2019 Buick Enclave Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
The 2019 Buick Enclave offers much more than the average midsize SUV. Its high quality standard and optional features make it one of the best vehicles in its class. It elevates the midsize SUV experience to the next level. Buyers will find that the Enclave could be considered for the luxury class with all of its luxurious upgrades like heated second row seating. The Enclave can accommodate seven passengers with its third row of seats and offers a quiet and comfortable driving experience. It is a refined SUV that offers great connectivity and convenience. The optional Connected Services and myBuick app are smart features that tie it all together.
What's New for 2019
The Buick Enclave Preferred has become the base model for 2019. It is essentially the same as the 2018 Buick Enclave. The Enclave was redesigned for 2018, and nothing of note has changed.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Buick Enclave – The Pros
1. Calm Comfortable Ride
The Buick Enclave is one of the best midsize SUVs to ride in. It has three rows of luxury seating. The first and second rows are captain's chairs, and the third row is comprised of a 60/40 split bench seat. The Enclave also features cabin air ionizer that filters out dust and debris. The Enclave comes equipped with standard Quiettuning technology including triple door seals, acoustic laminated glass and many other noise dampening features. The suspension on the Enclave is also specifically tuned for a smooth, quiet ride.
2. Great Standard Technology Features
The 2019 Buick Enclave comes loaded with technology. The Enclave Preferred comes with an eight inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a high speed WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth and satellite radio. Siri Eyes Free is included as well. The Eyes Free feature offers the driver the ability to operate the infotainment features as well as their mobile device using natural voice commands. The technology features do not end with that. Buyers can get access to additional technology features at the upper trim levels.
3. Wide Array of Safety Features
Whether the buyer is sticking to the base model or upgrading trim levels, there are a lot of safety enhancements available in the 2019 Buick Enclave. The Enclave Preferred comes with standard rearview camera and rear parking sensors. The next trim level up, The Enclave Essence, offers standard lane change alert, rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring. From there the buyer moves up to the Enclave Premium. The Premium level really packs in the safety features. This is the trim level with low and high speed automatic braking with pedestrian awareness. Buyers will also get the innovative Safety Alert seat which uses seat vibrations as warnings for the driver. Also included are: automatic highbeam headlights, following distance monitor and active lane keep assist. The top level Avenir trim adds a 360 degree birds eye camera and a rear camera mirror.
4. Well Balanced Engine
The Buick Enclave comes with one engine option. The 310 horsepower V6 is powerful enough for capable acceleration and passing. It is paired with a nine speed automatic transmission and standard front wheel drive. It also enables the Enclave to offer 5,000 lb. towing capacity. The Enclave gets average fuel economy. Buyers can expect 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
5. Optional Intelligent All Wheel Drive
The 2019 Buick Enclave is available with AWD in all but the base trims. The AWD Enclave gets one less city and one less highway for fuel efficiency. Buick's Intelligent All Wheel Drive can sense when the AWD is necessary and activate it for better control. There is also a mode select so the driver can set the Enclave to full time front wheel drive.
6. Excellent Cargo Space Capacity
With the third row of seats up in the 2019 Buick Enclave, buyers will get 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space. With second and third row seating folded down, the Enclave offers 97 cubic feet of cargo space. There is an additional 10 inch deep storage area under the floor.
7. Standard Power Liftgate and Optional Power Folding Seats
Loading the Enclave has been made easier with power folding rear seats and Smart Slide second row seating for easy access. The Enclave also offers a standard hands free rear liftgate. The gate can be activated by pressing an illuminated area under the gate by foot.
8. Buick Connected Services and myBuick App
The 2019 Buick Enclave offers technologically advanced connected services to the Enclave experience. The features include 4G LTE and Connected Access, which gives the driver digital information about the vehicle, diagnostics and driving tips. The Remote Access Plan offers the driver access to the myBuick app for their mobile phone or smartwatch. The app features the ability to start and stop or lock and unlock the vehicle. It also offers a parking reminder that allows the driver to locate the vehicle in a parking lot.
9. Buick Enclave Avenir Trim
For buyers looking to get everything that Buick has to offer, the Enclave offers the Avenir. This trim model includes luxurious extras like wireless smarphone charging, eight inch driver display and a wood accented steering wheel. It also offers adaptive cruise control, leather first and second row seating, and premium ride suspension.
10. Refined Driving Experience
The 2019 Buick Enclave matches power and agility with comfort for drivers and passengers. The capable 310 horsepower V6 accelerates quickly, and the nine speed transmission shifts smoothly. It also features great handling, braking and steering. The driving experience is controlled and comfortable.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Buick Enclave – The Cons
1. Highest Base Price in its Class
While not technically a luxury midsize SUV, the Buick Enclave strives to provide refinement. In doing so it ends up costing more than most every midsize SUV at the base level. The base model is thousands more than any other base model in the midsize SUV category. While upper trim levels are closer in price to its competitors, the Enclave starts out at a high price point.
2. Average Fuel Economy
The 2019 Buick Enclave has just one engine option. The powerful V6 will leave buyers feeling the pinch at the pump compared to the variety of more efficient offerings. While other competitors offer only one base engine, it is usually more efficient.
3. Falls Short in Interior Quality
While the 2019 Buick Enclave offers a quiet, clean interior, some of the construction material don't quite make the grade. The interior is functional and comfortable but it lacks some of the refinement seen in other aspects of the Enclave.
4. Doesn't Offer Enough to be Considered a Luxury SUV
The 2019 Buick Enclave falls short of the luxury SUV category. It simply cant quite match the standard and optional features that are offered in that category. The Buick Enclave may be the most refined midsized SUV available, but it still doesn't quite make the cut as a luxury SUV.
How it stacks up to the competition:
The 2019 Buick Enclave is definitely one of the better entries into the midsize SUV category. It focuses on refinement and comfort, where most other entries are more focused on function. The base trim of the Enclave costs thousands more than the Toyota Highlander or the Honda Pilot, but it bests both with a better warranty, more powerful engine and more cargo space. It also has better standard features than either the Pilot or Highlander. Compared to vehicles in the Luxury midsized SUV category it would be one of the lowest priced base models available. Compared to a similarly priced Lincoln MKX, the Enclave has better cargo space, better gas mileage and similar warranty. The Lincoln MKX far outpaces the Enclave in standard and optional features.
Conclusion
The 2019 Buick Enclave offers refinement and attention to detail as a great midsize SUV. It offers a quiet and comfortable ride with a powerful engine. As a family SUV, it offers great technological features and a laundry list of safety enhancements. It also elevates the standard midsized SUV to near luxury SUV levels with tons of optional equipment. The myBuick app and connected services make a bold step forward with smart phone and smart watch pairing. The Buick Enclave tops it all off with a very generous warranty. It makes a great case for best vehicle in its class.
