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The last holdout of GM’s mid-size SUV trilogy finally gets a comprehensive makeover
by Josh Byrnes
February 10, 2024 at 13:29
Buick had a pretty awesome year in 2023, with sales surging by an impressive 61 percent over 2022, totaling 167,030 vehicles. This achievement positioned Buick as GM’s third-best performer for the year, outpacing Cadillac by nearly 20,000 units. Despite the Enclave’s respectable sales growth of 29.1 percent from 2022 to 2023, GM recognizes the need to refresh the mid-size SUV to maintain momentum.
In January, GM offered a glimpse of the future with the release of design sketches for the upcoming 2025 Buick Enclave, prompting us to take an illustrated preview of what the three-row SUV will look like and explore everything we know to date.
Wildcat Looks
Channeling inspiration from Buick’s Wildcat EV concept, the 2025 Enclave boasts a commanding presence with an assertive, powerful stance. The front features a shark-nosed design characterized by slim chrome fangs, thin upper Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), and a distinctive trapezoidal grille flanked by triangular side intakes housing the main headlamps.
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Somewhat sharing key glasshouse elements with the new GMC Acadia, the Enclave embraces a handsome two-box shape with a relatively upright tailgate and solid proportions. Deeply sculptured lower doors, a thin rear LED lightbar, and impressive 22-inch machined aluminum wheels complete its striking exterior.
A Premium Outlook
Stretching longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, the Enclave offers an enhanced sense of passenger spaciousness. Its extended third-row seating configuration accommodates seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, and promises comfort for all.
Inside, we hear that the new Enclave will up the tech count with a mammoth curved digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen. It will also be available with Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance covering over 400,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada and ensuring a safe and convenient driving experience.
The interior tech will also include customizable touchscreen displays, Google built-in compatibility with various apps, an available high-contrast display with up to nine camera views for enhanced visibility, a pillar-to-pillar sunroof, and a premium 16-speaker Bose sound system.
Four Is The New Six
Under the hood, the 2025 Buick Enclave is expected to swap out the current 3.6-liter V6 that delivers 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of peak torque for a potent new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, also found in the GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse. Despite having two fewer cylinders, this engine is more potent delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, thanks to forced induction. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it promises more dynamic performance.
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With a focus on trailering capability, the Enclave should mirror the Acadia, achieving a max towing rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
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Rivals and Reveal
Buick has long tried to balance between mainstream and luxury, a stance that continues with the 2025 Enclave. This positions it to compete not only with direct rivals like the Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, and Lincoln Aviator but also inhabit both categories. Depending on the trim, its pricing puts it in proximity to base variants of more refined European mid-size SUVs, while also rivaling higher-end versions of more mainstream models like the Kia Telluride and Toyota’s Grand Highlander.
While pricing details are not yet available, we suspect that the 2025 Enclave will follow the industry trend of rising prices. This suggests that the base model could start above the current $45,000 entry point, with the top-end Avenir trim potentially exceeding the $60,000 mark.
A specific unveiling date remains undisclosed, but it’s highly anticipated that an official debut will occur in the coming months, given the release of the first teasers. A market launch is likely to follow in the second half of the year.
Do you think the Enclave will continue to be a home run? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Note: The illustrations in this story are not officially sanctioned by Buick.
