When the Buick Enclave first entered production in 2007, the full-size crossover was meant to ignite the brand’s renaissance in design, performance and what it meant to be badged with a Buick tri-shield emblem. The 2018 Buick Enclave looks to fan air on those renaissance embers as it becomes the first Buick to usher in the Avenir sub-brand.
And the 2018 Buick Enclave showcases what it means to be born by Avenir. Buick’s third product introduction of 2017 has been revealed on the eve of the 2017 New York International Auto Show with rakish, elegant new looks and the most premium execution we’ve seen from Buick thus far.
Riding on General Motors’ C1 platform, the 2018 Enclave shares bones with the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. But, a badge-engineered Buick it is not.
That’s a Buick (Avenir)
Specifically, Buick took the time to comb over the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir, saving details for the rest of the Enclave’s lineup for tomorrow. What goes into the making of an Avenir-branded Buick? Plenty. The 2018 Enclave Avenir receives Buick concept car-inspired touches such as a three-dimensional mesh grille, unique 20-inch wheels with a pearl nickel finish, Chestnut and Ebony interior, wood accented steering wheel and embroidered headrests. There’s even an air ionizer to eliminate odors and provide higher air quality inside the cabin.
Most importantly, there’s a lot of premium content that comes standard to make for a simple buying experience. Standard features include Evonik Acrylite lighting technology, heated and ventilated seats, dual moonroof, 360-degree surround vision camera system and an eight-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster. Buick has also borrowed from Cadillac; the nifty rear-view camera mirror is also standard.
Buick is making a big deal about the Evonik Acrylite technology, as it allows for “compound curvature” to create a completely smooth and flowing shape for the LED signature lighting. We admit it does add to the Enclave’s newfound, sculpted looks.
A host of active safety features are also available including, but not limited to, adaptive cruise control, forward automatic braking and more.
Underneath the Enclave Avenir
As mentioned, the 2018 Enclave Avenir rides on GM’s C1XX platform, but Buick has opted to make the 3.6-liter LFY V6 standard equipment here, as is a nine-speed automatic transmission. That’s in Avenir form, we’ll know more about the less premium Enclave tomorrow. The V6 is said to be good for 302 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It also provides enough guts to tow up to 5,000 pounds with a factory-installed towing package, according to the brand.
All-wheel drive is optional with the Avenir, and ride and handling is further enhanced with a MacPherson strut front suspension and premium rear suspension with continuously variable real-time damping. Kind of like the little brother to GM’s Magnetic Ride Control. As for Buick’s established QuietTuning sound dampening, the already hushed 2017 Enclave was a benchmark; expect the 2018 Enclave in any form to be whisper quiet inside.
Functional luxury
For all its luxury upbringings, consumers buy crossovers for their flexible utility offering. The 2018 Enclave Avenir doesn’t fall short. 23.6 cubic-feet of cargo space is available with the third row folded up (both the second- and third-row fold completely flat) and an additional 3.1 cubic feet can be found in the underfloor storage bin. A hands-free, programmable liftgate is also present and features a Buick tri-shield logo light to illuminate the ground below.
So, what’s an Enclave Avenir going to cost? We don’t know just yet. But, Buick may have a smash hit on its hands as consumers continue to go crossover crazy. The 2018 Enclave will go on sale this fall.
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Comments
Looks like another sales hit to me! So much more upmarket and refined looking. That grille on the Avenir really does it for me, though. Straight from the Avista, and very premium looking. I wish they had introduced it on the new Regal. Hoping the Regal GS follows lead of the new Enclave and pulls these touches from Avista.
look like kia sorento
http://media.caranddriver.com/images/15q1/654922/2016-kia-sorento-20t-awd-test-review-car-and-driver-photo-656222-s-450×274.jpg
shame on gm
Yes almost a direct copy, I can see they both have 4 wheels and are SUV type vehicles
I think it looks gorgeous. My folks have a 2016 and I thought it’s pretty. But this one they take it up a notch
I love it. I want one. Now!
I can definitely see this clashing with the Cadillac XT6/XT7. Unless the latter gets the 3.0TT and that Twin Clutch AWD comes standard, they’ll be fighting for sales.
It’s perfect for Buick, bad for Cadillac.
Putting a little pressure on Cadillac isn’t necessarily a bad thing, ya?
Exactly, Curtnik. That’s why all Cadillac crossovers must be Alpha/Omega-based… while a vehicle on the XT5 architecture would make a great Buick.
Avenir is fantastic. The design is segment leading sans Rover.
Frankly, Cadillac needs the pressure and may be best brand win. RWD no longer, since Audi, determines accolades or sales.
Frankly, Cadillac needs some pressure. Two kids, designers without acclaim created Avista which is the sort of good and solid design needed by Cadillac.
With two different sorts of luxury GM can seize greater market share. Cannibization will be minimal.
Since you mentioned Audi, a couple of things:
1. Audi’s claim to fame is their Quattro 4WD system. The best in the world up there with Subaru, but with more emphasis on performance. It’s got a permanent slight rear bias that made them famous for stomping the rally scene in the 80s. If Audi didn’t spend a ton of cash developing that drivetrain, they’d be no better than Buick or Volvo.
2. People act like every German luxury brand is on equal footing. They’re not. Mercedes-Benz is the team to beat. Cadillac’s problem with targeting BMW is that even BMW is, and will be scrambling over the next two years to put out products to compete.
