartment is set up in a unique (very tight) way, and re-configuring it for the LFX or newer LGX was deemed too big of a project that was too costly for the first generation. Even so, it doesn’t seem that the archaic LLT has slowed sales of the Enclave either… or maybe it’s just that the crossover market is so hot right now that even CUVs with outdated powertrains sell well.
2017 would be 10th model year for Enclave, not 9th. Count yourselves:
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
The number of model years = last year – first year + 1
BTW, I was surprised at some point that, on Enclave, since 2008 they never managed to update either the old steering wheel or the old instrument cluster with the old tiny two row monochrome DIC screen. And that’s on the most expensive Buick, on the Enclave (same thing with other Lambda crossovers, actually). Steering wheel and DIC are way more modern even on my rather old 2010 2nd gen LaCrosse, than on 2016 and 2017 Enclave. Odd to me.
Why the driver’s stuff (steering wheel and DIC) wasn’t updated during 2013 Enclave refresh (or even later) is a mystery to me. Looks so “old-school” now. Maybe they just decided that since Enclave has good sales, they won’t bother doing anything with this.
is 2017 the last year for the enclave?