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Buick Pre-Announces All-New Enclave To Launch By End Of 2019

Buick has just announced that it will present an all-new Enclave later this year in China. “An all-new Enclave?”, you might ask. That’s right, an all-new Enclave… though not really an all-new Enclave. Let us explain.

Buick did not disclose any details of the new model, but we know that the all-new Enclave in question will not be the same second-generation, full-size crossover that has been on sale in North America since 2017. In fact, the full-size Buick Enclave currently on sale in North America is not and has never been sold in China. Instead, the new Enclave will be a new model that’s smaller than the current, full-size Enclave. Previously, we reported that the vehicle in question will be called Buick Envoy, but it now appears that this will not be the case – and that GM has elected to use the Enclave name for the model.

Buick Envoy Spy Photos - February 2019 - Exterior - LED Lighting Signature - Headlamp 001

As we reported last year, the Buick Enclave destined for China will ride on the short version of the GM C1 platform. According to our sources, the upcoming utility is known internally within GM by the C1UB program code. It will share its core architectural makeup and overall dimensions with the new Cadillac XT6 and the upcoming three-row Chevy Blazer. That would make it not quite a midsize CUV, and not quite a full-size CUV. As such, we’ve termed it “midsize plus.”

Potential Buick Enclave Crossover Lineup
GM Program Code Brand Name Size Class Seating Platform Market
C1YB Buick Enclave Full-Size 3 rows, 2-2-3 C1 Long Wheelbase North America only
C1UB Buick Enclave / Enclave GX? Mid-Size Plus 3 rows, 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 (expected) C1 Short Wheelbase China only (expected)

We are certain that this model will be sold in China, becoming Buick’s largest utility in that market. Whether or not it will arrive in North America is currently unclear.

Buick Envoy Spy Photos - February 2019 - Exterior - LED Lighting Signature - Headlamp 003

What’s more, the naming is somewhat curious. Our sources initially indicated that GM China was deciding between two names – Enclave and Envoy – for the upcoming midsize utility, and that they were leaning toward the latter. But this announcement confirms that Buick has opted to use the Enclave name.

Expected Buick Crossover Lineup
Subcompact Subcompact Premium Compact Compact Premium Midsize Plus Full-Size
Expected model: Encore Encore GX Envision Envision GX or Enspire Enclave Enclave GX?
Expected market: China only Global China only Global China only North America only

It remains to be seen whether or not the Enclave moniker will be accompanied by another identifier, such as GX – which Buick started doing recently on the second-generation Encore. It introduced a more basic model of the subcompact CUV simply as the new Encore, as well as a slightly larger and more premium model called Encore GX. Since the GX moniker denotes a more premium and larger model, it’s possible that this midsize plus model will be called Enclave, while the larger, full-size Enclave sold in North America will be renamed to Enclave GX.

Three Row Chevrolet Blazer Spy Shots - Exterior - September 2018 005

In the meantime, we believe that the Envoy and Enspire names could still be used on future Buick vehicles, especially for the model assigned program code E2UB – which would essentially be Buick’s version of the Cadillac XT4. We recently saw that model undergoing testing for the very first time.

In any case, Buick says that the new Enclave will complete the range of its utility vehicles, joining the new Encore, Encore GX and Envision in the Chinese market. In turn, the introduction of the new midsize CUV will improve the brand’s overall competitiveness in one of the most popular vehicle segments in the industry.

The all-new Enclave will be presented during the last quarter of 2019 in China, as the largest Buick utility that has been manufactured in that country. According to our sources, the new Enclave will be produced at the Jinqiao Cadillac plant starting in January 2020.

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Deivis is an engineer with a passion for cars and the global auto business. He is constantly investigating about GM's future products.

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Comments

  1. Where is everyone telling us how terrible it’s going to be?

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  2. If this is a China only CUV, then the only midsize CUVs GM has in the US are the Acadia, and the Blazer while the XT6, Enclave and Traverse are midsize-plus models. That seems asymmetric in the model lineup. The 2020 Acadia actually looks really nice, but I was hoping there would be a comparable Buick model. C’est la vie.

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    1. Not exactly.

      Midsize: Blazer, Acadia, XT5. Acadia is the bigger of the three.

      Midsize plus: three-row Blazer (China), this here Enclave (also for China), and XT6.

      Full-size: Enclave (for North America) and Traverse.

      Reply
      1. Shouldn’t Acadia join the other 3 rows in your second category?

        From the Envision’s sales plummet, I’d say Buick needs a new midsize 2 row pronto.

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        1. The Acadia is almost the same size as the Blazer, just slightly longer for a 3rd Row that you can delete in one of the Trims.

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  3. Alex, was there some type of press release? Or how did you find this out??

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    1. Real journalism via a local press event. No press release.

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      1. Oh. Interesting!

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        1. what does it matter where the info comes from? I’ve been coming to GMA for years and have seen nothing but accurate information and stories. Why the question?

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          1. Your referring to my question? SMH. There are some people out there who are just curious b/c they haven’t seen this posted on official media sites. Is there a problem with that?

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            1. So do you go and verify everything written on GMA by checking press releases?

              It just doesn’t make any sense… what reason do you have for wanting a press release when you have a huge report right here on this site? Not following your logic whatsoever.

