The 2018 Buick Enclave is a very important product for the brand. When the first Enclave debuted, it kicked off the brand’s self-proclaimed renaissance and success ensued. Finally, we have a second-generation Enclave, and GM chief crossover engineer at General Motors, Rick Spina, shared plenty of insight into the car in a new Autoline episode.
Spina touches on numerous topics during the discussion, but most of the chat revolves around what makes the 2018 Enclave an Enclave and not just a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The engineer said design and various engineering areas help the Buick come into its own. The team was well aware that a different buyer exists for the Enclave versus the Traverse, and the design and packaging reflect those notions.
And with the second-generation Enclave, it’s more of the same, but better, per Spina. The team looked at what made the Enclave so successful and ensured its loyal buyers found more to love in a familiar package. And, for those wondering, the 2018 Enclave Avenir has already shown promise as a successful sub-brand with early sales.
Check out the entire discussion up above.
Comments
I was really surprised to hear the lack of real wood on the Avenir model. I also accept his explanation of why safety features are only available on higher spec models, but that has to change.
Quite a stunning looking vehicle…beautiful direction for Buick.
I have the 2018 Enclave, Premium edition (With the extra options, it’s almost an Avenir, without the Avenir grill). Absolutely love it.
I’m seriously looking at the Enclave but just figured out it is 4 inches longer than our minivan! I was shocked. That could be a deal breaker if it doesn’t fit in the garage. 🙁
i said it before i will say it again GM has to fix their option / standard items . you can get a foreign rav4 and have side alert but you have to get the premium levels to get this in a GM car . Produce one model and allow the customer to choose the options
That would be expensive to implement. GM just needs to adjust their packages to include more safety items.
It’s a real headscratcher to determine who Buick competes against as you have Chevy below Buick and Cadillac above Buick…Obviously it’s not competing against luxury boutique brands like Jag/Land Rover, JDN himself told Motortrend the CT6 is NOT a MB/Audi/BMW competitor which leads me to believe Caddys direct competitor is Lexus/Acura/Infiniti/Lincoln and therefore not Buick…Maybe Buick’s on the same level as Volvo? Maybe even Subaru, Mazda?
I would like to ask Rick if at 50,001 or 70,001 I will have to replace the timing chain, and the steering gear like our 2009 with 78,000 miles at our expense. Or does he think it will last even 100,000 miles. O yeah now its new 3.6 V6, and a new electric steering gear. If they do fail will GM give “Special “extended warranty to only the people who bought them new, or all of us people who own them with 50,001 or 70,001, or is it up to a dealer, a good dealer, or a bad dealer. A Ford, Dodge, Kia, Toyota, Hyundai dealer who sells GM, or a GM dealer who sells Ford, Dodge, Kia, Toyota, Hyundai. Just a question?
Let me add another comment. We need a ECU update (and a button later) to disable this auto-stop for those of us that simply don’t like the feature. I’m told by the dealer and GM rep – no current way to disable auto-stop. There are workaround hacks, etc… My point is – I paid good $$ for that Enclave that I really like – however this annoying (to me) feature can not be turned off (disabled, inhibited, etc). I know about the operating conditions and currently work around it using the shift lever.
Yeah I just don’t get it Ken. My uncle bought a new Mercedes and signed a document at the dealership to have the seatbelt alarm disabled DONE. O yeah and he bought a Mercedes because his sister my mom had a 99 Deville with the head bolt trouble 95,000 and Cadillac did nothing Customer Service. Any way back to things we can’t understand. My 2015 Canyon GMC floor liners great, went to buy the same things for 2017 Denali 2500HD they have a cut out under the gas pedal, the most vulnerable spot, so I have GMC ones in the rear and Weathertech in the front, and they don’t have the cutout, but a paper stating don’t get them caught under the gas pedal, DONE.
Agreed wholeheartedly…
Love the new 2018 redesigned Buick Avenir and the safety package available, but we hate the only interior choice of black and dark brown. We were ready to purchase until this was shown as the ONLY interior option available. We can only hope GM makes other interior options available for the 2019 Avenir model like the premium model offers.