Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is a three-row full-size crossover SUV produced by General Motors since 2007. It was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show,[1] officially as a concept car, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the Buick Centieme concept shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.

Buick Enclave
Overview
ManufacturerBuick (General Motors)
ProductionApril 2007–present
Model years2008–present
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size crossover SUV
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive
Chronology
PredecessorBuick Rainier
Buick Rendezvous
Buick Terraza

The first-generation Enclave, the Saturn Outlook, the original GMC Acadia, and the first-generation Chevrolet Traverse all shared the GM Lambda platform.

The Enclave replaced both of Buick's SUVs, the minivan-based Rendezvous and the truck-based Rainier, as well as the Terraza minivan. The second-generation Enclave was officially revealed at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.[2]

First generation (2008)

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First generation
Overview
ProductionApril 11, 2007[3]–2017
Model years2008–2017
AssemblyUnited States: Delta Township, Michigan (Lansing Delta Township Assembly)
DesignerJack Folden[4]
Body and chassis
PlatformGM Lambda platform/GMT967
RelatedChevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook
Powertrain
Engine3.6 L LY7/LLT V6
Transmission6-speed 6T75 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase118.9 in (3,020 mm)
Length201.8 in (5,126 mm) (2008–2012)
201.9 in (5,128 mm) (2013–2017)
Width79 in (2,007 mm)
Height72.2 in (1,834 mm) (2008–2009)
72.5 in (1,842 mm) (2010–2013)
71.7 in (1,821 mm) (2013–2017)
Curb weight4,780–4,985 lb (2,168–2,261 kg)

Features

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Rear view

The Enclave has seating for seven passengers, with an optional second row bench seat instead of the standard two captain chairs which increases the seating to eight. It comes standard with front-wheel drive with an option of all-wheel drive.

The Enclave shares powertrains with its Lambda siblings. For its first year of production, the Enclave was powered by a 275-horsepower (205 kW; 279 PS) 3.6 L High Feature V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.[5] For the 2009 model, an upgraded power boost for the 3.6 L V6 Spark Ignition Direct Injection VVT is now at 288 hp (215 kW; 292 PS) and 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m; 37 kg⋅m) of torque standard (also standard on other 2009 Lambdas). The latter direct-injection engine offers a broader torque curve, and brings fuel economy to 17 mpg‑US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg‑imp)/24 mpg‑US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg‑imp) for FWD models and 16 mpg‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg‑imp)/22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp) for AWD models, according to the new United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The Lambda vehicles are built at GM's new Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing, Michigan, and production of the Enclave commenced on April 11, 2007,[3] with the first vehicles reaching certain dealers by the end of the month. The Enclave debuted with a starting price of $32,790.[5]

In its first year of production, the Enclave was often criticized for its 6-speed transmission, which was "hesitant to downshift."[6] The powertrain was improved for 2009. For its entire production, it has been regarded as overly heavy, weighing nearly 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) with all-wheel-drive. Buick's VentiPorts have reappeared at the Enclave's introduction, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to 1949.

Initial sales of the Enclave far exceeded production capacity, forcing GM to add a third shift to the Delta Township plant.[citation needed]

With the arrival of the Buick Envision (which is slotted between the Enclave and Buick Encore) to North America in 2016 (for the 2017 model year), the Enclave will be bigger after Envision's debut, and the 2017 model year Enclave will be the last under the first generation platform.

2013 refresh

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Buick Enclave

GM unveiled the 2013 Buick Enclave on April 3, 2012, one day before its official debut at the New York Auto Show.[7] The 2013 model features revised exterior styling including a new chrome waterfall grille, xenon headlights with LED running lights, LED Foglights, and LED taillights.[8] Interior updates include a redesigned dashboard with more soft-touch materials, wood and chrome accents, blue ambient lighting, and touchscreen IntelliLink infotainment display. Among safety features are seven standard airbags, including an industry-first front center airbag, and available blind spot monitoring.[9]

Markets

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Sales in the United States and Canada began in 2007 during the 2008 model year. In 2008, General Motors began exporting the Enclave to China, to be sold through Shanghai GM's Buick network.[10]

The Buick brand has been relaunched in Mexico for the 2010 model year, bringing the Enclave to that market.[11]

Second generation (2018)

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North America (2018)

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Second generation
North America
Overview
Production2017–2024
Model years2018–2024
AssemblyUnited States: Delta Township, Michigan (Lansing Delta Township Assembly)
Body and chassis
PlatformGM C1XX platform
RelatedGMC Acadia
Chevrolet Traverse
Powertrain
Engine3.6 L LFY V6 (gasoline)[12]
Transmission9-speed GM 9T65 automatic[13]
Dimensions
Wheelbase120.9 in (3,071 mm)
Length204.3 in (5,189 mm)
Width78.8 in (2,002 mm)
Height69.9 in (1,775 mm)
Curb weight4,359–4,685 lb (1,977–2,125 kg)

On April 11, 2017, exactly ten years after the first Enclave was produced, Buick unveiled the second generation Enclave at the Pier 59 Studios during the 2017 New York International Auto Show. With the introduction of the compact Buick Envision in 2016 and the launching of the Opel Insignia-badged Buick Regal TourX wagon, the next generation Enclave moved upmarket, competing with the Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX60, and Acura MDX in the premium crossover SUV market. The second generation Enclave went on sale in the Fall of 2017 as a 2018 model.[13][14][15]

The long-wheelbase version of GM's C1XX chassis sharing the same platform with the Chevrolet Traverse, the second generation Enclave moved away from the egg-shaped design but retains some elements of the previous generation, displaying a sleeker aerodynamic appearance, a lower roofline, and the introduction of the Evonik Acrylite exterior forward lighting flanking Buick's new three-dimensional mesh grille with chrome wings.

Powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission, it produces 310 hp (231 kW; 314 PS) with 266 lb⋅ft (361 N⋅m; 37 kg⋅m) torque. The second generation Enclave comes in standard Front-drive or available with Intelligent AWD with an active twin-clutch rear differential, which complements its first switchable all-wheel-drive system. There are three level trims, including a new top-of-the-line premium Avenir sub-brand.[16]

2022 refresh

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Buick initially planned to launch an updated version of the Enclave in mid- to late 2020 as a 2021 model year vehicle. However, GM delayed launch and production of the updated Enclave to 2021 as 2022 model year vehicle.[17][18] The mid-cycle refresh adopts many design elements and features along with new LED headlights and taillights already seen on the Chinese version of the Buick Enclave.

The 2022 Enclave adds as standard a driver assistance safety suite previously only available in the Avenir trim. Features include front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and rear parking sensor.[19] Other new features include a push-button transmission, optional head-up display, optional rear pedestrian alert, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

China (2020)

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Second generation
China
Overview
Production2019–present
Model years2020–present
AssemblyChina: Jinqiao, Pudong, Shanghai (SAIC-GM)
Body and chassis
PlatformGM C1XX short wheelbase platform (China)
RelatedCadillac XT6
Chevrolet Blazer
Powertrain
Engine2.0 L LSY I4 (gasoline)
Transmission9-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase112.7 in (2,863 mm)
Length196.1 in (4,981 mm)
Width76.9 in (1,953 mm)
Height68.2 in (1,732 mm)
Curb weight4,140–4,520 lb (1,880–2,050 kg)

On October 22, 2019, Buick unveiled the Chinese-market Enclave. It is a "mid-size plus" version of the Enclave which utilizes GM's C1 short wheelbase platform. It went on sale in that region in late 2019. While it has the similar features as the full-size North American Enclave, the Chinese version is shorter with a design different from its counterpart; there are no plans to make it available in North America. Buick planned to name the Chinese version "Envoy" (a name previously used on a GMC midsize SUV in North America from 1998 to 2007) but elected to use the Enclave name instead.[20][21]

The Chinese Enclave features GM's Electronic Precision Shift technology, and is equipped exclusively with a turbocharged 2.0L LSY engine that makes 233 horsepower (174 kW; 236 PS), mated to the new GM nine-speed automatic transmission.[22]

Third generation (2025)

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Third Generation
(North America)
Overview
Production2024 (to commence)
AssemblyUnited States: Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Delta Township Assembly)
Body and chassis
PlatformGM C1XX-2
RelatedGMC Acadia
Chevrolet Traverse
Powertrain
Engine2.5 L LK0 turbo I4 (gasoline)
Power output325 hp (242 kW; 330 PS)
Transmission8-speed automatic

General Motors unveiled the third generation Enclave on 9 April 2024, it will be available in three grades: Preferred, Sport Touring and Avenir.[23]

The exterior of the Enclave inspired from the Buick Wildcat EV concept car, it features signature winged LED DRLs, checkmark-style LED headlights and cross-car full width LED taillights. There is a walk-up lighting animation on the Avenir grade.[24]

The interior has a floating center console with an ultra-wide 30-inch display for both the instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system - the largest screen in its class.[24]

The Enclave is the first Buick product to feature "Super Cruise" a hands free advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which includes Driver Attention Assist and Enhanced Automatic Park Assist and a digital rear-view camera mirror (on the Avenir grade).[24]

All Enclave grades are powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine producing 328 hp (245 kW) and 326 lb⋅ft (442 N⋅m) of torque paired to a 8-speed automatic transmission.[24]

Sales

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Calendar yearUnited StatesCanada[25]China
200729,286[26]2,557
200844,7064,994
200943,150[27]3,854
201055,426[28]4,135
201158,392[29]3,294
201256,7033,283
201360,534[30]3,286
201462,300[31]3,528
201562,081[32]3,361
201652,028[33]3,632
201748,564[34]3,501
201849,647[35]3,511
201951,156[36]2,9345,565[37]
202038,480[38]1,77322,824[37]
202141,962[39]2,16933,601[37]
202230,533[40]1,775[41]21,305[42]
202339,411[43]3,195[41]12,199[44]

Awards

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The Enclave received the Best New SUV/CUV (over C$60,000) from the AJAC in 2008.[citation needed]

References

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