Luxury Meets Practicality: Are Buick Enclave Good Cars for Modern Families?

When families ask “are Buick Enclave good cars?”, they’re really questioning whether this three-row SUV can successfully balance luxury aspirations with practical family needs. The completely redesigned 2025 Buick Enclave represents a compelling answer—offering premium styling, generous space for seven passengers, and an impressive array of standard features at a price point that undercuts many luxury competitors. As Buick’s flagship SUV enters its third generation, it sheds its conservative image for bold, Wildcat-inspired styling while maintaining the comfort-first philosophy that has long defined the brand. This comprehensive review will examine every aspect of the 2025 Enclave—from its controversial switch to a four-cylinder engine to its stunning 30-inch display and real-world family usability—to help you determine if this upscale people-mover deserves a spot in your driveway.

What’s New for 2025: A Complete Transformation

The 2025 Buick Enclave represents the first model year of the SUV’s third generation, marking the most significant update since the vehicle’s initial introduction. Unlike typical mid-cycle refreshes that might update grilles or add features, this redesign is comprehensive—every exterior panel is new, the interior is completely reimagined, and the powertrain has been thoroughly revised .

The design inspiration comes directly from the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featuring a lower, wider grille, shark-nose profile, and sleek LED lighting elements that give the Enclave a more assertive road presence . The transformation is so complete that some observers initially mistake the new Enclave for a Lexus, indicating Buick’s success in elevating its design language to compete with established luxury brands .

Under the hood, the previous 3.6-liter V6 engine has been replaced across all trims by a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission . This move mirrors industry trends toward smaller, forced-induction engines and brings both power increases and efficiency improvements, though not without some trade-offs in refinement that we’ll explore later.

The technological leap forward is equally significant, highlighted by a standard 30-inch ultrawide curved display that combines the instrument cluster and infotainment system into a single, seamless interface . Perhaps most notably, the 2025 Enclave marks the first availability of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system on a Buick model, putting it at the forefront of driver assistance technology .

Exterior Design: Making a Luxury Statement

The 2025 Enclave’s exterior design represents a dramatic departure from its predecessor, embracing contemporary styling cues while establishing a more distinctive brand identity. The transformation is immediately apparent from every angle, signaling Buick’s intent to compete in the premium SUV segment on aesthetic merit.

From the front, the Enclave features a prominent trapezoidal grille flanked by slim-line LED headlights that create a modern, technical appearance . The hood-mounted Buick badge and more sculpted profile contribute to the upscale impression, with many observers noting the design looks “way more expensive than it is” . The side profile is characterized by sleek lines, chrome accents, and available 22-inch wheels that further enhance the premium aesthetic .

At the rear, a distinctive lightbar spans the width of the vehicle, integrating seamlessly into the overall design . The attention to detail extends to animated welcome lighting signatures that greet approaching drivers, a feature typically found on more expensive luxury vehicles .

Buick offers the Enclave in three distinct trim levels, each with its own design personality:

• Preferred: The base model features 20-inch alloy wheels and a balanced appearance
• Sport Touring (ST): Adds blacked-out exterior accents, a unique grille treatment, and machine-faced wheels for a more athletic look 
• Avenir: Positioned as the luxury flagship with Pearl Nickel-finished 22-inch wheels, additional chrome accents, and exclusive Avenir badging 

The overall execution successfully bridges the gap between mainstream and luxury aesthetics, giving families an SUV that looks substantially more premium than competitors like the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander, while typically costing thousands less than European luxury alternatives.

Interior Comfort and Quality: The Family-Friendly Cabin

Step inside the 2025 Enclave, and the transformation continues with an interior that represents a significant upgrade in materials, design, and overall ambiance. Buick has focused on creating a space that feels both luxurious and practical for family life, with mixed results in certain areas.

First-Row Seating and Comfort

The front seats of the Enclave provide excellent comfort for drivers and passengers, with generous headroom and supportive cushioning . Higher trims like the Avenir feature quilted-and-perforated leather-appointed seats with contrast stitching and elegant gold trim details that elevate the perceived quality .

Practical features include:

• Heated and ventilated seats standard on Preferred and Sport Touring trims, with massaging functionality added on Avenir models 
• 8-way power driver seat and 6-way power front passenger seat with 4-way power lumbar support across all trims 
• Thoughtful storage solutions including a floating center console with space for purses or bags underneath 

The available white interior option, while beautiful, may give pause to families with young children due to potential staining from spills or dirty hands . Most family-focused buyers will likely prefer the more practical dark interior colors.

Second-Row Accommodations

The second row features captain’s chairs exclusively in the 2025 model, with no bench seat option available . This decision enhances the luxury feel but reduces maximum seating capacity from eight to seven passengers.

