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2024 Volkswagen Taos Review2022 Buick Enclave: Low-Cost Lux
What do our experts think of the 2022 Buick Enclave? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2022 Buick Enclave?
Sporting a new face with sleek headlights, the 2022 Buick Enclave looks properly luxurious and comes with a host of improvements this year. That includes new wheel designs, special Evonik LED lighting on the Avenir trim, and fresh paint colors. Cabin updates like a new steering wheel, restyled center console and wireless smartphone integration combine with a new push-button shifter and more standard driver aids to push the Enclave deeper into luxury territory. Though it shares running gear with the Chevy Traverse, a comparison of which you can read here, this mid-cycle freshening helps the Enclave stand further upmarket than its corporate cousin.
2022 Buick Enclave – netcarshow.com | Shop 2022 Buick Enclave on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Long list of driver aids
Robust standard tech features
Handsome good looks
Hybrid option would be nice
Loaded Chevy Traverse is cheaper
Goofy 3rd row access
Euro-lux looks with mainstream pricing
2022 Buick Specs
- 310 horsepower from base engine
- 266 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 23.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 97.4 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Digital rearview mirror with washing system
- Eight standard active-safety systems
- Hitch View camera shows close up of connection
- First service visit free in first year
2022 Buick Enclave Powertrain
Making 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, the naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 found under the Enclave’s hood pairs with a 9-speed automatic driving the front wheels. General Motors has been refining this powertrain for a long time, ensuring smooth, and ample, power delivery. For a rundown on the difference between powertrain and drivetrain, check out our article here.
Across all three trim levels, all-wheel-drive can be optioned for $2,000 and top-spec Avenir trim has an exclusive real-time damping system to add a layer of velvety ride smoothness. Even without the trick suspension, the 2022 Enclave enjoys a fully independent layout with a five-link rear that promises poised handling. As a luxury-level SUV, you can expect the ride to lean towards cushy instead of sporty. This is borne out by the fact that Buick only offers tires up to size 20-inch, versus competitors that sell 22-inch and bigger rubber that looks snazzy but tends to result in flinty road manners.
Towing & Payload
The base 2022 Buick Enclave can tow 1,500 pounds, unless you spring for the optional trailering package, which bumps capacity up to a usable 5,000 pounds. For $650, it brings a trailer hitch, heavy-duty engine cooling and the Hitch Guidance with Hitch View camera tech for easier hook ups. Though not a headlining tow vehicle, you can easily pull a small travel trailer or boat for weekend fun, when so equipped.
2022 Buick Enclave Fuel Economy & MPG
No one is expecting a two-ton SUV with a V6 to crush it at the gas pumps, but the Enclave is fairly dismal with ratings of 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway in FWD setup. Adding AWD, which is distinct from 4WD as you can learn about here, drops those figures to 17 and 25, respectively. Volvo’s XC90 with the turbocharged four cylinder, for example, is rated for 21 mpg around town and 30 on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Featuring second-row captain’s chairs and a third row, the 2022 Enclave can technically seat seven but that way back row is best reserved for little ones. It is a luxurious place to be with standard leather upholstery, heated front seats and triple-zone automatic climate control. Of course, interior serenity is a luxury vehicle hallmark and one the Enclave can boast of thanks to QuietTuning, a system blending active noise cancellation, triple door seals and acoustic laminated glass.
Ringing of cost-cutting, only the passenger-side middle seat can slide forward for third row access, however that back row does feature power folding on Premium trim and above. With the rear row upright, there is 24 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold it, and the middle seats, flat and total cargo space balloons to 97 cubic feet, handily out-stuffing the 2022 Ford Explorer with its 88 cubic foot max cargo volume. Check out our comparison of these two domestic three-row SUVs here.
Entertainment & Technology
Featuring a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and six USB ports as standard equipment, and the 2022 Buick Enclave is worthy of a spot on this list of best SUVs for passengers. An 8-inch touchscreen integrated into the dashboard manages the IntelliLink infotainment system which can be optioned with navigation that features real-time traffic and weather updates.
As you move through the trim levels, high-end features like a Bose 10-speaker stereo, 8-inch digital gauge cluster screen and head-up display (HUD) are unlocked. Available via package, there is a digital rearview mirror with a washer system to keep the rear-facing camera lens free of debris.
Safety Features
Buick piles the 2022 Enclave high with lineup standard driver aids including a lane-keeping system with blind spot monitoring, forward collision alert with automated emergency braking and IntelliBeam automatic high beam control. A following distance indicator is also found across the board, but adaptive cruise control requires either a package or the top-spec Avenir model. All Enclaves come with seven airbags throughout the cabin, while Premium trim and above sports a surround vision camera and rear pedestrian alert.
2022 Buick Enclave Trims & Pricing
Essence – $44,095
Considering the entry price, an Enclave Essence is nicely outfitted with 18” wheels, hands-free tailgate, full LED lighting and remote engine start. As with every trim level, you can tack on AWD for $2,000 or the Sport Touring package to give your Enclave some style with 20-inch rims and a black mesh front grille. Cabin amenities include heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. An 8-inch touchscreen handles infotainment work including wireless Apple and Android integration, and a wireless phone charging pad is standard fare.
Premium – $50,895
Premium models are upgraded with heated, power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors as well as heated second row seats, a power-folding third row and power-adjustable steering column. Additionally, the front seats are ventilated, a 10-speaker stereo from Bose adds the beats and an HUD keeps vehicle information front and center. For $2,795, the Experience Buick package nets 20-inch rims and a dual-pane roof with power-operated front glass and fixed rear skylight with manual sunshade.
Avenir – $56,445
Top-spec Avenir models feature trim-exclusive Evonik LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers and a Rich Garnet Metallic paint color only found at this level. Inside, quilted leather seating dresses things up and the front seats come with a massaging function. Adaptive cruise control and Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking are included here, as is HD Surround Vision and navigation. Only available on the Avenir is the $1,595 Technology package that features a unique suspension and steering calibration as well as variable-rate dampers with real-time adjustment based on road conditions.
Warranties
The 3-year/36,000-mile vehicle and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties are typical industry coverages, but Buick sweetens the pot with a complimentary service visit within the first year of ownership. Five years of roadside assistance are also part of the warranty deal as is three years or 36,000 miles of rust corrosion coverage.
What we think
2022 Buick Enclave – netcarshow.com | Shop 2022 Buick Enclave on Carsforsale.com
In a crowded SUV field, the 2022 Buick Enclave manages to stand out thanks to the fresh styling that came with this mid-cycle refresh. Those upmarket looks belie a reasonable $44,000 starting point especially considering the deep level of active safety systems, infotainment features and passenger comforts throughout the cabin. For that money, the base Essence model seems like a bargain to me, one that I would spruce up with the Sport Touring package for bigger wheels and sleeker design.
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