The 2025 Buick Enclave is poised to introduce a brand-new third generation for the three-row crossover nameplate, with a long list of updates and changes on the docket. Among these is new exterior styling, and although the official debut has yet to occur, we already know exactly what it will look like thanks to a series of recent spy photos. Now, we want to know – is the 2025 Buick Enclave hot, or not?
For those readers who may have missed it, GM Authority published a series of spy photos showing off the new 2025 Buick Enclave exterior design before you’re supposed to see it, giving us an eyeful of what the overhauled three-row crossover will look like when it finally hits prime time. Let’s start up front, where we find a relatively familiar fascia design that takes its cues from the Wildcat EV concept that debuted in 2022, with slim upper lighting signatures, a wide front grille section flanked by prominent Y-shaped trim bits, and squared-off forward-facing lighting in the corners.
The profile shows off a much boxier shape than the silhouette presented by the outgoing model, drawing similarities to a few other GM crossovers along the way, including the new Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia, as well as the smaller Cadillac XT6. The roofline falls at a sharp angle down into the liftgate, with a prominent spoiler added to the top of the hatch, while the rear end features wide, horizontal lighting elements that wrap around from the rear quarter panels and across the hatch. Lower in the tail, we see a pair of parallelogram-shaped exhaust outlets.
As a reminder, the 2025 Buick Enclave features the turbocharged 2.5L I4 LK0 gasoline engine and rides on the GM C1 platform.
So then, with all that covered, we still want to know – is the 2025 Buick Enclave hot, or not? Tell us by voting in the poll below, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Buick Enclave news, Buick news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
In the last Century, Buicks were recognizable from a distance. They were Special with the Sweepspear, Ventiports, and oval, toothy, waterfall grille. There were Regal lines and undulations that made the brand stand out.
This new “Enclave” LaCrosses out everything that made the brand special in the past. I am already sick of the squinty, trapezoidal face that somehow only works on the cheapest model, the Envista. The door sharing thing precludes a nice hip line at the rear door and into the quarter panels that would lend some Buick DNA to the car.
The new Enclave is washed out, generic and off-putting, where a Buick should be sensuous, romantic, organic and memorable, like a vacation on the French Riviera. It is more like a trip to Target where the Traverse is a trip to Wal-Mart. Blah.
Remember, Mary wants to scrap any and all tradition in the company…
The early Enclaves were immediately distinguishable by the little round “bump” at the base of the rear window. A gem of a design cue, IMO. Small and instantly recognizable, while not being overbaked like much of GMs current product line.
I 100% agree; With the 100 year plus heritage of Buick, how did this “design” even happen? Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell would fire whomever approved this. All I can think – noticing that they’ve used almost all of the new Acadia and Traverse body panels etc., is that GM figures they’ll spend their design efforts and money on future EVs or Hybrids. I am extremely disappointed with this and, simply, will not buy one. Why can’t, for the love of God, can’t the design studio park a ’63 to ’65 Riviera, and a ’64 to ’68 Wildcat in the studio, and try and work towards SOMETHING better that this generic looking BYD replica “box”?
NOT. While I think it will still be a great overall vehicle considering it has almost a minivan like 3rd row seat, I was hoping for a fully revolutionary look to it. Buick did an excellent job on the newer Envision and Envista models, GM did an excellent job on the latest Traverse and Acadia, so I was expecting the same here. The rear looks the same as the new Lincoln Nautilus and Lexus TX, but my biggest gripe is the black body cladding. I don’t hate black body cladding, but it doesn’t go well with this new Buick look. None of the other Buick models have this and its more for Chevrolet and GMC. Not Buick. I hope the Avenir fixes this issue.
Does not look like a BUICK…..
I’ve been wondering whether perhaps this is a GM prank. Perhaps they created an ugly prototype intentionally just to throw the Enclave loyalists off, and then they will later reveal the true, redesigned Enclave, embodying the class and bold styling that we have come to associate with the Enclave brand. I mean, it has to be the case, right. I mean, they wouldn’t intentionally murder the Enclave brand like this, would they?
Looks like a new 2024 GMC Acadia with a Buick grill!😳
The Enclave has always had a look of class that the Traverse and Acadia didn’t. In no world should a Buick have Black cladding on any trim level. There’s time to fix it, get it done.
