2011 Buick Enclave Overview

2011 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave shares a platform with the popular Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia, but commands a price premium over both. The Enclave features one of the most luxurious and quiet interiors in its class. The only downsides to owning an Enclave are that V8 power is unavailable and fuel economy is average -- 17/24 mpg city/highway. The Lincoln MKX offers an interior that some consider more luxurious than the Enclave’s. If you absolutely need a three-row SUV, consider the Enclave’s platform-mate, the Chevrolet Traverse.

Details: Buick Enclave
The 2011 Buick Enclave is available in three trims: the base CX, premium CXL1 and top-of-the-line CXL2. Trims are available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
For 2011, the Buick Enclave sees only very minor changes. Among the Buick Enclave's many strengths are its powerful V6, comfortable and quiet ride, massive cargo capacity and excellent crash-test scores.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Buick Enclave is a large crossover SUV that comes in CX, CXL1 and CXL2 trim levels. All have a standard seven-passenger seating configuration via second-row captain's chairs and a third-row bench seat. Other standard features include partial power front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping leather/wood steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, OnStar and a six-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.

The Enclave CXL1 adds leather upholstery, heated power front seats (eight-way driver, four-way passenger), driver-seat memory functions, rear parking sensors and a back-up camera with a small rearview-mirror display. Other Enclave options include a dual-pane "SkyScape" sunroof (not available on CX), a second-row storage console with a 12-volt power outlet (also not available on CX) and towing preparation.

The 2011 Buick Enclave offers a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models, while all-wheel-drive versions rate 16/22/18. With the optional trailering package, the Enclave can tow up to 4,500 pounds.

Safety
Stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every 2011 Buick Enclave. In brake testing, the Enclave came to a stop from 60 mph in 139 feet. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Enclave earned the best score of "Good" in frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.

Interior Design and Special Features
The Enclave's cabin has an upscale vibe thanks to its stylish dash and wood-grain inlays. On the bright side, the Enclave is one of the roomiest crossover SUVs on the market. There are 19 cubic feet of usable space behind the third-row seat, 68 cubic feet with the third row's 60/40 sections folded into the floor and an enormous (though not quite minivan-grade) 116 cubic feet with the second row folded.

Driving Impressions
The 2011 Buick Enclave also shines on road trips thanks to its quiet ride and compliant suspension.
Available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations, the full-size luxury crossover has seating for eight and lots of cargo room, while delivering 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, according to EPA estimates (although these figures look to be optimistic in light of what TheCarConnection.com's editors have seen).
That said, the "011 Buick Enclave is a good-looking vehicle".