General Motors is placing a big bet with the introduction of its all new 2008 Buick Enclave – a luxury crossover SUV designed to compete with big-boy foreign manufacturers.
Enclave is the vehicle that is going to change perceptions about Buick. It blends a graceful, romantic exterior with an elegant, well-crafted interior. Enclave is smaller on the outside, but lives bigger on the inside, combining segment-leading fuel efficiency with room for up to eight passengers and space for cargo.
It blends the size and capability expected of a sport-utility with the confident, quiet driving characteristics and fuel economy ratings of a luxury sedan. A stiff structure, purpose-built suspension and aerodynamic shape are the core elements for the Enclave’s car-like driving experience.
Enclave was the perfect vehicle to be enjoyed around the holidays. My tester, the upscale CXL AWD Enclave, pampered and coddled. It was pliable to transporting boxes of toys to Christmas House and bags of goodies from Alderwood Mall. It was a welcomed member of the family, albeit for an all too brief seven days.
Starting at less than $33,000 MSRP, Enclave is priced to challenge its luxury competitors, offers better fuel economy and is quieter and roomier inside. It is also loaded with standard equipment and offers the industry’s best warranty coverage.
With EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for AWD models, Enclave is the most fuel-efficient eight-passenger SUV on the road.
Much of the standard equipment is focused around customer convenience and comfort – always a winning concept with the Lark family.
For example, the front-row center console armrest slides back and forth for personalized comfort and access to the lower console storage area. The storage area is equipped with a pull-out tray that reveals a deep space of more than 60 cubic inches (1 liter) for storing items such as bottled water or a small purse. Enclave’s elevated footrest, or “dead pedal,” adds comfort for drivers with high-heel shoes, and the power liftgate activates conveniently with the touch of a button.
The Enclave is powered by an advanced V6 featuring variable valve timing (VVT) mated to Buick’s first six-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 275 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque – and is designed to deliver its performance with world-class smoothness, quietness and durability.
Buick’s luxury crossover hints to the brand’s legendary design cues, such as a new waterfall black chrome grille – with a bold tri-shield emblem – and portholes. The grille represents the new face of Buick that will be shared across future product offerings. The portholes, which are similar in design to those on the new Lucerne sedan, form a distinct V shape as they flow out from the grille and into the hood.
Enclave’s interior is designed as an extension of the exterior, with complementing curves and warm, inviting colors — as well as premium, soft-touch, low-gloss materials. The instrument panel and other interior elements have precise attention to fit, finish and flushness throughout.
The first row has two bucket seats. The third row has a standard 60/40-split bench seat that can accommodate three adult passengers. Second-row seats feature GM’s Smart Slide, which allows easy entry to the third row with the pull of one handle.
Step-in heights for the front and rear doors also contribute to easy entry and exit.
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