I think it’s fine but what disappoints me is this poll question. What was the need. for it after some 125 responses were made to the initial story showing the Enclave and almost all of them were (over the top) negative? Again I like the styling and it’s consistent with Buicks current design theme. I think this is the Preferrred trim which is the lowest. I want to see the Avenir trim which likely will have a different mesh grille and some more chrome including the badging.
Came here to say the same thing about why the question even needed to asked. When the initial story broke it got the most comments I’ve seen on any recent article, and the most negative comments.
Like the admins are going to read all 125 comments on the last post. “Hot or not” polls are common, and we don’t just skip them because you feel like the question’s already been answered. What’s wrong with people these days?
Still waiting for the new enclave because this is just an Envista XL with a 3rd row in which I’m not a fan. Based off the sketches, I thought buick was adopting a grand cherokee and grand highlander look an style but I guess not
Rear of the A-pillar? Functional, but nothing really Buick about it. Could be anybody’s crossover.
Forward of the A-pillar? Train wreck. The grille is too big and the headlamps too small, both to absurd levels. And if looks aren’t enough we’ve got a deal-breaker four cylinder under the hood.
The refresh can’t come soon enough.
Forget the refresh, this is ready for a complete new 4th gen already.
What’s going on with Buick lately reminds me of what they did with Oldsmobile in the late 90’s. They completely changed their style to try to chase some new buyers that never came and in the process turned off their loyal buyers. The difference is that the late 90’s Oldsmobiles looked good.
I have owned 7 Buicks and there is nothing that they currently have that appeals to me.
Well, they still have the reliability scores. Not that reliability scores emotional connection to the product.
Looks at least 10 years old. The first Enclave was very sharp for the time. This is totally lackluster!!!
Someone emailed me about styling based on my comment. They said that new are designed by computers for aerodynamics, but people have to put input into those computers for that anyway. A vehicle doesn’t have to resemble a block of ice, with egg shape over the top to be aerodynamic. It can definitely have some cool body lines and still be aerodynamic. Plus, I also read an article yesterday, where has not even one vehicle in their lineup that is recommended as top pick. In this day and time, I not only find that inexcusable with current technology, I deem a huge finger in your face to your customers for there life and expense of buying a vehicle that doesn’t come close to being safe, without all electronic gadgets to help out. Huge cost measures on GM’s part to pad there bottom line for the price of human life .
Red, is defiantly not its color
The current generation Enclave is a very good-looking SUV, the next gen Enclave is UGLY!!!
Boring
I would need it to see the Avenir version and the interior to decide, but this particular one is not.
Add a V-6 engine to this Enclave. There is no way the Enclave is going to make it in the near-luxury SUV space in which it intends to compete if it only offers a four-cylinder engine. Yes, I know the new 2.5L turbo-4 is rated to offer more horsepower than the 3.6L V-6 it replaces, but that alone won’t save this car. The existing 2.7L TurboMax four—closely related to this new 2.5L engine—is coarse and noisy. The Cadillac CT4-V uses the 2.7L four, and it’s coarse and noisy. Four-cylinder engines are coarse and noisy, period. I see nothing that makes me expect the new 2.5L four will go against type and be exceptionally smooth and quiet, which it desperately needs to be if it’s to have any chance at all. And that alone will kill this Enclave. A turbo V-6 will do nicely, but this SUV needs at least six cylinders to succeed. Simple as that.
Most negative – the front end grille, etc. is awful.
I’ve traded my 2023 Enclave in for a 2024 GMC Sierra SLT… best decision I ever did.
Chick’s dig me now🤣🤣
NOT!! J.A.F.X.U.V.
The front (grill & lights) looks like a Chevy, not like a Buick.
This looks like a Traverse built on the same line and plant with a couple different emblems. This is a good sized family vehicle but would never buy one with a 4 cylinder engine. I really don’t care what GM says about the horsepower of the 2.5 liter. Unless this Buick is a big fleet sale vehicle it will not be a success. The same engine will go into the traverse, and Acadia and will hurt GM in this segment. I have owned 2 Chevy Traverse that has the 3.6 liter 6 cylinder and both are smooth and powerful. All 3 of these vehicles are built at the same location and if I worked there I would be concerned. Customers are not asking for little 4 cylinders but GM does want they want anyway like making EV’s.
I bought the first-generation Buick Enclave because of the flowing lines; it was said to be designed after the hills on a golf course. I loved every angle of view; it was sexy in a way. The 2025 Enclave looks like it was designed after prison walls; it’s a box with a face only a mother could love. It should sell well as a taxi.
