Buick Enclave

Buick Enclave
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	April 11, 2007–present
Model years	2008–present
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury crossover SUV
Chronology
Predecessor	Buick Rainier Buick Rendezvous Buick Terraza Pontiac Montana SV6

The Buick Enclave is a full-size luxury crossover SUV launched in 2007. The Enclave, the GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show,^[1] officially as a concept car, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the Buick Centieme concept shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.

The Enclave replaced both of Buick's SUVs, the minivan-based Rendezvous and the truck-based Rainier, as well as the Terraza minivan. As of February 2014, the 2014 Enclave was the top-ranked Affordable Midsize SUV in U.S. News & World Report's rankings.^[2]

First generation (2008–2017)

First generation
Overview
Production	April 11, 2007[3]–2017
Model years	2008–2017
Assembly	Lansing Delta Township Assembly, Delta Township, Michigan, U.S. Shanghai, China (Shanghai GM)
Body and chassis
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform	GM Lambda platform
Related	Chevrolet Traverse GMC Acadia Saturn Outlook
Powertrain
Engine	3.6 L LY7 V6 (275 hp) 3.6 L LLT V6 (286 hp)
Transmission	6-speed 6T75 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	118.9 in (3,020 mm)
Length	201.8 in (5,126 mm) (2008–2012) 201.9 in (5,128 mm) (2013–2017)
Width	79 in (2,007 mm)
Height	72.2 in (1,834 mm) (2008–2009) 72.5 in (1,842 mm) (2010–2013) 71.7 in (1,821 mm) (2013–2017)
Curb weight	4,780–4,985 lb (2,168–2,261 kg)

Features

The Enclave has seating for seven passengers, with an optional second row bench seat instead of the standard two captain chairs which increases the seating to eight. It comes standard with front-wheel drive with an option of all-wheel drive.

The Enclave shares powertrains with its Lambda siblings. For its first year of production, the Enclave was powered by a 275 hp (205 kW) 3.6 L High Feature V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.^[4] For the 2009 model, a 3.6 L V6 Direct Injection Spark Ignition VVT with 286 hp (213 kW) and 255 lb·ft (346 N·m). of torque standard (also standard on other 2009 Lambdas). The latter direct-injection engine offers a broader torque curve, and brings fuel economy to 17 mpg_-US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg_-imp)/24 mpg_-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg_-imp) for FWD models and 16 mpg_-US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg_-imp)/22 mpg_-US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg_-imp) for AWD models, according to the new United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The Lambda vehicles are built at GM's new Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing, Michigan, and production of the Enclave commenced on April 11, 2007,^[3] with the first vehicles reaching certain dealers by the end of the month. The Enclave debuted with a starting price of $32,790.^[4]

The 2012 Buick Enclave still has the 3.6L V6 and 6-Speed Automatic transmission,but the power is now up to 288 hp (215 kW) with the torque coming in at 270 ft·lbf (370 N·m).

The Enclave is often praised for its subsequently vast cargo space while maintaining the relatively dynamic nature of unibody construction over the conventional body-on-frame. It is also praised for being one of the quietest vehicles available for sale in the United States, as well as for the quality of the interior.^[5]

In its first year of production, the Enclave was often criticized for its 6-speed transmission, which was "hesitant to downshift."^[5] For 2009, though, the powertrain is regarded as more competent with more abundant torque. For its entire production, it has been regarded as too heavy, weighing nearly 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) with all-wheel-drive. Buick's VentiPorts have reappeared at the Enclave's introduction, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to 1949.

Initial sales of the Enclave have been very strong, with demand far exceeding production capacity, forcing GM to add a third shift to the Delta Township plant.

With the arrival of the Buick Envision to North America in 2016 (for the 2017 model year), the Enclave will be bigger after Envision's debut, and the 2017 model year Enclave will be the last under the first generation platform

2013 facelift

GM unveiled the 2013 Buick Enclave on April 3, 2012, one day before its official debut at the New York Auto Show.^[6] The 2013 model features revised exterior styling including a new chrome waterfall grille, xenon headlights with LED running lights, and LED taillights.^[7] Interior updates include a redesigned dashboard with more soft-touch materials, wood and chrome accents, blue ambient lighting, and touchscreen IntelliLink infotainment display. Among safety features are seven standard airbags, including an industry-first front center airbag, and available blind-spot monitoring.^[8]

Markets

Sales in the United States and Canada began in 2007 during the 2008 model year. In 2008, General Motors began exporting the Enclave to China, to be sold through Shanghai GM's Buick network.^[9]

The Buick brand has been relaunched in Mexico for the 2010 model year, bringing the Enclave to that market.^[10]

Second generation (2018–present)

With the introduction of the mid-size Buick Envision, the next generation Enclave is expected to move upmarket, competing with the Nissan Pathfinder, Ford Explorer, Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX60, and Acura MDX. Buick is planning on making the new Enclave a 2018 model, giving the first generation Enclave a relatively long product lifespan of 9 years. Sharing the same platform with the Chevrolet Traverse, it is expected to be sleeker, lighter, equipped with LED headlights and feature the newly introduced winged Buick waterfall grille. The 2018 Enclave will be revealed in mid-2017.^[13][12]

Sales in the United States

Awards

The Enclave received the Best New SUV / CUV (over C$60,000) from the AJAC in 2008.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buick Enclave.

• Enclave Large Luxury Crossover - Official Site
• www.enclaveforum.net The largest dedicated Enclave Forum on the web