If I had to sum up the Buick Enclave in one word it would be "tasteful." Not opulent, and certainly not pedestrian, but tasteful.
From its sumptuous exterior lines to its earthy two-tone interior (with colors that look like they came out of a box of chocolates), the Enclave has a sophisticated elegance that suggests "affluent soccer grand-mom."
Derived from the competent, but basic Chevy Traverse, the Enclave has enough panache to justify its premium price. That means premium materials, flashy 20-inch wheels and a sophisticated infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen.
Our tester, which falls at roughly the mid-point of the Enclave's four trim levels, has a bottom line of $49,180. Locally, Integrity Buick GMC, at 6025 International Boulevard, had four 2019 Enclaves in digital inventory this week ranging in advertised price from $35,541 to $43,235.
FAST FACTS
* Model: 2020 Buick Enclave Essence AWD 1SL* Exterior color: Ebony Twilight Metallic* Interior color: Brandy with Ebony* Engine: 3.6-liter, V-6* Horsepower: 310* Transmission: 9-speed automatic* Fuel economy: 25 mpg highway, 17 mpg city* Local Dealer: Integrity Buick GMC, 6025 International Boulevard* Price (as tested): $49,180
WHAT IS IT?
The Buick Enclave is a three-row, near luxury SUV with seating for seven. It's Buick's largest SUV, slotting above the smaller Encore and Envision models.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST
The Enclave's four trim levels have base prices of: Preferred ($41,195), Essential $43,195), Premium ($49,595) and Avenir ($54,995).
WHAT WE LIKED
Some our favorite features of the Enclave are its cavernous cargo area, two-tone interior (Brandy and Ebony), classy exterior styling and all-season floor mats. The Sport Touring Edition package is a cluster of options that includes the sexy wheel package, sport grille and body-colored door handles.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The unconventional shifter sequence takes some time to get used to, rear visibility is pinched and the cup holders are on the small side - if you are a Big Gulp fan like me.
More Info
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS GM made the Enclave available for a one-week text drive on Chattanooga streets. We literally used it for a soccer carpool and it is the perfect vehicle for low-stress trips up and down Walden's Ridge. The 3.6-liter, V-6 engine is smooth and powerful, just the ticket for mountain climbing. Leather seats and a tri-zone climate control are two of the luxury touches in our Essense Trim tester which also features all wheel drive. There are also two USB ports for each of the tree rows of seats, a nice touch in today's hyper-wired world. BOTTOM LINE For voluminous cargo capacity and a velvety ride, the Buick Enclave is the near-luxury SUV to buy. Online: In the market for a new vehicle? To access hundreds of Mark Kennedy's Chattanooga Test Drive columns visit www.timesfreepress.com/testdrive. Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.