Agreed not a cohesive design like the last model. Looks like an existing platform with a nose and bootie job. The four banger also a non start at the assumed pricepoint.
I switched to a caddy XT6 to get something slightly smaller and still 3 rows of seats AND a V6. I heard the V6 was going away in the Enclave. I will not be driving a turbo 4 unless there is nothing else available.
Well the Buick Enclave had a good run 2008 – 2024 l guess as the old saying goes. All good things must come to an end. I had a feeling they were going to ruin the Enclave being that they are putting tha god awful front-end design language on all the Buicks . It drives me crazy every time l hear and a read that Buick new design language is based off the Buick Wildcat concept. That couldn’t be more wrong. If that was true all these new and upcoming Buicks would be stunning they look nothing like the Wildcat concept. My question is always this why do 99% of concepts never look like the concepts. They’re always a waterd down or completely different version of the concept or most annoying the concept was never going to be made and before you say the concept are juts for show where the design language is going. No no it’s not. Case in point the new Buicks don’t look like the Buick Wildcat
the Wildcat concept . . . Something was always off with that convoluted front end design, I could never get past that strange greenhouse shape – it just didn’t look right. And then to take the design language and use it for your line if SUVs – here’s the result. . . barf
Just plain “UGLY”
I can’t wait to get my hands on one!!!!
Erwin: Why?
Looks too much like a ford
I am stunned — stunned — by all the negative comments of yesterday —- and they are so “right on.” Now
owning my third Enclave, looks like my 4th will be a left-over 2024 that I hope will be available
this summer. Bottom line: the 2025 Enclave will be underpowered and butt ugly!
My ’22 looks a lot better.
As an owner of a 2019 Buick Enclave Avenir, I’m totally disappointed in this ‘25 Enclave. We purchased our Enclave for its elegant styling and performance. So satisfied with this one that when the time comes to replace it we were going to buy a new one. Not now. The Buick team really blew it with this new one.
The front end looks hideous and to give it a 4 cylinder was the final nail in the coffin for us. I have a ‘23 Colorado with a turbo 4 and it’s noisy but it is a truck. Enclaves are supposed to be luxury vehicles.
Of course this is just my opinion. Obviously, sales will determine who’s right and who’s wrong.
Stay tuned.
Time to put only 2 port holes on the fenders representing a 4 banger loud engine.Hate to say THIS ,but I think KIA took all GM style designers and pays them more.We still have our 08 Enclave 3.6 Retro design of 58 Buicks with modern flare it worked.Maybe Bring back Tiger Woods would help with this failure of once loved Buicks..I still have my Oldsmobiles .Am I gonna say goodbye to my Buicks….?
I’m afraid we should have said “goodbye” when we had a chance.
Sometimes cars look dull in photos but are great when you see the real thing.
As someone stated, it does not “look” like a Buick… hopefully the production car will have a “waterfall” grill and some sort of portholes. In the photo it looks tail heavy, …. behind the rear wheels.
Larry K Greenwalt: I did the exact same thing. I bought the 2024 Cadillac XT6 AWD with the V6. Had I known the Enclave V6 was going away in 2025, I would have purchased a 2024 Enclave instead of the Cadillac. The only reason for buying the Cad was I wanted something different as I had been driving Enclaves for many years—the people who drive luxury midsize SUVs like the V6 for trailering and, yes, performance. Not everyone wants a truck or large SUV.
No it’s not. It’s a copy of the Acadia with an ugly grille. A Buick should be stylish.
This is a sad end to the Enclave. This is the last ICE version of what was a great car with 16 years of great reviews and lots of repeat customers. To Mary Barra and Duncan Aldred if you are readiing this, put this on HOLD and send the designers back to the design studios.
Let the 2025 Enclave be a show stopper.
David: I highly doubt Mary or Duncan or anyone of stature at GM read these blogs. And it’s really REALLY too bad.
GM upper management need to shelve this ugly thing and extend the current Enlcave for another year exactly as it is now. Then take that extra year and put their best designers on this project and do exactly what you said: “Let the 2025 (or 2026) Enclave be a show stopper.”!!!!!
When they lost the port holes, they lost the real Buick design language.
