Tiger Woods has appeared in commercials for a lot of different Buick models, but the new 2008 Buick Enclave is the one we can actually picture him driving off the set.
That’s because the Enclave is every bit world-class as Tiger is. With an handsome exterior and a passenger cabin reminiscent of a country club lounge, the Enclave has a stylish look and high-quality feel that compares favorably with some of the best European and Japanese luxury brands.
Better still is the fact that its beauty is more than just skin deep. It’s 275-horsepower, V-6 engine delivers very respectable performance, while its fully-independent suspension provides a good balance between confident handling and a smooth ride.
Much of the credit for the Enclave’s sophisticated feel goes to the Buick engineers efforts to insulate the cabin from outside noise. The result is one of the quietest interiors on the market, a space so serene that it actually sounds like you’re coasting with the engine off at highway speeds.
Add a comfortable interior with room for up to eight passengers in three rows of seats (or a huge amount of cargo with those seats folded down) and the Enclave makes an excellent home-grown alternative to the best luxury crossover models the world has to offer.
Strengths:
Remarkably quiet interior
Elegant styling
Excellent passenger comfort/cargo capacity
Weaknesses:
Buick badge doesn’t have same cache as other luxury brands
Can get pricey with options
Awkward access to third-row for parents with kids in child seats
Bottom Line:
Spacious, serene, and sharp-looking, the Enclave should be at the top of every luxury crossover shopping list.
115.1 cu. ft. (behind first-row seats)|65.9 cu. ft. (behind second-row seats)|23.3 cu. ft. (behind third-row seats)
Headroom
Front: 40.4 in.|Second Row: 39.4 in.|Third Row: 37.8 in.
Legroom
Front: 41.3 in.|Second Row: 36.8 in.|Third Row: 33.2 in.
Seating
7 - 8
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive|All-wheel drive
Engine
3.6L V6
City mileage
16/24 (FWD)|16/22 (AWD)
Highway mileage
Fuel capacity
22 gallons
Fuel requirement
Regular unleaded
Horsepower
288-hp @ 6,300 rpm
Torque
270 lbs.-ft. @ 3,400 rpm
Towing capacity
4,500 lbs.
Transmission
Six-speed automatic
Wheels
18-inch alloy|19-inch alloy
Options
Dual-panel sunroof/rear skylight|Trailer hitch/wiring harness|Ultrasonic rear parking assist|Heated windshield washer fluid|Adaptive front headlights|Back-up camera|Remote start|60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat|Second-row center console|Power tilt/telescoping steering column|115-volt AC power outlet|DVD-based navigation system|Premium Bose audio system w/ 10 speakers|Premium Bose surround sound system w/ 10 speakers|Rear-seat DVD entertainment system w/ 8-in. monitor|Six-disc in-dash CD changer
Safety features
/*Antilock Brakes:*/|Standard|/*Electronic Stability Control:*/|Standard|/*Traction Control:*/|Standard|/*Multi-Stage front airbags:*/|Standard|/*Side-Impact Airbags:*/|Standard|/*Side-Curtain Airbags:*/|Standard|/*Active Front Head Restraints:*/|Not Available|/*Tire Pressure Monitor:*/|Standard
Standard features
/*CX:*/|18-inch alloy wheels|Xenon headlights|Daytime running lights|Front fog lights|Deep-tinted rear privacy glass|Power-operated rear liftgate|Dual chrome exhaust tips|Roof rack side rails|Power-adjustable heated outside mirrors|Intermittent windshield wipers|Rear window wiper/washer|Rear window defogger|Tri-zone automatic climate control|Cloth upholstery|Second-row captain's chairs|Leather-wrapped, real mahogany wood-accented steering wheel|Keyless entry|Universal garage door opener|Cruise control|Auto-dimming rearview mirror w/ compass display|Power windows|Power door locks|Tilt/telescoping steering wheel|Floor mats|AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers|XM Satellite Radio|Auxiliary audio input jack|OnStar with one-year "Directions & Connections"|/*CXL Adds:*/|19-inch alloy wheels|Leather upholstery|Power-adjustable front seats|Heated front seats|Memory presets for driver's seat/outside mirrors|
