Buick Enclave

[gr8fl4porsche]

Looking for a new SUV that will have some legroom for my kids in carseats in the second row of seats. The addition of the 3rd row of seats has really ruined the comfort in the second row. Most midsize SUV's have this feature and eliminating it is not an option. Don't want to get another Minivan or Suburban sized vehicle.

Anyone have an Enclave or something similar that has legroom for the little ones with dual large Britax carseats?

[Super_Dave_D]

I am on my third Pathfinder - 2002, 2005 and a 2008. The 08 LE is a very nice ride (as far as SUV's go). A VERY VERY close runner up was the Mazda CX7 - it has a 3rd row but it’s a hybrid and my wife kept saying it looked like a mini-van. Both vehicles fully loaded are right at 40k but the Mazda was lacking on some seemingly standard items you would look for in a 40k vehicle (like a trip computer).

[HardDrive]

We have an 04 Lexus RX330. Very pleased.

The Enclave looks great.

[onewhippedpuppy]

What size SUVs are you looking at? We have a Cadillac SRX with the 3rd row, but there's an abundance of room in the 2nd row. I can adjust my seat to comfort in front, then sit in the 2nd row without my knees touching the front seat. The rear facing baby seat even fits well, and my 3 year old has a ton of room with his booster seat. With the 320 HP Northstar V8, AWD, and a CTS based suspension, it's a damn fun SUV. Interior quality is very good, at 52k it's still tight. Even though it's been out a few years, I think it's an eye-catching design. They're pricey new but a steal used.

Our only complaint is the luggage room with the 3rd row up (it also folds flat). The 3rd row is great for kids, but with the seat in use the luggage space in back is virtually non-existent. With the seat folded flat there's a lot of room. When we have another kid we'll probably pick up a member of the Acadia/Enclave/Outlook family. They have a lot more room behind the 3rd row seat, lots of room in the second row, and get 25 MPG. Interior space looks to be about equal to a Tahoe, without the crappy MPG and truck-like experience. Quality also looks to be pretty good, compared to the SRX I'm sure the performance will be lacking. The 2nd row captain's chairs are a nice option, it makes access to the 3rd row much easier. I'd say they hit the sweet spot for SUVs, big inside, but not monsterous on the outside.

[Dueller]

Have you considered a crossover? I had use of an 07 Chrysler Pacifica when wife's car was in the shop for a month. It was a midlevel trim model buit still nicely appointed. I was suprised at how comfortable it was...huge space between front and middle seats. Rear seats were useable in a pinch.

It handled suprisingly well, was comfy on a 1000 mile trip one weekend with 4 adults, got decent fuel mileage (26-28ish) and was pretty peppy cruising at 85 easaily on the interstates.

We borrowed it from a friend who has a wholesale yard. It was an off lease vehicle with 22K on the clock we could have bought it used for around $16K...thought about it for a while.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I believe the Enclave is considered a crossover.

I forgot to mention that I get the GM Employee Discount if I go the GM route (brother in law works for GMAC). I have driven Fords for years and am ready for a change. Was going to try a GM this time.

I need to stick with Domestic since I am a Union Contractor - hard to explain if you haven't been around a lot of union workers.

Anyone ridden in an Enclave? They sure look nice. I will look at the Cadillac.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Enclave/Acadia/Outlook are considered a crossover, as is the SRX.

I've read a few accounts of SRX owners moving over to the Enclave, overall they seem happy. Being FWD biased, less HP, and bigger it's not as sporty, more luxury oriented. Supposedly they are eerily quiet inside, and very high quality. Take a test drive and report back, I'm very curious.

If it has to be domestic, I don't know what other good options there are. Ford Freestyle/Lincoln MKX is small, Explorer/Aviator and Expedition/Navigator are both trucks. Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade are also trucks. Durango is also a truck, and a POS in my opinion. If it were me, I would compare the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, and see if the Buick is worth the extra cash. If you'd like a bit more sport, give the SRX a serious look. The new SRX interior is sublime, easily up to par with the imports. The CTS based suspension and RWD bias make it feel like a big sports sedan. Speaking of which, the Northstar is an awesome engine, smoother and better sounding than the M60 in my BMW 540.

[jorian]

I just can't past the name Enclave. Makes me ill. It's a truck not a gated community.