The New 2020 Buick Enclave

Buick’s mid-sized SUV, the Buick Enclave, is an an amazing car for lots of reasons.  It offers a number of highly sought after features.  It is an SUV that focuses more on ride quality and comfort than raw performance.  The Enclave is an impressive vehicle that does not quite rise to the level of a ‘luxury’ SUV.  It is upscale yet moderately affordable but is still too nice to be considered a ‘standard’ mid-sized SUV .

An Overview of the 2020 Buick Enclave

Weighing in at 4,922lbs, the 2020 Enclave is a big vehicle.  At 70 inches in height and 200 inches length, it comfortably seats seven passengers.  It has 23 cubic inches of cargo storage when all three rows are in use. When the back row is folded, it has 70 cubic inches of cargo space.  With the back two rows folded it has 115 cubic inches of cargo space.

The Enclave has three distinct ‘groups’ instead of trim levels.  The base level Enclave is the‘Convenience Group’ available at an MSRP of $39,990.  The mid level group is called the  ‘Leather’ group available at an MSRP of $44,585.  Finally, the top level group is called the ‘Premium’ group  available at an MSRP of $49,625.  Every group of the Enclave is fitted with a 3.6L V6 engine that generates 288hp.

The Enclave’s List of Features

The 2020 Enclave offers various standard and optional features that many other car companies don’t provide, or offer at increased cost.  Here are some of the standard features you can expect with any Enclave level group:

• 3.6L engine which produces 288hp
• Universal home remote
• Backup camera
• IntelliLink inter-connectivity platform
• Rear power liftgate
• Forward collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Stability and friction control

The Competitions

The Buick is in a class all by itself because it is not upscale enough to be considered a real luxury car and it is too upscale for other categories.  The Enclave is middle-ground in the Medium Sized SUV category; significantly more lavish than its standard competitors, while having a much lower starting price than its extravagant competitors.  The Buick is quite luxurious, making it impossible for it to be compared to Toyota/Nissan/Ford, but not refined enough to compete with BMW/Lexus/Jaguar.

The ‘main competition for the Buick are Lincoln and Acura.  The Enclave is less performance adapted but more affordable compared to the Acura MDX.  The Buick has a nicer fit and feel, better technology features and comparable fuel economy.  The Lincoln MKX does have lower engine production numbers.  The Enclave gives a far smoother and more pleasant ride than its competitors, with competent, though unexciting, performance.

The Enclave offers a comparable 15mpg city and 22mpg highway fuel economy, which is comparable to many larger SUVs in the ‘mid-size’ category.  Unfortunately, the midsize SUV class is not known for its fuel efficiency.  The Enclave is situated at the lower end of fuel efficiency, however not in a noticeable way.

The Pros And Cons

The 2020 Buick Enclave has an “upscale” feel at a reasonable price.  It also has a luxurious, comfortable and quiet cabin ride.  The vehicle also has useful tech and infotainment features.

The 2020 Buick Enclave is, however, is not a luxury vehicle.  There are are nicer options in the category.  It has a comparable, but still reduced fuel efficiency.  Also, the ride quality is pleasant.

Conclusion

As previously mentioned, the Buick Enclave exists in an exciting space of ‘almost’ luxurious cars.  The 2020 Enclave is an excellent ‘value’ choice,  for those who want an upscale midsized SUV without paying an arm and a leg for one.