2012 Buick Enclave

[gr8fl4porsche]

Any owners on board?

Thinking about test driving one today. Looking for a decent sized SUV for DD capable of pulling a small trailer in style. Suburban is too large. Mid sized crossovers are too small.

Checked out the Explorer and wasn't sold as of yet even though I have been driving them since '92.

[pavulon]

Have not driven the Buick. Would cross shop a bunch before buying anything and would consider used options at equal money.

[1990C4S]

Drive and Edge. Or the Lincoln.

Then do what Eric says to do.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have been in several Edges although never actually driven one. Doesn't seem like it would pull a trailer filled with a couple yards of gravel very well.

[mgatepi]

We have the GMC Acadia Denali, which is the Buick Encave in GMC badges. We have had it for about 18 months and it has performed flawlessly. Which really has surprised me! The interior is extremely quite at highway speeds and the ride is fantastic. One constant complaint comes from my sons who do not like the second row seats...they do not recline! Other than this it has been good.
Drive one!
PS; we didnt buy the Buick because my wife said we are not old enough for a Buick....I am in my early 50's!
mg

[kaisen]

I've put thousands and thousands of miles on the GM Lambdas (Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave). I've got a few clients that have them, including my uncle.

They are the largest of the crossovers. If you need, or prefer, that size you won't find too many that compete. It's larger inside than a full-size Tahoe. The rear doors are very large, giving good access to the middle and rear seats. They've got a long wheelbase for a nice ride, good stability, and good towing characteristics.

The 3.6L Direct Inject motor is powerful enough but they are heavy vehicles. Still, the overall performance isn't much different than a 5.3L Suburban (similar power/weight). Towing a car trailer really taxes the powertrain. A smaller trailer like a pop-up camper works very well.

Quality-wise, the 2011 and 2012 models have done pretty well. But they're relatively mature now as they've been around since the Fall of 2006.



The Explorer is a little bit smaller, but I really like it. I drove a friend's Limited round-trip from Minneapolis to Knoxville, TN and a few cities inbetween. I think they drive nicer than the Lambda's, and if you're into technology the Ford kicks GM's butt with the Explorer.

Edge has no third row, neither does the Lincoln MKX. Or Nissan Murano, or Touareg, or Lexus RX, or....

Also consider the Flex, especially the 3.5L EcoBoost model. Wow. It's bigger than the Explorer. But also.....ummmm.... controversially styled. You either love or hate it. But it is bigger.

So is the Lincoln MKT that shares the Flex underpinnings. Certainly less boxy, and fancier. I'd give the Enclave a huge advantage in understated styling, inside and out. But that's subjective.

Other large crossover considerations include (in this order IMHO) the new Infiniti JX, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes GL, Dodge Durango (built on MBZ GL platform!), Kia Sorento, Audi Q7, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX. If towing is a serious consideration, the Durango, GL, and Q7 are head-and-shoulders above the rest.

Bang for the buck? I just went through all of this with a client who started out looking at Highlanders and Pilots and ended up with a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ AWD with heated/cooled leather, center row buckets, huge panoramic moonroof, backup camera, factory remote start, 3-zone climate control, etc, etc, etc. Only had 19K miles and we bought it for $29K in Colorado. So two years and 17 miles of bumper to bumper warranty, and four years and 81K miles of powertrain warranty remain. Originally had a $41K+ MSRP. His thoughts were that the Chev had more horsepower, more torque, better freeway fuel economy, performed better in crash tests, better engine/trans warranty, and was significantly larger with more features for several thousand less. Can't fault him. And he's no dummy (engineer) -- also has a 997 Turbo.

YMMV

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by mgatepi

We have the GMC Acadia Denali, which is the Buick Encave in GMC badges. We have had it for about 18 months and it has performed flawlessly. Which really has surprised me! The interior is extremely quite at highway speeds and the ride is fantastic. One constant complaint comes from my sons who do not like the second row seats...they do not recline! Other than this it has been good.
Drive one!
PS; we didnt buy the Buick because my wife said we are not old enough for a Buick....I am in my early 50's!
mg

The second row seats recline. You need to read your owner's manual.


If the Buick didn't have Buick badges it would be the most attractive of the Lambdas


But the new 2013 GMC Acadia re-style is fantastic. It's now the best looking, IMHO, if you don't love the Buick's curves (and old brand-image)

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by mgatepi

We have the GMC Acadia Denali, One constant complaint comes from my sons who do not like the second row seats...they do not recline! mg

[onewhippedpuppy]

If it were up to me I'd probably have one for our family car, but my wife said they look too much like a minivan. They are very well packaged, seriously big inside for their size. I've looked at several but never driven one. As Eric noted you can get more bang for the buck buying one of the other identical but differently branded models. My neighbor has the GMC version and is happy with it.

I had a Lincoln MKT for several days as a rental, I was generally impressed. I would consider an AWD Ecoboost version as a daily driver.

[Instrument 41]

I drive a Traverse, company car. Its OK, very roomy. My dislikes, the front bottom seat cushions are too short and can you say torque steer at highway speeds?? If you go to pass another car and there is even a slight variation in the road you better hang on to the wheel.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by kaisen

But the new 2013 GMC Acadia re-style is fantastic.

Rounded corners on a rectangle? I though Apple already patented that?

[txhokie4life]

Own an '10.

I think it can tow 5500# with tow package.

i've pulled about 4000# with my non-tow package without any issues.
I added a hitch and electric brake control.

My wife loves it -- except for the Buick badge. We've had a couple older Explorers.
Night and day -- Buick way better. Better than the Volvo XC90 (except for the V8 we had :-)
The DFI 6 is decent -- but it doesn't mimic a V8 in the get up and go department.

We've had some issues (WP failure, steering rack replaced, exhaust rattle) all under warranty.
Each time we have been given a rental. A couple times its been an Acadia.
The Enclave is way nicer than the Acadia based on our experience. Quiter more responsive ride, and much better interior quality.

YMMV,

Mike

[Zeke]

Eric, you're not taking much of a break. Or is that just from PM's?

Your information is always a benefit to PPOT.

[bivenator]

Eric should be called epic, his posts are always welcome.

[mgatepi]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Holy CRAP! I will try this tonight!!
I guess we should read the manual!!!!
Thanks!!!!

[85eurocarrera]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Eric, you're not taking much of a break. Or is that just from PM's?

Your information is always a benefit to PPOT.

absolutely!

[porsche4life]

I'll second the 2012 Durango suggestion. I've put almost 10k on one in the last few months, mostly pulling a trailer. It pulls well, has plenty of power, comfy, nicely styled on the inside, plenty of tech goodies, sat radio and iPod hookup... And the middle row definitely reclines...

[mgatepi]

Quick update on the 2nd row seat recline....it does definitely recline....about 2 inches. Still not so comfortable.
Thanks
mg