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Community Question: Is The 2018 Buick Enclave Priced Right?

Buick says the 2017 LaCrosse sedan is its flagship vehicle, but it’s really more of a symbolic gesture. There’s no denying the 2018 Buick Enclave is truly the brand’s halo vehicle from a sales perspective. At one point, the nameplate also kicked off the brand’s design renaissance a decade ago as well.

So, here we are on the eve of the full-size crossover’s launch and we’re here to ask if the 2018 Buick Enclave is priced right, or if it may be asking too much of consumers’ share of wallet.

For a refresher, the 2018 Enclave will start at $40,970 when it goes on sale this fall, including destination. The starting price represents a $1,000 increase in the price, but Buick counters by saying there’s additional content loaded in, and the most popular trims are only $750 more than the outgoing model.

Things quickly approach the “F” word, though—that’s “fifty,” as in $50,000. The mid-range Enclave Essence starts at $45,190 with front-wheel drive and $47,190 before extras, and the Premium trim jumps to $48,990, or $51,290 for all-wheel drive. The 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir starts exclusively in the mid-$50,000 range at $54,390 or $56,690 with all-wheel drive.

Standard equipment on all 2018 Buick Enclaves includes push-button start, hands-free power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control and 18-inch wheels. So, really, even the base Enclave doesn’t sound like a bad place to be. The better-trimmed models simply pamper up and will certainly look premium.

So, what do you think? Are the prices in line for Buick, or is the Enclave moving into expensive territory? Mind you, the reason the Avenir sub-brand exists is because most buyers opted for the higher trims anyway. Have your say in the poll below and in the comment section.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. There are very few vehicles for which I would be willing to pay MSRP. I purchased an Enclave Premium II in 2014. I guess it would be an Avenir trim now. The MSRP is in line with what I would expect from a new model based on the MSRP listed on my vehicles Window Sticker. As long as the new Enclave improves upon the previous model. The Lacrosse (IMHO) improved on the previous Lacrosse mechanically, but not enough (if at all) in luxury appointments, especially in the interior.

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  2. Looking at the GMC Acadia, As production volume has trended higher, after being released a year ago, GM is offering more of a discount to MSRP. That said, I believe the margin to GM continues to improve for the Acadia, and the discount doesn’t hurt profits. This should also be true for the Enclave, in a year from now. This is a market pricing strategy.
    The good news is GM is a much more profitable auto company than they used to be.

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    1. The bad news is that once the three-row LWB Cadillac XT5 (XT6/XT7) shows up I can see the two competing with each other.

      As far as GM CUVs go, the current strategy with Chevy and Buick/GMC looks great until Cadillac joins the picture. With Buick/GMC improving in refinement and features, Cadillac doesn’t have much room to go, so at least one brand has to get the short stick.

      That could’ve been (still can be) avoided if GM invests in a truly modular RWD/AWD platform so Cadillac can use powertrain/performance to extend their price range further upmarket, giving Buick/GMC more room to grow unrestricted.

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  3. I mean the current top of the line enclave that dealers are selling is about the same price as the avenir model. So it doesn’t really surprise me that the new enclave that’s going to be on sale will be this expensive considering the amount of safety tech it’s putting into it. Besides, everything is turning out to be expensive including groceries so.

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  4. There’s lots of competition on the horizon — see more Infiniti QX60s than I do Enclaves.

    While certainly the pricing vis-à-vis previous models doesn’t seem unreasonable, maybe it’s time for a penetration strategy to sell more volume.

    This doesn’t necessarily have to be done with price — but by adding warranty, three years of OnStar and XM with factory leases, etc.

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  5. Remember, almost nobody buys a car like this new, they lease them and leasing is all about the payment. According to a dealer friend of mine the take rate on Enclave’s as well as Acadia Denali’s is over 70% lease. I have a 2015 Acadia Denali and a 2016 CT6 in my garage and I can tell you roughly what they sticker for but I know exactly what my lease payments are. The increase in price is a non-issue in my opinion.

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  6. I think I’ll just go with the poor man’s version: a 2018 Chevy Traverse 3LT and save myself $8-10K.

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  7. A top of the line fully loaded Buick Enclave should NOT top $50.000.

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  8. the Enclave & the Envision are over priced , and the Envision is imported from CHINA –both reasons are not good for sales

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  9. Selecting the Enclave as over priced is relative as all new vehicle pricing is beyond what most can afford.

    Is the MSRP high? Yes, but not out of line of its competitors.

    Give us a break GM, $700mo for 72 months is a huge expenditure. Imagine what you could do by saving that every month.

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  10. Buick is turning into the poor mans Cadillac . Although the Enclave is a ground up replacement from the last Gen. pricing is what can either help or kill a new model . I’m not sure if it is over-priced , and it’s possible that the mid-model will sell better than the rest . It will be interesting to see how well the Avenir sells and if it will be similar to the Denali version of GMC .
    Buick did the right thing by keeping it a three row crossover so all the soccer Mom’s out there will have a Buick to look at for purchase . The vehicle is built at the factory very near to where I live and I barely see any on the road , there are more Traverse’s tooling around instead .
    But getting into the 50 G+ range is getting high for the average household . If you have to take out a loan for 72 months for a vehicle then is it really affordable ? When term rates were for 48 months that used to be the norm and going to 60 months were stretching it and now 72 months tells me that cars are getting so expensive for most families . It’s ok if you hold onto it for 10 years as most cars will last that long and even longer because of the quality built in to all / most cars anymore .
    The Buick is an attractive looking CUV and should do well in the marketplace .

