AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING7.5/10
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Safety9.0/10
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PRACTICALITY9.0/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8.0/10
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FEATURES8.5/10
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POWER7.0/10
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COMFORT8.5/10
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DRIVING FEEL8.5/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8.5/10
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VALUE8.5/10
For those family types who just can’t bring themselves to purchase a minivan, the big three-row crossover is the go-to vehicle for domestic duties.
Thoroughly redesigned, the 2025 Buick Enclave has the goods to compete in that rather crowded segment. And it’s a tough one, with stellar entries from Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen — and the list goes on. Buick’s flagship SUV has boxier, bolder styling for 2025, yet it remains true to the brand’s ethos of value-driven luxury and comfort.
Styling 7.5/10
As far as big crossovers go, the redesigned 2025 Enclave’s chiselled look translates to some decent road cred. I was surprised by the number of second glances I got during my week behind the wheel.
With its big upright grille and squinting daytime running lights, the Enclave adopts Buick’s new bold design language that’s featured on all its models, and it effectively differentiates the brand from corporate cousins Chevrolet and GMC. The Sport Touring trim tested here sits between the base version and the ritzy Avenir, and ups the sporty vibe with a mesh grille and 20-inch wheels, all of which are finished in gloss black.
Safety 9/10
The list of standard safety features and driver aids is generous even on the base Enclave — adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and keeping assist, rear parking sensors, and more. Also standard is a safety alert seat system from General Motors (GM) that gives your behind a little alert buzz instead of the usual audible chimes. While feeling a bit weird, it does get your attention.
This is the first Buick to be offered with Super Cruise, GM’s impressive hands-free highway driving assist system. It uses real-time navigation data, surround-view cameras, and multiple sensors to read the road and its surroundings while in use. As long as the driver-facing camera sees the driver is paying attention to the road, Super Cruise will have the Enclave gliding down the highway, keeping a safe distance, and, with the new auto lane-change feature, passing slower traffic and tucking back in the right lane if conditions so dictate.
It's best on the open road and in daylight; a crowded stretch of highway near Toronto at night showed Super Cruise’s limitations, as it had the Enclave speeding up, slowing down, and trying to pass willy-nilly as it reacted to the chaotic conditions. Or maybe it was just mimicking the drivers around me. The $4,395 Super Cruise package also adds automated parking assist.
Practicality 9/10
The 2025 Enclave is one of the more spacious crossovers in the segment, offering above average room for passengers in both the second- and third rows. This Enclave ST has second-row captain’s chairs, although a three-person bench comes in the base trim.
Behind the third row, you’ll find a useful 648 L of cargo space that expands to 1,617 L with the third row flat, and 2,761 L with both back rows folded. The standard tow rating is only 680 kg (1,500 lb), while an optional tow package that upgrades engine cooling pushes it to a respectable 2,268 kg (5,000 lb).
There’s plenty of useful storage up front, including a large covered compartment between the front seats and open storage beneath the stylish floating console.
User-Friendliness 8/10
It’s easy to get familiar with the Enclave’s Google-based interface. Along with the infotainment’s straightforward menu system, there’s a row of physical toggles for HVAC functions. There’s also a large volume knob on the console. Gear selection duties are handled by a column-mounted electronic wand — a system that works just fine for Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce.
With its big doors, access to all rows is good, but if you are using the third row for the smaller progeny, you’ll want the $1,995 Power package that bestows one-touch folding and sliding functionality for the second row, plus power folding for the third-row bench. Also included with this package is a head-up display, memory settings for the driver’s seat, heated windshield wipers, a 110-volt outlet, and universal garage door opener.
Features 8.5/10
Standard features include that swanky 30-inch sweeping screen, tri-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a decent 12-speaker stereo, wireless phone charging pad, and a heated steering wheel and front seats. The powered panoramic sunroof costs $1,695 extra.
Leather, front seat ventilation, and second-row seat heat don’t show up until the top Avenir trim, and Buick doesn’t offer ventilated second-row seats or a heated third row, which are starting to become more common in luxury three-row crossovers. The base model and ST roll on 20-inch alloys. Moving up to the Avenir nets 22-inch wheels and adaptive damping.
