From the beginning of its life, the Buick Enclave was intended to be a family hauler on the luxury end of the spectrum. It had seating for up to eight occupants, with a bench seat in the middle and upmarket touches. While it was a big, three-row SUV, it wasn’t full-size, and had a unibody construction for car-like driving dynamics. In many ways, it was a great alternative to the minivan, especially since adults could fit in the third row.
As a family vehicle, it had a focus on safety, adding the industry’s first center airbag between the front seats in 2013 and making advanced driver assistance technology standard on all trims in 2022, while the latest Enclave models make the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ list.
The first two generations were equipped with a V6 engine, while the third and current generation introduced a noisy but more powerful four-cylinder turbo engine with fuel economy of 21 mpg (from the all-wheel drive model) to 23 mpg (front-wheel drive). The third-gen Enclave also dropped the middle bench seat in favor of more comfortable captain’s chairs.
In general, the Buick Enclave is a safe and reliable three-row SUV, with a stylish design and plenty of amenities. It’s a great option if you need three rows of seats but don’t want to feel like you’re driving a land yacht.
Buick Enclave: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Buick Enclave: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Buick Enclave Pros and Cons
- Buick Enclave Generations
- Buick Enclave Third Generation (2025–present)
- Buick Enclave Second Generation (2018–2024)
- Buick Enclave First Generation (2008–2017)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Buick Enclave years are the best?
If you’re looking for a first-generation Buick Enclave, the later years are your best bet. According to CarComplaints.com, 2016 and 2017 models have the fewest owner complaints and the fewest recalls in that generation. Most second-gen examples have few complaints and recalls, but 2022 and 2023 should be your go-to model years, with higher than average reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. The third-gen version, released in 2025, is currently too new to tell.
What are the worst Buick Enclave years?
The Enclave got off to a rocky start, and the first few model years—2008 through 2010—have lots of complaints and recalls. CarComplaints.com calls 2008 the worst model year due to transmission problems, but 2009 and 2010 Enclaves also rack up a lot of owner complaints. In the second-generation, the 2020 model year logs the most recalls, while the 2018 model year has the most complaints.
Is a used Buick Enclave a good deal?
Used Buick Enclaves can be very good deals, especially first-gen models. For example, the average purchase price for a 2016 model is between $8,000 and $11,000, and the original MSRP was between $40,000 and $50,000. If you opt for a second-gen Enclave, you can still see pricing at $15,000 to $23,000 off the original MSRP, which means you’re looking at prices between $30,000 and $35,000.
Buick Enclave Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish
- Advanced standard safety features
- Comfortable and roomy cabin
Cons:
- Noisy and unrefined engine
- On the expensive side
- No hybrid option
Buick Enclave Generations
Buick Enclave Third Generation (2025–present)
The Buick Enclave entered its third generation for the 2025 model year with a ground-up redesign inspired by the Buick Wildcat concept car. The exterior was bolder from the front, with its angular grille and slim daytime running lights (DRLs), but the side was more generic, with fewer angles and lines. The interior received a large, 30-inch curved display with HD surround vision—spanning both the area behind the steering wheel and the centre of the dashboard—plus a new floating console and standard second-row captain’s chairs. For this generation, Enclave did away with the bench seat option, and could seat seven occupants rather than the eight of its predecessors. At launch, Buick Enclave trim levels included: Buick Enclave Preferred, Buick Enclave Sport Touring, and Buick Enclave Avenir.
The powertrain represented one of the biggest changes for this generation. Standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and available all-wheel drive (AWD) remained, but the V6 was replaced by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with specs of 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. It also received a new eight-speed automatic transmission, while towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
With a heavy focus on technology, key features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Google built-in operating system, a power tailgate, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and two USB ports in each row. This third-generation Buick Enclave was the first Buick to get the Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assist system, and new standard safety features included blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, 360-degree camera, and adaptive cruise control. A head-up display and rear camera mirror were available.
The third-generation Enclave was brand new at the time of writing, so you aren’t likely to find many used vehicles in this generation on sale just yet. That means you’re looking at a base price of $46,595 for the Preferred trim with FWD, and a top end of $61,695 for the Avenir trim with AWD.
Buick Enclave Second Generation (2018–2024)
The second-generation Buick Enclave moved away from its predecessor’s round design in favor of a sleeker profile with a longer wheelbase. Still powered by a V6, this Enclave delivered 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. It still came with FWD as standard and was available with AWD, while a new nine-speed automatic replaced the previous six-speeder.
At launch this new generation Enclave had four trims: base, Buick Enclave Essence, Buick Enclave Premium, and Buick Enclave Avenir.
There was a lot more standard tech with this generation, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a push-button start, a hands-free power liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, six USB ports, an OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a rearview camera, and rear parking assist. At the top-tier Buick Enclave Avenir trim were upscale amenities such as leather seats, heated-and-ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 360-degree camera, a dual sunroof, and a rear-camera mirror. Avenir was also the only trim to offer the adaptive suspension, adaptive cruise control, and highway-speed automatic braking.
There was a mid-cycle refresh in 2022, with a new grille, restyled headlights and taillights, standard wireless CarPlay and Auto, a redesigned center console with new shifter buttons, and a new Sport Touring trim. Some safety features that were only available with the Avenir were now available with all trims, including front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Used second generation vehicles are widely available and, while you’ll find prices ranging from junker to like-new, you’ll be able to find a relatively low mileage 2021 to 2023 model in the $25,000 price range.
Buick Enclave First Generation (2008–2017)
When the new Buick Enclave was introduced for the 2008 model year, it replaced the Rendezvous, the Rainier, and the Terraza in the Buick lineup. This first-gen Enclave shared its car-based General Motors Lambda platform with the Saturn Outlook, the GMC Acadia, and the Chevrolet Traverse.
Situated in the midsize SUV segment, the first-gen Buick Enclave had three rows and seating for up to seven, with an optional second-row bench seat. At launch, it was equipped with a 275hp V6 engine, but got a more powerful 288hp V6 in 2009. It is standard with FWD and available with AWD.
This generation Enclave had a six-speed automatic transmission, and as noted in the worst years section, the 2008 model had several complaints with this transmission, namely for being hesitant to downshift. That’s definitely one to watch at the dealership and during a test drive.
This first generation received a mid-cycle refresh in 2013, with a new chrome waterfall grille, Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, and LED taillights. Inside, the 2013 Enclave got a new dashboard, blue ambient lighting, and a touchscreen infotainment display. At this time it also added an industry-first front center airbag.
In a nationwide search for 2008 to 2017 Buick Enclaves, we saw prices ranging from $625 for salvage models to about $22,000 to $24,000 for late, low-mileage examples. We found more than 1,000 vehicles for sale, and you’ll probably be able find a model in good condition with less than 100,000 miles for around $15,000.
