2025 Buick Enclave Avenir First Test: This Premium 3-Row SUV Just Leveled Up

The Buick Enclave has long been positioned as a premium entry in the three-row SUV segment, and for 2025, the Avenir trim takes this identity to new heights. With a refined powertrain, improved handling, top-tier tech, and a captivating interior, the 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir stands out from from not only its GM siblings but also many of its competitors.

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The New Powertrain

Buick has replaced the Enclave’s previous 3.6-liter V-6 with a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This powerplant delivers 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft, with a notable improvement in low-end torque over the six-cylinder. The extra grunt translates to a strong and responsive throttle feel, particularly in highway merging and passing. The engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth shifts that are essentially undetectable. Combined with a better-than-expected exhaust note from the four-banger, the new powertrain is a solid base on which to curate a refined driving experience.

Fuel economy ratings from the EPA come in at 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined, an improvement over last year’s model. Buyers can choose between front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, with the latter providing added confidence in poor weather conditions. Our test vehicle sent power to the front wheels.

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Confident Handling

Historically, GM’s midsize three-row SUVs have struggled with steering quality, feeling overly light and disconnected. However, the 2025 Enclave Avenir has cracked the code. The steering weight is firmer, delivering the stable and planted sensation an upscale SUV deserves, especially in Sport mode.

For a front-wheel-drive SUV, the Enclave impresses in its relative handling balance. As such, the Enclave rounded our figure-eight course in 27.8 seconds with a 0.63 g average. That isn’t exactly top-10 territory in the MotorTrend database, but at least it broke the 28.0-second mark that tends to signal low-powered vehicles or those with poor cornering. It also managed a 0.81 g average around the skidpad, so all handling metrics outperform the outgoing Enclave—particularly impressive results, given this one lacked the helpful push of AWD. What regular drivers really need to know, though, is that the chassis is composed through corners, and the suspension tuning strikes a fine balance between comfort and control. The brakes and tires also held up well in our testing, so if you’re pushing the 5,000-pound maximum tow rating, you should feel as confident as you would without a load.

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Braking and Acceleration

One of the standout aspects of the Enclave Avenir is its exceptional braking performance. Stopping from 60 mph takes just 109 feet—an incredible achievement for a vehicle that isn’t remotely marketed as a performance vehicle. That figure is in BMW M and Mercedes-AMG SUV territory, and it’s 25 feet shorter than the previous Enclave. There isn’t any ADAS tech we’re aware of shaving down braking distances by that much without physically changing the vehicle. That’s solid engineering and a safety feature in its own right.

The pedal feel is reassuring, with a progressive and responsive nature that makes modulation easy. Emergency braking is particularly impressive, with minimal front-end dive and excellent stability. Even during repeated hard stops, the braking system remained consistent with minimal fade, nailing three 111-foot stops before its best performance. On one occasion, our Enclave’s front end skipped to the right due to some serious bump steer. We couldn’t reliably repeat it, but hard braking on rough roads or over potholes could require extra attention.

The Enclave Avenir reaches 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, making it competitive with similarly sized luxury SUVs, but that’s 0.1 second slower than the previous-generation model despite the extra power and torque. That could be due to a gearing difference between the new eight- and old nine-speed transmissions, but the 2025 we weighed is also 100 pounds heavier than the last Enclave we tested. Still, the turbo-four still provides strong low-end torque, and the Enclave Avenir completes the quarter mile in 15.6 seconds at 91.9 mph. Highway passing power is ample, and the transmission’s smooth shifts help maintain an effortless driving experience.

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More Than Premium

Buick has taken a significant step forward in interior quality with the Enclave Avenir. The floating center console design adds a sense of openness that acknowledges modern trends, while high-quality materials throughout the cabin reinforce its luxury aspirations. The Avenir trim benefits from ventilated, heated, and massaging front seats; heated second-row outboard seats; a panoramic sunroof; perforated leather; and Continuous Damping Control (CDC) to keep passengers content across changing road surfaces.

QuietTuning technology, a Buick hallmark, makes the Enclave one of the quietest SUVs in its class. Acoustic glass, active noise cancellation, and additional sound-deadening materials contribute to a serene cabin experience, isolating passengers from road and wind noise better than the Chevrolet Traverse or GMC Acadia do.

The Enclave seats seven, with enough room for adults to sit in any row (except the third-row middle spot). The second-row one-touch folding captain’s chairs offer excellent comfort, while the power-folding third-row seat provides ample space and convenience. Accessing the rear cargo space is a breeze thanks to the walk-up detection that automatically opens the hatch—no more fumbling around with awkward kicks under the bumper. Three beeps signal opening and walking a foot or two away before the third cancels the action.

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Hip to the Tech

The technology suite in the 2025 Enclave Avenir is among the most advanced in its segment. The most visually striking feature is the 30-inch ultra-wide digital display encompassing the infotainment interface and digital driver cluster. The high-resolution screen is responsive and integrates well with the rest of the cabin’s modern aesthetic.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with a 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system that delivers an immersive listening experience. The Super Cruise package, available for an additional $3,730, adds GM’s hands-free driving technology, which has continually improved with expanded mapped roads and better performance. Our experience with the Enclave was one of the best and most consistent yet, with precise lane changes and assertive passing. As the first Buicks to feature Super Cruise across all trims, the Enclave is at the forefront of semi-autonomous driving in the mainstream luxury market. Note, too, that we gave Super Cruise a 2025 MotorTrend Best Tech award for driver assistance technologies.

Safety remains a priority, with features such as Blind Zone Steering Assist, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, lane keep assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Avenir trim also includes a rear camera mirror and Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist. And don’t forget the superb braking performance, which should make the emergency braking features that much more effective.

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The Hot Take

The 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir makes a strong case for itself in the competitive three-row SUV market. It successfully blends near-luxury refinement with strong performance, a high-tech interior, and standout braking capabilities.

With a total vehicle price of $64,575, the Enclave Avenir offers a competitive value proposition for families seeking a well-appointed SUV with advanced technology and a premium feel. GM might not specifically target the luxury segment with Buick, but the Enclave Avenir can easily be cross shopped with more expensive brands.