Long-Term Test: 2008 Buick Enclave CX

Wow, $37,500 for a 7-seat, 2wd vehicle without leather seats, that averages under 17 mpg. My Odyssey (mommy-van stigma aside) is sure looking better and better.

Smalone, on the Edmunds scale, the Odyssey got an identical 17 mpg.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=104757/pageId=62708
 
As with the EPA ratings, the Enclave is 19 mpg combined, while the Odyssey is 18 mpg, Odyssey VCM 19 mpg.

I would have skipped the navigation and used one of the aftermarket GPS units recently tested.

I wonder how many luxury crossover buyers would actually opt for no leather seats.
 
Like Edmunds testing a Tundra SR5 with a bench front seat.
Toyota doesn't even make those for 2008.

edmunds tends to get odd ball combinations. I'm geussing part of it. is they get the cars loaned to them. so the dealer probably gets rid of models that are hard to sell.
 
Like enclave.. lots of gizmos no leather. I bet most would sell with leather before the other stuff. Leather means you made it.

Funny, Edmunds did make it sound like they asked for it that way, but I wonder if the reality is that the dealer gave them whatever car they didn't want anymore...
 
Anyway, I do know a good amount of people who just don't prefer leather as a matter of personal taste. Its not that they can't afford it, they just don't like it, which is all well and good. I'm impressed Buick offers the option, as most luxury brands make leather standard across the board.

Ya it is a free car. Gotta say something nice when GM hands you a free car. =D

If you did load it up with leather and the like, you have a vehicle that costs just shy of 45k. A loaded Acura MDX with Technology and Entertainment Packages runs 45.9k. Yes, the MDX is smaller, but in a segment like this where image is so much of a driving factor (because of the anti-minivan stigma), I would think that Acura rates a lot higher than Buick on the coolness/luxury chart. 37 thousand for a Buick with cloth seats and front wheel drive just seems too high (no matter how nice it is), considering the AWD MDX starts at 40k and a similarly equipped 2008 Highlander Sport is 34.8k.
 
I think this is another scenario where because of a brand perception issue, Buick will need to do everything as well or better than their import competition while still being good on value for the Enclave to be a homerun. Credit that to a long history of horrible products from Buick (think Century, Rendezvous, Terraza, etc.). GM can't just expect consumer's to forget about Buick's recent past by repositioning them as the pseudo-luxury brand (like Volkswagen) that they used to be.

I guess I'm an oddity; I love both the bench seat in the Toyota and the choice of cloth in our Enclave.
 
I'm just not a leather type-of-guy.

LOL @ the (pout) comment!
 
I'm confused in that it makes it sound like Edmunds purchased the vehicle but it says that the manufacturer is providing the vehicle at the very bottom.
 
How does the process work, Mike (Schmidt or Magrath) or Donna?
 
1. Does the manufacturer ask if you would like their vehicle for a year or do you ask them for if they'd be willing to supply Edmunds a LT vehicle?
2. After that, do you then select the options on the vehicle? Or do you really end up with whatever is on the vehicle the manufacturer issues?
 
Some enlightenment would be greatly appreciated.
 
Who's willing to bet 1487 will show up soon? And how much are you willing to bet?

I'll show up in his place- the Enclave is an official sales success. They are limiting production to keep demand high and incentives down. The antiquated logic of "it cost to much for a Buick" is utter non sense. Those buyers who are objective enough to buy a vehicle based on it's merits instead of out of fear of ridicule from their country club buddies are enjoying one of GM's best efforts in recent memory. GM was wise to create it's own niche in the crossover craze by offering a lot more size for the same amount of money.
 
The MDX may wow with all it's gadgetry but it's dash also looks like the launch station of a Peacemaker's ICBM silo. It is very tight on the inside for a 3 row SUV since Acura/Honda hates long wheelbases for some odd reason. I am 6' and GM's Lambda vehicles are the only ones that can comfortably seat me in a 3rd row position.
 
In summation, perhaps jr1m90 should poll the large number of Enclave buyers who've failed to live in the past and continuously critize GM for cars designed 20 years ago.

Hmmm, I seem to remember reading something about a year ago here on Edmunds that was making a big deal out of how Edmunds actually purchases all of their vehicles for LT testing from a dealer just like everybody else. That way they aren't getting a vehicle hand picked by the manufacturer that could have had changes made compared to a regular off the lot car.
 