Well I have the 11 enclave I really love that and I have also a 19th avenue and I do like that one I did see sketches of this design and it looks good in a different color was a brown the design language is growing on me however it doesn’t look so hot on this car
QUICK FIX:
this would help a little: add classic Buick portholes. Every generation of Enclave dating back to its debut in 2007 has had them. It would give this bland 2025 a little character.
Unfortunately, very similar to past GM models that were designed by committee and/or the front half design people didn’t talk to the back half design people. Like the original revived Caprice before it got a mid-cycle refresh, the Rendezvous, the 2nd generation Equinox (when they had the beautiful Captiva to use as a design template).
Based off the Envista and the sketches I had high hopes, but omg they dulled it down. =(
Wow, I don’t think you can make this any more uglier if you let a blind bat design it. Perfect example of the disconnect between engineers/designers and the real world. Removing the V6 was the final nail in the coffin. The NVH (noise vibration harshness) on these dirty, 4 cylinder turbo metal clunkers will be up the wazoo!! And that to for a company that boasts ‘Quiet Tuning’ technology. Really disappointed and heartbroken. This is not the first time GM has let me down. How many times should you get slapped and stay? Time to take my business to a car manufacturer that appreciates it. RIP Buick.
It’s ugly
I attempted to trade in my 24 XT6 and order a 2024 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD six cylinder online yesterday and also spoke with a dealer to secure the six-cylinder model before it gets phased out. Unfortunately, GM Buick has stopped taking orders for it. It’s a sad day for me as I do not wish to buy a 2025 Enclave four-cylinder model. Not everyone wants a large SUV or truck to tow trailers. A six cylinder mid size SUV is perfect for us and many other GM customers. My preference will not matter to GM. So much for customer feedback…
This is hideous. And I mean so hideous, it defies description. It has no features to it. It’s like someone took a set of disjointed car features and skin graphed it to a Mazda/Subaru shell that was spawned by an unholy breeding scenario. The wheels are less premium looking than the new Chevy Trax’s LS steels. The grill is literally a lowered ninth-gen Impala’s, but halfheartedly painted chrome. I almost think this is a joke. They’re just keeping us guessing till they pull out the real one at the last second. How did this even make it out of the concept sketch?
As my wholesalers tell me, Buicks are dead..
I agree!!! 100% and I hate to say that. that being said…. Here’s my opinion/prediction. I think the writing is on the walls. There’re purposely making these Buicks unattractive so people stop buying them and sales numbers start dropping and that will give GM the green light to kill the brand. just like what they did with Oldsmobile and Pontiac I would say Saturn too but Saturn never had a chance in the first place. It was set up to fail. Its easier for a car company to get rid of a brand because of “sales numbers” then it is just because. That way the consumers/share holders cant come at them and say WTF!?!?! Anywhooooo!!! who am I to say. that’s just one persons opinion/prediction. I give it 2 more years and Buick will be gone too.
I just traded in my Enclave for an Envision. I was going to wait until fall to see what the new Enclave looks like. Once the leaked pictures came out, I was scratching my head and my wife and I decided that 1-it is too big, 2-it doesn’t really look like a Buick per se’, and 3-the exterior look is sort of bland. I sent an email to Mary Barra, and the President of Buick complaining about two things: appeal that stands alone, and quality. My 2019 only had 42k on it and was the first GM product that was NEVER in the shop for warranty work. A few TSB’s, but all-in-all a good vehicle and year. I will be eager to see how many people see the 2025 as a game changer or not. General Motors is always a day late to the show, and a dollar short. Always waiting to see what everyone else is doing. My wife drives a 2021 Honda Accord EX-L and Honda is a company for example that now includes the same safety features in all its vehicles, limited the number of models and options, and everyone in the world can recognize a HONDA based on the company’s vision and perspective on the market.
I think there’re phasing out Buick and I hate to say that. that being said…. Here’s my opinion/prediction. I think the writing is on the walls. There’re purposely making these Buicks unattractive so people stop buying them and sales numbers start dropping and that will give GM the green light to kill the brand. just like what they did with Oldsmobile and Pontiac I would say Saturn too but Saturn never had a chance in the first place. It was set up to fail. Its easier for a car company to get rid of a brand because of “sales numbers” then it is just because. That way the consumers/share holders cant come at them and say WTF!?!?! Anywhooooo!!! who am I to say. that’s just one persons opinion/prediction. I give it 2 more years and Buick will be gone too.