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  11. The article fails to mention to real deal killer for this vehicle and the 2018 Traverse-the Mandatory non defeatatable STOP/START system that is what no customer asked for or wanted. It will generate great revenues for GM in starter and battery maintenance/replacement in return for a few $$ forgovernment “environmental credits” to GM for sticking their customer base with this worst new idea since those nifty starter switches that killed more than a few and cost the General $Billions in court settlements
    For icing on the cake after a few miles, should the STOP/START system not be dead letter perfect when you need immediate evacuation of an intersection (when that drunk or meth head is flying high in your direction) then you will cause you to wonder the value of your purchase no matter what you paid for it!
    I have been in the market for either of these two new SUVs to replace my Acadia but no thanks, I am not that stupid. BMW, one of the first automakers to use this type of system has given their dealers the programming to defeat their STOP/START system since so many of their customers complained. Even Toyota on their Highlander has a dashboard button to defeat their STOP/START system, hard to believe the Europeans and Japanese automakers are more customer oriented than General Motors!

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    1. You know if you put it into manual mode it defeats it right?

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    2. I agree! I have a 2013 Cruze that a love and I am a huge GM fan but I am seriously considering a different company to buy from after I am through with my Cruze if GM is still putting this start/stop in their cars at the time. I don’t like it one bit. It would be ok if you could turn it off like my aunt’s BMW. More people need to complain about it more vocally and maybe we can get GM to do something because it’s ridiculous they’re forcing this feature down our throats with no off button.

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  12. Unfortunately, GM has released nothing on the operation and ABSOLUTELY nothing of a technical nature to the public, only talking head marketing information of no value. The dealers I have discussed it with are pretty ignorant on the system other than saying it cannot be defeated and they do not like it either but it is take it or leave it time. I expect in short order the YouTube followers will come up with some way to cobble it up, much as they have on the F150 system (jumper wire) or reprogramming of some sort.
    Most of the media to date refuse to discuss it, I assume for concerns over offending GM and possible loss of advertising revenue. I did see a review of the new Chevy Equinox this week by Automobile Magazine and the reviewer was quite negative on the STOP/START system on that new vehicle so I have to give them credit for having the confidence to call a turkey a turkey. It is a shame as the Enclave and the Traverse have great potential, but not with STOP/START systems like a North Carolina gasoline mountain golf cart!

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    1. Have you even tried out a stop start system? I mean you really just sound like a negative Nancy without even trying the system. It is worth noting that putting into manual mode as well as the stop start system will not be enabled with circumstances

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  13. Because of a purposeful total lack of technical or operational information released by GM to date there is no way to be assured there is a way to defeat it. I do not know what you mean by “manual operation”? Do you mean a defeat button on the dash or riding both brake and gas pedals with both feet or going with manual paddle shift operation? If you have driven a new 2018 Traverse or Enclave and work for GM in some role, lets see some detail and where you got it for the benefit of the readers of this blog.
    Unless GM or a person in the media has released some details officially, it appears that GM is pushing making their customer base to “let ’em eat cake” in return for a few bucks from the last regime in DC.
    No my name is not Nancy, just an informed consumer that insists on not being treated like an idiot by a vendor wanting me to purchase a $60K vehicle which is at best worth $40K.

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    1. Do yourself a favor and look up “manumatic mode” for automatic transmission. While you’re at it, look up the term “Negative Nancy”. It would be so much helpful for your everyday lesson.

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  14. GM products have been going up in price but little in quality. The product is shrinking in size saving GM input cost but the quality seems to be relatively the same. GM sells shiny nice looking toys that are of relative poor quality and then GM wonders why people arent buying GM products.

    My family (brothers sisters uncles and ants ) refuses to buy more GM anything until they get a handle on quality TSBs dont cut it anymore when other manufacturers have gotten their act together.

    Good Luck GM you have lost even more loyal customers

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  15. With Avenir Enclaves tripping over 60K for AWD versions I would for sure say they are overpriced. Ditto the High Country trim level Traverse at mid 50’s. IMO the Chevy version should be capped at around 49K and the high end Buick around 55-56K. I really wish they used the Acadia’s 3.6 with AFM instead of coming up with yet another variation of the 3.6 family, in this case the LFY, which is basically the old LFX with stop/start grafted on. It should have a defeat button as it does with literally every other manufacturer except GM which is downright arrogant. That or get rid of it altogether and come up with something better. Heck I would take the eAssist setup over the plain stop/start system as it seems to be better designed and smoother.

    Comparing the 2.5 with stop/start as used in the Impala it’s MPG rated at 22/30. Now look at the LaCrosse with the same engine tied to eAssist and it’s MPG goes up to 25/35, a worthwhile improvement. They should consider offering this on the 3.6 in the Traverse and Enclave. Assuming similar mileage improvements as above that would equate to roughly 21/30 and more power to the wheels from the generator. It would make a nice option so that the base 3.6 can lose stop/start or get a defeat button for those that don’t want it.

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