Family-friendly second-row features include:

• Excellent legroom and headroom even for taller adults 
• Ceiling vents and climate controls for personalized comfort 
• Heated outboard seats on Avenir trim 
• Multiple USB-C charging ports conveniently located for rear passengers 

A particularly innovative feature is the car seat tilt function, which allows easier access to the third row even when child safety seats are installed in the second row . This addresses a common frustration for parents in three-row SUVs.

Third-Row Usability

The Enclave’s third row stands out in the midsize SUV segment for its genuine usability. Unlike many competitors where the third row is suitable only for children, the Enclave provides surprisingly comfortable accommodation for adults .

Key third-row attributes:

• Decent headroom and legroom when second-row seats are adjusted appropriately 
• Ceiling air vents to maintain comfortable temperatures 
• USB charging ports and cup holders for passenger convenience 

The primary limitation for families is the lack of lower LATCH anchors in the third row—only tether anchors are provided . This significantly restricts car seat installation options, making the third row better suited to older children or adults rather than young children in car seats.

Cabin Atmosphere and Materials

Throughout the cabin, Buick has employed higher-quality materials than in previous generations, with soft-touch surfaces, appealing textures, and thoughtful details . The multicolor ambient lighting system with 126 color options (static on Preferred and ST, static and dynamic on Avenir) allows drivers to customize the cabin’s ambiance .

Buick’s traditional commitment to quietness continues with QuietTuning technology and active noise cancellation working together to create a remarkably hushed cabin environment . This sound management makes highway driving particularly serene and enhances audio quality from the available Bose sound systems.

Table: Interior Dimensions and Comfort Features

Feature	Preferred	Sport Touring	Avenir
Front Seats	Heated leatherette	Heated leatherette	Heated, ventilated & massaging leather-appointed
Second Row	Captain’s chairs	Captain’s chairs	Heated captain’s chairs with one-touch folding
Third Row	60/40 split manual fold	60/40 split manual fold	60/40 split power-folding
Audio System	12-speaker Bose	12-speaker Bose	16-speaker Bose Performance Series
Ambient Lighting	Static	Static	Static & Dynamic

Performance and Driving Experience: Comfort Over Sport

The 2025 Enclave’s driving character aligns perfectly with its family-hauling mission—it prioritizes smooth, comfortable, and relaxed driving over sporty dynamics. The switch to a four-cylinder engine represents the most significant change and has generated both praise and criticism.

Powertrain and Acceleration

The new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, representing an increase of 18 horsepower and a substantial 60 lb-ft of torque over the previous V6 . This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations available.

Real-world performance characteristics:

• 0-60 mph acceleration takes 7.4 seconds in FWD models and 7.9 seconds in heavier AWD versions 
• The powertrain delivers strong passing power on highways thanks to the abundant torque 
• The four-cylinder engine can sound coarse under hard acceleration, a notable contrast to the refined V6 it replaces 
• The transmission generally shifts smoothly but can occasionally produce rough downshifts in slow-and-go traffic situations 

While the Enclave is certainly not slow, it falls slightly behind some competitors in acceleration, with the previous-generation model actually reaching 60 mph 0.4-0.9 seconds quicker despite having less power . The weight increase of over 200 pounds in the new generation partially explains this performance difference.

Ride and Handling

The Enclave’s handling philosophy prioritizes comfort above all else, making it an excellent long-distance tourer rather than a engaging driver’s vehicle.

Ride quality impressions:

• Exceptionally comfortable ride that effectively absorbs road imperfections 
• Minimal body roll for a vehicle of its size and mission 
• Avenir models with Continuous Damping Control provide particularly impressive ride sophistication 
• The steering is light and responsive, contributing to a surprisingly compact feel despite the vehicle’s substantial dimensions 

The Enclave’s excellent outward visibility, aided by a lower beltline and larger windows than many competitors, makes it easy to place on the road and maneuver in tight spaces . This is a significant advantage in parking situations compared to SUVs with higher shoulder lines and smaller window areas.

Towing and Capability

With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Enclave provides respectable utility for pulling small trailers, boats, or other recreational equipment . The available all-wheel-drive system is primarily designed for enhanced traction in adverse weather conditions rather than off-road capability, which aligns with the vehicle’s stated mission as a comfortable people-mover .

One notable drawback is that the AWD system requires manual activation via a console button rather than operating automatically, which some critics have noted is less convenient than competing systems that engage automatically when needed .

Technology and Infotainment: The Centerpiece Display

The 2025 Enclave’s technological showcase is undoubtedly its standard 30-inch ultrawide curved display, which combines the instrument cluster and infotainment system into a single seamless interface. This system represents a massive leap forward from previous generations and competes favorably with systems found in more expensive vehicles.