I will try and find a link to it, but I bet it's gone now... The tone of the article and then the little disclaimer is kind of shady if you ask me...

For how it is equipped it does seem a bit pricey to me. I'm sure the next year will tell if it was worth the price or not.

We purchase roughly half of the vehicles in our long-term fleet. I don't remember the exact count right now, but I commented on that in a previous post. I can't think of any other magazine that purchases any. We put the disclaimer at the bottom of the text so you know which ones. We spec out the versions of the cars that we want. --Donna

by the way... i'm a cloth guy. That's why the Special edition package was so attractive for me on my legacy. it was the only way I could get the sunroof without the leather. That's a rare enclave!
 
The only thing I really cared about emunds purchasing the cars is that they usually would rate the whole buying experience which is something that everyone deals with and sometimes causes brand preference (hence Saturn being quite successful for many years with mediocre cars!) It seems like here lately there haven't been too many they have purchased though :(

Thanks, Donna! I know you mentioned the ratio of bought-to-provided vehicles in a previous post. I wasn't really asking about that. Have a great weekend! There isn't any need to lament the omission of the seat heaters too much. It's only going to be in the mid-70s to mid-80s this weekend. :o)

I criticize GM because I had the personal experience of driving a 2000 Buick Century up until this July. As a 17 year old, I wasn't enthralled with Buick.
 
Now, don't get me wrong, the Lambda crossovers are great vehicles. They cost the same or more than comparable 3 row crossovers because they provide a good deal more space and 3rd row seat room than an MDX, Pilot, Highlander, whatever. However, to me, the midsize crossover market is a fairly stupid one. Minivans have more room and cost less, wagons have less room, no third row, but are way more fun to drive and carlike, and traditional body on frame SUV's have V8 engines that make them great for towing. Where does this leave the midsize crossover? For most, it's a purely aesthetic purchase, because most people could do better with another choice of vehicle (I'll admit to throwing stones from my own glass house: my parents own a Pilot. We would have been better served by a Legacy GT Wagon or V70).
 
So look at the target demographic for the Enclave or its kin. They are likely middle aged suburban parents (the supposed import stronghold). Most of these buyers (at least the ones I know) do not think too highly of Buick. If they buy SUV's, they buy Japanese crossovers or BOF domestic ones (MDX, Tahoe, Pilot, Aviator). Buick's reputation isn't great, and I think a lot of their past products earned them that reputation. Does that mean they (and GM) aren't making good products now? Of course not, notice how I said of the Enclave, "no matter how nice it is." However, just as Toyota is not as reliable today as they were 4 years ago, what's the general consumer perception of Toyotas?
 
I really like the Enclave and its siblings for what they are. However, I hate what they are (I'm not a crossover person if you haven't noticed). As such, my point was that for those who are in the market for a midsize crossover, practicality matters less than image. And IMHO, if you were to ask the average suburban family to choose between a Buick and an Acura, the response probably would be, "ewwww, but it's a BUICK." Not a smart move as far as practicality goes, but hey, since when has the average consumer made smart decisions? And to those who did buy an Enclave (especially if you can seriously justify a crossover), I say congratulations. You have made a smarter move than most of your compatriots.

jr1m90, I see what you're saying, and I think that's the whole point of the Enclave. It is a perception changer. It is what makes people stop thinking of Buick as boring and bland. It has style and elegance. Acuras seem more sporty and techy, whereas this seems sophisticated and elegant. Totally different styles for totally different tastes. If you have a more sophisticated and elegant taste, the Enclave will grab your attention, and suddenly you're considering a Buick. That's the key that GM is banking on. I'll agree that the pricing may be a little too high to offer it an advantage, but at the same time many people using pricing as a quality gauge, rightly or wrongly, so that may in fact help it. If it was too inexpensive, some people would outright dismiss it as a cheap car perhaps.

The Peacekeeper missile was retired about 2 years ago. Inasmuch, we have a lot of former PK guys stationed up here. The LCCs (Launch Control Centers) were very spacious (though incredibly arcane). I don't see Acuras as having that type of description. Perhaps you wanted to compare it to a Minuteman LCC (where I work), then that comment might have credence (MM LCCs are characterized by a hodgepodge of new and old equipment and a very cramped work station).