              Reply
              1. Too bad, you don’t have to. Have a great day!

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      2. I find you guys scoop a lot of things first and they most always pan out to be right.

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  4. Interesting. Maybe we’ll see a variant of this vehicle in the US as a Buick Envoy? I know GM is investing heavily in crossovers now, but I really wish we’d see an upper/mid sized sedan being tested for Buick by now. Preferably one that shares a chassis with the next generation Malibu and is styled/designed in the more daring “American Buick” fashion like the previous generation Enclave, previous generation LaCrosse, or the Avista concept.

    I like the North American Enclave, but it has two pretty big flaws:

    1. The styling, both inside and out, lacks the “wow” factor of the original Enclave. It’s still a great vehicle, but it definitely doesn’t look or feel like a more tasteful alternative to the Lexus RX350 or Acura MDX – and those are two vehicles that Buick should be setting their sights on. The original was a knockout when it made its debut. I have similar opinions on the LaCrosse – the current generation feels more like a Chevrolet/Ford/Toyota competitor than a Buick.

    2. No disable feature for the start/stop system. Buick prides itself on providing a comfortable, quiet, and stress-free driving experience. Credit where due – Buick’s Start/Stop system is very smooth with smaller 4 cylinders like the ones featured on the Regal or Envision. While the Enclave’s system with the big 3.6L engine is still a smoother automatic start than any of the competitors, it’s still something drivers notice and conflicts with the intended goal of Buick. The competitors allow you to disable their start/stop systems. The Buick has no such switch to disable the system.

    I feel like the Chinese influence on Buick’s design is pushing them in a more bland, generic direction in terms of styling and quality. They are nice executive vehicles in China, but in the US they are turning more mainstream than they did just 10 years ago.

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  5. I really love the XT4. It drives and handles great! Its easily one of the best looking vehicles in Caddys lineup and the class as a whole. and its really a great value considering what you get.

    Not impressed with the XT6. Very much underestimated the XT4.

    Sorry to beat a dead horse.

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    1. GMA really needs to update their pics of the xt4. The optional trim and the 19″ Equinox wheels need to go. -Get a pic of an actual car available. Come on GMA!

      Reply
  6. Hi Alex,
    Great journalism work learning this! But looking at the “Expected Buick Crossover Lineup” above, am I understanding correctly that Buick will only have three vehicles in the USA (Encore GX, Envoy or Enspire, Enclave GX)? With all of the activity (such as spyshots) and GM saying how Buick USA and Buick China would be more closely aligned, it’s surprising if Buick USA gets next to no really new vehicles to replace the Verano, Regal, and LaCrosse. Has GM filed a trademark application for Enclave GX? Have you discovered any more about the Buick Envista? What do you think is more likely to be brought to the US: the GL8 or the Buick Velite 6 MAV? Thank you very much.

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    1. Yeah, great question. North America will definitely have the Encore GX, the Enspire and the current Enclave (perhaps rechristened to Enclave GX). That’s three right there. The big question is whether the next-gen Envision will come to North America. If it does, that will be four… but we’re unclear about that at the moment.

      No trademark applications for Enclave GX at the moment. The Velite is a China-only affair.

      Not sure what else is in the cards for Buick in North America, but I think the Regal line is here to stay for a bit… in one form, or another.

      Will continue digging.

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      1. So no new sedans at this point?

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      2. Thank you very much, Alex! I hope that GM gives USA Buick more product, or else the line-up will have shrunk back to the 1998 level when they only had the Century, Regal, and LeSabre (and the Century and Regal at that time looked very similar).

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      3. Hi Alex. In an email, Buick said they have production startup dates for the Regal range, Encore, Envision, and Enclave. As of now, that’s a total of 4. Not sure if Enspire is confirmed or not…

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  7. Ha ha. When GM ramps up production and finds out they cant import them because of tariffs? Another failure , another write-down , and stuck with a domestic line-up that depends on 2.75 per gallon gas. Once China starts making Buick copies on their own we are going to hear the howling from Ms. Barra for another bail-out. Trump will go all in on that, right?

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    1. Haha? They’re not planning on bringing the car in question here… so tariffs are irrelevant.

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      1. Looks like Bruce didn’t read the article. He just saw the word China and assumed that GM plans on importing the car from China to America. Honestly Alex I don’t know why you even bother responding to these types of comments. Your dedication is impressive!

        Reply
  8. Fore Score and seven yeers ago, Bees learned to fly

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  9. How new is new given that the 2020 Buick Enclave will have a 3.6L DOHC-4v V6, a 9-speed automatic transmission, FWD with AWD optional, a MacPherson Strut front suspension with a 5-Link rear independent suspension; the only thing that will change is tweaks to the sheetmetal and possibly the HVAC controls as this is essentially the blueprint for almost every vehicle coming out of General Motors and is another possible reason to fire GM CEO Mary Barra.

    Reply
  10. Will the US get both the Encore and Encore GX?

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  11. If I understand GM’s game plan, Buick will not have an equivalent midsize, Chi based, short wheelbase CUV like the Blazer and Acadia? That seems like a gap in the lineup. That seems strange. Or is the Envoy supposed to be that model?

    Reply
  12. when can i order a 2020 buick enclave.

    Reply

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