Google-Based Infotainment System

The Enclave’s infotainment system runs on Google Built-In technology, which includes:

• Google Maps with integrated routing and search
• Google Assistant for voice commands
• Google Play Store for app downloads
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility 

The system is generally intuitive and responsive, with crisp graphics and logical menu structures . Users can customize the home screen with frequently used apps and functions, similar to organizing a smartphone interface . The integration of Apple Maps directions into the instrument cluster and available head-up display is particularly useful for navigation .

One notable criticism involves the implementation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which don’t fully utilize the expansive screen real estate, instead appearing as floating rectangles rather than adapting to the full width of the display .

Audio Systems

All Enclave trims come with premium Bose audio systems:

• Preferred and Sport Touring: 12-speaker Bose premium audio system
• Avenir: 16-speaker Bose Performance Series system 

Reviewers note that both systems deliver rich, clear, and powerful sound across music genres, with the Avenir’s upgraded system providing particularly impressive audio quality that enhances the luxury driving experience .

Connectivity and Convenience

The Enclave offers comprehensive connectivity options, including:

• Wireless charging pad (though some reviewers noted potential overheating issues) 
• Multiple USB-C ports throughout all three rows
• 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability 
• Remote commands via smartphone app 

The standard AutoSense power liftgate can be programmed with height adjustment and opens automatically when it detects someone approaching with the key fob .

Safety and Driver Assistance: Protecting Your Family

The 2025 Buick Enclave comes well-equipped with advanced safety features, and has earned the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Award for vehicles built after January 2025, providing families with confidence in its protective capabilities .

Standard Safety Features

All Enclave trims include the Buick Driver Confidence suite of advanced driver assistance systems:

• Forward Collision Warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Front and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Following Distance Indicator
• Adaptive Headlights 

Additional standard safety equipment includes:

• Blind Zone Steering Assist (can provide gentle steering correction if changing lanes would cause a collision) 
• Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking 
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking 
• HD Surround Vision camera system 

Available Advanced Systems

The most significant available safety technology is Super Cruise, GM’s acclaimed hands-free driving system that now works on both divided and undivided highways . The system includes:

• Lane Change on Demand (automated lane changes when driver activates turn signal)
• Driver Attention Assist (monitors driver engagement)
• Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist 

Super Cruise requires a $3,255 option package plus an ongoing subscription after an initial 3-year trial period (estimated at $25/month or $250/year based on other GM vehicles) . Reviewers consider it among the best systems of its type, though some note it can be somewhat aggressive in its acceleration and braking patterns .

One notable criticism involves the implementation of the rearview camera, which displays a surprisingly small image rather than utilizing more of the available screen real estate .

Family Practicality: Living with the Enclave

For families considering the Enclave, daily usability and practicality are paramount concerns. The 2025 model delivers several family-friendly advantages while exhibiting a few limitations that some buyers should consider.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Enclave provides excellent car seat installation in the first two rows but has limitations in the third row:

• First row: Both front seats have standard LATCH anchors
• Second row: Captain’s chairs feature easily accessible lower LATCH anchors and tether anchors 
• Third row: Only tether anchors (no lower LATCH anchors) and non-removable headrests can complicate booster seat installation 

The innovative car seat tilt feature on second-row seats significantly improves access to the third row when child seats are installed, addressing a common frustration for parents .

Cargo Space and Flexibility

The Enclave offers competitive cargo capacity throughout the cabin:

• Behind third row: 22.9 cubic feet (significantly more than competitors like Acura MDX, Lincoln Aviator, and Mazda CX-90) 
• Maximum cargo capacity: 97.5 cubic feet with second and third rows folded 
• Underfloor storage compartments provide additional concealed space 

The Avenir trim enhances convenience with power-folding third-row seats and one-touch folding and sliding second-row seats . All trims feature a 60/40 split-folding third row to balance passenger and cargo needs.

Daily Usability Considerations

Family-friendly features include:

• Multiple USB-C ports throughout all three rows for device charging 
• Ceiling vents in all three rows for effective climate control 
• Comfortable seating positions in all rows 

Notable omissions for families:

• No built-in sunshades for second-row windows 
• No bench seat option available, limiting seating flexibility 
• Light-colored interior options may show stains from children’s spills 

Trim Level Comparison and Value Analysis

The 2025 Enclave is available in three well-defined trim levels, each targeting different buyer priorities and budgets. Understanding the value proposition at each level helps determine the optimal configuration for your needs.