Although the MDX and the Enclave are bascially in the same segment I dont see them as direct competitors as they go for a completely different customer base. Acura says it wants to compete with the X5 and Cayenne which it does as they are sporty in nature.
 
If youve driven an MDX Sport then you know why as its probably MUCH MORE sporty than the Enclave which really wasnt made with sport in mind and thats not a bad thing, especially for the Buick fan base.
 
Buick made it know that they want to be considered a worthy competitor to Lexus and thats just what the Enclave is. I do think its possible if buyers can get passed the "Buick" name itself. Buick still has work to do especially with its cars but the Enclave gives me the impression that Buick is moving in the right direction.

I agree that the MDX and Enclave are not true competitors. My point was that in the aesthetics based market that these two cars both compete in, sportiness or the perception of sportiness is a much bigger draw than the amount of space behind the third row seat (I'd venture to say that a lot of buyers don't even sit in the third row seats before buying the car). The Buick is a very good car. It's saddled with, unfortunately, a reputation that precedes its conception.
 
I'm sure that the Enclave is positioned as a perception changer, but perceptions don't change overnight.

I think it's great you can get it without leather. They do smell nice but aside from that I don't like them. You freeze your butt in the winter (cloth seats don't need seat heaters :)) and your back gets sweaty in the summer. You slide around in them if you try to drive quickly and far too many of them resemble vinyl more then leather.
 
And for all these "benefits", they charge you an extra grand or two more.
 
It's always annoyed me that in order to get worthwhile options like the top sound system, a sunroof or the optional engine you must take leather seats.

Awesome, I was hoping one of the Lambda SUVs would be obtained as a long term vehicle. I do admit I'm surprised that you guys didnt get leather as a luxury vehicle to most people seems incomplete without it. Personally I would have done the same, leather is too slippery for me and it just dont feel as comfortable as cloth.
 
I'm hoping for some comparisons with the Q7 in the future. I'm betting the Enclave will kicks its butt in cargo hauling and comfort, but the Audi will win in features and all, as it should.
 
As a side not, I wish that the Enclave has body colored bumpers, the black plastic on the bottom looks lame.

I think it's great that you can get cloth seats with the middle row buckets. That makes the third row much more accessible, and yes, many folks still have more than two kids and need the third row every day. Our Yukon XL came with middle row buckets only if you get leather and a bunch of other stuff we didn't really need.
 
It's ridiculous that the buckets cost more than the bench... but at least it's an option with cloth.
 
Now if only they would make the Suburban with front row bench, middle row buckets, and all cloth... why can't these things be stand alone options, at least as a special order?

Personally, I dislike cloth seats. My mom has an '04 Accord with leather and my dad has an '05 Mustang with leather, and it's a treat to sit on their leather. My dad also has a '91 Camry for his second job, and it has cloth seats, and I just hate riding in it.
But that's just me.

Carfreak; it probably has something to do with the Camry surrounding the cloth seats.

lol.
i figured someone would mention that.
but still, i am not a fan of cloth seats.
ha ha.

I was going to say something too but my daily driver (aka beater) right now is a 91 Legacy (with cloth seats too). I guess I could make a Camry joke but nothing original comes to mind :)

jrm:
 
You need to check the sales charts. The Enclave is outselling the cheaper Outlook by almost 2:1 and is gaining on established players like the MDX. The reviews have been positive and the styling of the vehicle is very upscalde. The Enclave is not expensive compared to the MDX, ML350 or RX350. Its far cheaper as a base model and is cheaper fully loaded. This from a vehicle that looks better and has more room. Buick HAD a reputation for making fine luxury vehicles long before your time and way before Lexus was even thought of. MAny people have been waiting for Buick to make vehicles worthy of the badge and now that is happening. Vehicles like the Lucerne and discontinued Park Ave Ultra cost over $40k fully loaded so the Enclave isnt even breaking new price ground for the brand. I'm not even 30 yet and I would drive an Enclave if I could afford one and needed the space. I have a friend who is an Acura owner who was smitten with the looks of the vehicle and was seriously interested in purchasing one.