Power 7.0/10
With this new Enclave, Buick has ditched the V6 for a more powerful and efficient turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder that makes a healthy 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. Working with a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, it drives all four wheels.
While power is up over the outgoing V6, the engine’s vocal gruffness when pressed takes away from the otherwise premium vibe this big Buick imparts. The transmission is fairly reluctant to kick down to a lower gear (it’s all about the fuel economy), which means throttle response isn’t quick when also considering the turbo lag that’s here. What this powertrain needs is mild hybrid assist to smooth out progress and reduce noise.
Comfort 8.5/10
Buick is all about delivering a cosseting experience for its passengers, and this new Enclave does a good job on that front. The front seats (power-adjustable eight ways for the driver and six ways for the passenger), wrapped in perforated leatherette, are comfy and slightly squishy in that GM way. The ST’s second-row captain’s chairs are similarly accommodating, and while the third row is a bit tight, it’s fine for kids and smaller adults.
Standard active driveline noise cancellation keeps the cabin noise to a hush when cruising, but why Buick has separate engine noise cancellation, and why it’s reserved for the top Avenir trim, is a head scratcher. The Enclave’s ride is generally smooth, although sharper impacts are more noticeable than they should be with this standard “sport suspension” that really isn’t sporty at all. The adaptive damping that comes with the top Avenir trim gives the full luxury experience.
Driving Feel 8.5/10
There’s nothing sporty about this Enclave ST, which in the grand scheme of themes is hardly a detriment. No one is buying a three-row family crossover to get their sports car freak on. However, the Enclave is lacklustre when it comes to handling, showing numb steering and a chassis that’s not particularly interested in accurate body control.
Dynamically, it doesn’t feel as refined as its overseas rivals. The Enclave is, however, a fine long-distance cruiser, eating up the highway kilometres in secure and stable calm.
Fuel Economy 8.5/10
My week of mostly light-footed highway driving interspersed with some in-town running around netted an impressive 9.9 L/100 km. Official fuel economy figures are 12.3 L/100 km around town, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. It runs on regular-grade gasoline.
Value 8.5/10
Buick is a nameplate that has always traded on value, and the 2025 Enclave gives plenty of luxury bang for the buck. The base model, at $57,999, delivers the full suite of safety kit and tech; about the only option a family would need is the $1,995 Power pack.
The ST tested here is nothing more than a trim upgrade; for an extra $1,500 you’re getting a black grille and wheels, and some ST interior trim. At $67,999, the Avenir ramps up the luxury with perforated leather, ventilated seats, premium audio, 22-inch wheels, adaptive damping, and more.
The Verdict
“Near luxury” best describes the 2025 Buick Enclave’s positioning. In the GM world, it’s more premium than Chevrolet but not as outright luxurious as Cadillac. It’s also pricier than rivals such as the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot, but considerably more affordable than offerings from Volvo, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes.
Instead, its direct competition is the Mazda CX-90, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and maybe even the Infiniti QX60, and in this crowd it does hold its own — with a few caveats. For some, the appeal of its stylish exterior and tech-laden and passenger-friendly cabin will be tempered by its gruff engine that doesn’t live up to luxury pretensions. Nonetheless, as a posh day-to-day family hauler, this big Buick delivers and is worth a long look for shoppers in the market for a ritzy three-row crossover.
| Engine Displacement | 2.5L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 328 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 326 lb-ft @ 3,500 |
| Fuel Economy | 12.3 / 9.9 / 11.2 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 648 /1,617 /2,761 L behind 3rd/2nd/1st |
| Model Tested | 2025 Buick Enclave Sport Touring AWD |
| Base Price | $59,499 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,000 |
| Price as Tested | $69,879 |
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Optional Equipment
$8,280 — Super Cruise package, $4,395; Power package, $1,995; Power panoramic sunroof, $1,695; Engine block heater, $195
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