Audi’s in a odd situation. Between Porsche and Audi, you’ve got a more complete luxury lineup. Audi alone seems to occupy a space between Tier 1 luxury (Cadillac), and Tier 2 luxury (Buick). They might be getting beat by BMW, but they’re definitely being beat by Mercedes-Benz.
It is a bad thing in this case.
When it comes to CUVs, what GM has now is similar to the Old GM, where there isn’t much differentiation between the brands, yet you can get charged a hefty margin over what’s mostly the same vehicle from a lesser, cheaper brand.
If anything, Cadillac’s CUV lineup is stifling Buick from being an all-out Audi/Volvo/Lincoln/Acura competitor.
The FWD vs. RWD platform debate isn’t just about driving wheels or driving experience in GM’s case. It’s about the assortment of available drivetrain and feature configurations that allow the brands to differentiate and justify price premiums. With these “GM” CUVs spread out among three lineups, they hamstring each division from reaching their potential.
My point is that with the Cadillac XT6 hasn’t been born yet and it’s already facing stiff competition from the new Enclave. People WILL cross-shop the two, and the Buick will look like the better value, all while NOT competing with Mercedes-Benz. It’s the opposite of what Cadillac leadership has been saying for the past few years.
Sadly the great looks are offset by mediocre performance. According to Buick release they are estimating 0-60 time of 7.2 with the fwd and 7.5 with Awd. If those times are accurate, I have zilch interest!
Who buys this kind of crossover based on 0-60 lol?
One that doesn’t want to see his $65k roof rack blown off by a $20k budgetmobile!
Just so happened that a dealership ad for the current Enclave was placed below the picture of the 2018 model, making a comparison very easy. The new model looks more premium and refined, the interior is simple and not over cluttered. My parents had a 2012 lacrosse and there buttons EVERYWHERE. I’m glad GM went with a v6 considering the vehicles size. Really loving the front end and more sculpted lines!
Is that a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe? (sigh) generic, generic, generic….
So is the Sorento and MDX lol
I love the interior. It gas that car show look but appears very usable.
Buick should do very well and this will set back Lincoln and Lexus from where they spare now.
One can only Imagine what Cadillac as coming to leap frog this.
Who’s the idiot at Buick who thinks we want a ton of plastic crap across our dashboard ? I didn’t buy the previous gen Buick for the same reason, hoping that this one would have a tasteful interior. Looks like I’m buying a traverse !
Where’s the plastic part?
I see leather, wood, and chrome… where is the plastic. I don’t see plastic.
Unless he’s just trolling around like Martin smek
It’s wood-grained plastic. The only option for the black leather interior is a pseudo-black wood grain that often shines purple. It stretches across the dash, and is very prominent where the shifter is, way too much in my opinion.
see pic here:
http://www.buick.com/enclave-mid-size-luxury-suv/index.html#/interior
I prefer a black leather with medium to dark brown wood interior, as many other vehicles have as an option.
You called that a lot of wood grain plastic? Have you not seen the 2013-2017 ones?
Trolling–I have owned two non-GMs in my life–67 years old and approximately 30 GM products! Currently own a C6 Platinum TT!
Remember what they say about assume!
I just don’t drink the Kool Aid. If something is lacking in a GM product, needs to be noted. I have issues with my C6 and personally feel the Enclave will start with a disadvantage of the underpowered normally aspirated 3.6!
C6? Or CT6?
You don’t actually think they used wood do you ?
So you must have a issue with plastic across the dashboard for this price? Because if your other option is a Traverse built to a lower price point, you will be even more plastic than what would come in a Buick. Also the wood look decent. It may not be real wood but the overall style of the Enclave dash does look modern and sophisticated.
Yes, and the lack of choice in the color. With black leather all you get is blackish-purple “wood”. If I could get the dark brown, then I wouldn’t mind it so much, however, the area near the shifter is very much plain and too overdone with”wood”. IMHO.
The nickel wheels are a very nice touch. I like all the soft touch material used on the interior. Doesn’t look like the interior was pieced together. Everything flows well. Should be a big hit. Nice to see some differential from its platform mates.
Looks pretty good.
Buick is getting their line-up together.
Great job GM! Only thing I don’t like is the rear wiper placement.
No car has a “perfect” design. I love the car but hate the tail lights. Regal lights would be better and a nicer trademark.
Not sure if this is just me, does any see the current Chevy Traverse especially in the rear quarter. Not a fan of the up-sweep on the belt line. the interior looks fantastic. Buick should do just fine with this.
I do somewhat agree. I feel that from certain angles that uplift in the belt line is going to be annoying but I feel that most of the time you’re not going to notice it.
You guys are acting like if the current model doesn’t have the up sweep belt line lol
But the current models up sweep isn’t as harsh as this one. This one seems to just shoot straight up and then swoop. It’s kind of steep but I feel that the rest of the design makes up for that.
Honestly if they didn’t do the sweep then I would think that it looks like the Infiniti JX35 or QX60 and that’s not a good thing
Imagine if they could drop a 3.0l twin turbo in this baby!
While I applaud the effort as I like the overall style of the Enclave. I do not feel Buick when far enough with the Avenir option. I really wish they would have more premium looking rims and diamond quilted leather. I just don’t think the Avenir package looks as premium as they believe it looks.
Love the soft grain leather and the wood on the steering wheel. I wish the steering wheel on the Denali line still had wood. The wood and upgraded leather makes it look classy.