This is the 2025 Buick Enclave, which has been revamped for this model year, featuring three rows, enhanced luxury, and a completely new powertrain to take the place of the old V6.
Buicks typically offer a more premium option compared to what you’d see in a Chevrolet dealership, but they still lack the flashiness to compete with Cadillac’s upscale vibe. This sleek new Buick Enclave is entering its third generation for 2025.
Exterior
Compared to the earlier model, the updated mid-size three-row Enclave embraces a more traditional and typical SUV look. It’s not only bigger and boxier than the last version; the weird front end of the old model has been replaced with a sleek front that takes cues from Buick’s Wildcat concept.
The design showcases sharp LED highlights above the actual headlights, along with a big trapezoidal grille that features distinct mesh designs for each of the Enclave’s three trims: Preferred, Sport Touring (ST), and Avenir. Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of this design.
The biggest Buick now includes a standard power liftgate that opens automatically when you’re close by, as long as you have the key in your pocket and wait for three beeps before it opens up. It works in most scenarios unless you park in your garage like I do and have to walk around the back of the vehicle to get in the driver’s side. Every time I did that, the rear tailgate would open.
Wheels and Tires
This ST trim comes with 20-inch wheels sporting 255/55 tires and uses standard passive dampers. According to Buick, these dampers offer improved ride isolation compared to last year’s basic setup, although they aren’t as advanced as the upgraded adaptive units found in the top trim Avenir.
Under The Hood
The latest Enclave comes with the same powertrain as the Traverse and GMC Acadia. They all feature GM’s new turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This turbo four takes the place of the previous 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6 that was mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Now, it’s equipped with an eight-speed automatic that distributes power to all four wheels.
The suspension consists of MacPherson struts in the front and a five-link arrangement in the rear. It can go from 0 to 60 in about 7.5 seconds, which isn’t particularly quick. You can expect around 24 mpg on the highway.
Driving
The powertrain is punchy; however, the long-travel gas pedal means you have to put your foot all the way down to get going. On partial throttle, the engine and transmission are somewhat lazy, and I feel Buick has done this on purpose to preserve fuel economy. The fact that the engine’s torque doesn’t kick in until 3,500 rpm is also a factor, and it causes some jerkiness around town. This, paired with the 2.5-liter four’s buzzy engine sound, and you get a Buick that’s not quite as refined as it should be.
Things get a lot better when you start moving; the steering feels light and responsive, and the handling, along with traction, is really solid. The engine provides a nice boost in acceleration, and if you switch to Sport mode, it can handle some canyon carving. Things do become a bit more precise, but if you keep it in FWD mode, you might experience some understeer. So, if you’re planning to have a bit of fun, I’d recommend switching to AWD.
The brakes are powerful, and the fuel efficiency has gotten better compared to the previous V6 engine. The front-wheel-drive version’s EPA combined rating increases from 21 to 23 mpg, while the all-wheel-drive versions improve from 20 to 21 mpg. I ended up averaging 20.2 mpg overall.
Interior
I really like the Enclave’s interior; it’s well-appointed, even in the lower trims, the materials are nice, and the dash is dominated by a curved 30-inch display. Only the center section operates as a touchscreen, but the GM software works fast, and for the most part, it’s logical to navigate. I do object to the fact that Buick hides the headlight “switch” in their infotainment system.
The seating is made of perforated faux leather and is both soft and sturdy, and the fronts provide good bolstering and support. They are fully powered and have memory settings as well as heating.
The captain’s chairs in the second row can be adjusted to ensure that the third row is comfy for adults, but they are not for tall or larger folks. Other nice features include the 16-speaker Bose sound system with its stylish speaker grilles.
The optional Super Cruise is awesome for interstates and highways. When the road is mapped out, you just set your speed, kick back, and chill, but you still need to keep an eye on the road, and Super Cruise can even switch lanes for you. It performs really well on clearly marked straight paths or two-lane roads with gentle curves.
Cargo Space
The 2025 Buick Enclave offers a maximum cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. With just the third row folded, it provides 57.1 cubic feet, and with all seats upright, there’s 23.6 cubic feet of space.
Pricing
The base price for an ST is $47,400, Super Cruise is available on this one for $3,255, and the Enclave is the first Buick to offer it. It’s arguably the best one out there right now, with great lane-centering behavior and natural reactions in stop-and-go traffic. AWD is an additional $2,000, and the $1,750 power package includes a head-up display, power-folding rear seats, and a universal home remote. The sunroof is $1,500, and this Moonstone Gray is $495. Add it all up, and the total price is $57,758.
Safety Features
The 2025 Enclave launches with an expansive suite of standard safety and driver assist technologies, including several new standard safety features for 2025, which include Blind Zone Steering Assist, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keep Assist, and Departure Warning.
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Verdict
To sum it up, I really appreciate the upgrades to the 2025 Buick Enclave. The fit and finish are great, and I feel the same way about the technology; we just need more easily accessible physical controls. The turbocharged engine needs some refining, but other than that, it’s a solid effort.
2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring Numbers
BASE PRICE: $47,400
PRICE AS TESTED: $57,785
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, AWD, 7-passenger, 4-door SUV
ENGINE: 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4,
POWER: 328 hp @ 5,500 rpm
TORQUE: 326 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 4,750 lb
0-60 MPH: 7.5 seconds
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 24/19/21 mpg
OUR OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY 20.2 mpg
CARGO SPACE: 23 cubic feet behind the 3rd row, 57.1 cubic feet behind the 2nd row, and 97.5 cubic feet with rear seats flat
PROS: On-road refinement, great pricing, nice interior even in lower trims
CONS: Buzzy four makes for a noisy cabin, long travel gas pedal
