2026 Buick Enclave Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
As Buick’s largest and most expensive model, the Enclave shows the automaker’s approach to American luxury.
This generation of Enclave went on sale for 2025, with a fully redesigned exterior, upgraded and high-tech interior, turbocharged engine, and available Super Cruise hands-free driving among its highlight features.
Mechanically related to the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, the three-row Enclave has seating for up to eight passengers.
What’s New
Basics
- Key card included along with conventional key fob on all models
- Digital rearview mirror becomes part of Power package; standard on Avenir
- Trailering package becomes standard on all trims, adding trailer hitch, rear camera alignment views, and upgraded engine cooling system
- Cargo package now includes cargo area security cover
Exterior
- White Frost Tricoat paint replaced by Iridescent White Tricoat
- Stone Metallic paint now offered on Sport Touring
Interior
- Cool Gray with Mocha accents interior colorway offered on Avenir
What We Think
Buick has long struggled to rise above premium and enter the full-on luxury space. With the new Enclave, it’s still on that path—but this big SUV might be the automaker’s best effort yet.
Rather than pursue any sort of sportiness, the Enclave leans into relaxation and quietness. The ride quality is smooth and the Enclave’s interior is spacious, versatilespacious, versatile, and nearly silent, benefitting comfort and everyday ease of use for passengers in all three rows. Although the interior materials aren’t quite as nice as some more expensive rivals, they’re not far off.
The turbocharged I-4 engine makes effective torque but can feel a bit gritty and unrefined, even though the transmission it’s linked to shifts very well. A hybrid engine could mitigate these concerns while benefiting fuel economy. General Motors’ tradition of lacking auto-engaging AWD remains frustratingly present here.
Technology features, however, are impressive, with available Super Cruise hands-free driving and a big digital dashboard display on all models. Ideally, Buick can find a way to make the backup camera view larger, as it’s too small now.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
Every 2026 Enclave uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4 engine that produces 328 hp and 323 lb-ft of torque. The engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and AWD optional. Like in many General Motors products, AWD must be engaged manually, which is slightly annoying considering the automatic engagement nearly all of its rivals have.
In MotorTrend testing, 0–60-mph acceleration for a FWD Enclave measured 7.4 seconds, while an AWD-equipped model needed 7.9 seconds.
MPGs and Range
Expect the 2026 Enclave FWD to get a fuel economy rating of 20/27 mpg city/highway. Its total driving range on a tank of gas is approximately 446 miles.
Meanwhile, the 2026 Enclave AWD will get about 19/24 mpg and have a driving range of 407 miles.
Safety Ratings and Features
In its most recent crash safety testing for 2025, the Enclave earned a five-star overall score from NHTSA, and IIHS Top Safety Pick + status, the best possible result in each case.
Every version of the 2026 Enclave has driver assist and active safety features including:
- Front and rear automatic emergency braking
- Front, side, and rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beams
- Road sign recognition
Additionally, the Enclave is available with Super Cruise, General Motors’ excellent hands-free driving assist system. The Super Cruise package costs slightly less than $4,000 on all trim levels.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Enclave is a fairly large SUV, so its generous interior capacity doesn’t come as a surprise. Its total cargo capacity and passenger legroom measurements are big for the segment.
Technology
Infotainment
Every Enclave gets an impressive 30.0-inch dashboard display combining the driver’s gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen. A Google-based operating system integrates familiar apps like maps and a digital voice assistant with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
All trim levels have a wireless charging pad in the front row and USB-C ports in all three rows. A 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors is standard on every 2026 Enclave. Active noise cancellation contributes to the Enclave’s very quiet cabin.
New for 2026, a slim key card is included to negate carrying the comparatively bulky conventional key fob everywhere.
Sound System
All Enclave models have a Bose audio system. The Preferred and Sport Touring trims have a 12-speaker setup, while the Avenir gets a 16-speaker premium system.
Available Upgrades
On the Avenir trim, a digital rearview mirror, head-up display, and integrated garage door transponder are standard equipment. These features are optional on the Preferred and Sport Touring trims.
Value
Standard Features
The entry-level Enclave Preferred starts at approximately $47,000 with FWD. Choosing AWD adds $2,000 on all trims.
Exterior
- 20-inch wheels
- LED lighting
- Tinted windows
- Aluminum roof rails
Interior
- Leatherette upholstery
- Heated and power-adjustable front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- 30-inch dashboard display
- Ambient lighting strips
- Wireless charging pad
Recommended Trim
We think it’s best to skip the Sport Touring trim level, as it’s mostly an extra-cost appearance package that otherwise includes similar features and equipment to the already well-equipped Preferred model.
The high-end Avenir trim costs more than $60,000, but if that’s in your budget, it’s worth it. In Avenir spec, the Enclave becomes a more worthy rival to other luxury SUVs while presenting a compelling value.
Exterior
- 22-inch wheels
- Adaptive suspension dampers
- Upgraded headlights
- Chrome details
Interior
- Leather upholstery
- Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats
- Heated second-row captain's chairs
- Panoramic sunroof
- Head-up display
- Upgraded ambient lighting
- Premium Bose audio
- Power-folding third-row seats