Preferred ($46,395 including destination) 

The base Preferred trim comes remarkably well-equipped, making it an excellent value proposition. Standard features include:

• 30-inch curved display with Google Built-In
• Heated front seats and heated steering wheel
• 12-speaker Bose audio system
• AutoSense power liftgate
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive Cruise Control 

The Preferred trim provides nearly all the essential features most families need, with the primary compromises being leatherette upholstery (instead of leather) and the lack of premium interior accents found on higher trims.

Sport Touring ($48,795 including destination) 

The Sport Touring trim builds on the Preferred with primarily aesthetic enhancements:

• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• ST interior trim and badging
• Gloss black exterior accents
• 20-inch machine-faced wheels 

The Sport Touring represents a relatively small price increase over the Preferred but doesn’t add significant functionality. It’s best suited for buyers who prefer its specific aesthetic treatment.

Avenir ($59,395 including destination) 

The range-topping Avenir trim delivers a genuinely luxury-level experience:

• Quilted leather-appointed seats with Avenir embroidery
• Ventilated and massaging front seats
• Heated second-row outboard seats
• 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio
• 22-inch wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Continuous Damping Control adaptive suspension
• Power-folding third-row seats 

The Avenir commands a significant price premium but delivers substantial luxury content that approaches vehicles costing $20,000-$30,000 more. It represents an excellent value for buyers seeking maximum comfort and features.

Competitive Positioning: How the Enclave Stacks Up

The 2025 Buick Enclave occupies a unique position in the three-row SUV marketplace, straddling the line between mainstream and luxury segments while offering a compelling value proposition.

Against Mainstream Competitors

Compared to popular mainstream three-row SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Kia Telluride, the Enclave offers:

• More premium interior materials and design 
• Quieter cabin through enhanced sound deadening 
• More standard features at similar price points 
• Available Super Cruise hands-free driving technology 

While pricing is competitive with these models, the Enclave positions itself as the more upscale, comfort-focused alternative in the segment.

Against Luxury Alternatives

When compared to luxury three-row SUVs like the Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, and Lincoln Aviator, the Enclave delivers:

• Similar feature content at significantly lower prices 
• More spacious third-row accommodations than most competitors 
• Comparable cabin quietness and comfort 

The Enclave particularly shines against these competitors in value terms, offering 80-90% of the luxury experience at 70-80% of the price.

Ownership Considerations: Cost of Ownership and Reliability

Fuel Efficiency

The 2025 Enclave shows modest fuel economy improvements over its predecessor:

• FWD models: 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined 
• AWD models: 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined 

These figures represent a 2 mpg improvement in city driving for FWD models compared to the previous V6 engine . Real-world testing has shown results slightly below EPA estimates, with one reviewer averaging 21.8 mpg combined in a FWD model .

Reliability and Dependability

While long-term reliability data isn’t yet available for the redesigned 2025 model, Buick was recently recognized by J.D. Power as the #1 mainstream brand for dependability, providing some confidence in the vehicle’s build quality and potential reliability .

As with any all-new model with significant mechanical changes (particularly the new engine and transmission), some teething problems might emerge in early production models. The Enclave is manufactured at GM’s Lansing, Michigan assembly plant .

The Verdict: Who Is the Buick Enclave For?

After thorough examination of the 2025 Buick Enclave’s capabilities, strengths, and limitations, clear recommendations emerge for different types of buyers.

The Enclave Is Perfect For:

• Families seeking luxury ambiance without the luxury price tag
• Buyers who prioritize ride comfort and cabin quietness over sporty handling
• Families with older children or those who primarily use the third row occasionally for passengers rather than car seats
• Value-conscious shoppers who want premium features without premium brand pricing

The Enclave Might Disappoint:

• Families requiring multiple car seats in the third row (due to lack of lower LATCH anchors)
• Buyers who prefer sporty driving dynamics and engaging performance
• Those who prioritize maximum fuel efficiency (hybrid alternatives offer better economy)
• Traditional V6 enthusiasts who prefer the smoother, quieter operation of a six-cylinder engine

Conclusion: A Compelling Family Luxury Proposition

So, are Buick Enclave good cars? The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the 2025 Buick Enclave represents an excellent choice for families seeking three-row luxury and practicality at a sensible price point. With its handsome redesign, significantly upgraded interior, generous standard features, and exceptional comfort, the Enclave successfully delivers about 90% of the luxury experience found in vehicles costing tens of thousands more.

While the switch to a four-cylinder engine introduces some refinement trade-offs and the third row has limitations for car seat installation, these compromises are balanced by thoughtful family-friendly features, impressive technology including available Super Cruise, and a overall package that excels at its core mission of transporting families in comfort and style.

For shoppers who value luxury ambiance, quiet operation, and practical family space over sporty performance and brand prestige, the 2025 Buick Enclave deserves serious consideration as one of the most compelling values in the three-row SUV marketplace.