The 2021 Enclave is a crossover SUV that is Buick’s competitor in the midsize luxury segment, currently in its second generation. However, while the Enclave received a facelift in 2020 for the Chinese market, the American version is still the same since 2018.
2021 Buick Enclave Preferred
Powertrain
Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, the only engine option available in the 2021 Enclave. The engine pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and also has a stop/start system to improve fuel economy.
Interior Features
The 2021 Enclave has a planet-sized cabin with noise-cancellation, but the quality of some of the interior material is subpar. Even though it looks great, Buick clearly held back with large amounts of (somewhat cheap-looking) plastic throughout. However, the features offered still make traveling comfortable and convenient.
Standard offerings include heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and 2-way adjustable front and rear head restraints. It also comes with a 4.2″ diagonal color Driver Information Center, an HD rear vision camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wi-fi hotspot capability, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 6 USB ports, a 6-speaker audio system, and a 6-way powered seat for the passenger while the driver gets an 8-way powered model.
It’s worth mentioning that the options aren’t anything special, and the only bit of leather is wrapping the steering wheel. Packages available are the Interior Protection Package, including all-weather floor liners, floor mats, and a cargo mat. On the other hand, the Cargo Package brings a retractable cargo shade and a vertical cargo net. Yeah, that’s it.
Safety Features
Buick seems to have taken the same road with the safety features since the Enclave only comes with Rear Park Assist, 7-airbags, ESC (with traction control), and an optional first aid kit. However, it should be noted that the 2021 Enclave did earn a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.
Numbers
The Buick Enclave Preferred (fastest model) hits 60mph from a standstill in only 5 seconds and will reach the end of the quarter-mile track in 15.1 seconds. Obviously, it’s not that impressive but, after all, if you are looking for a performance-oriented SUV, Buick might not be your best bet.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a roomy truck, the 2021 Buick Enclave is what you need. With 23.6 cubic feet of storage space, expandable to 58 cubic feet, it has one of the largest cargo capacities in the midsize SUV class. However, while being roomy enough to pack your whole family and all your camping gear, it’s not really designed to pull your heavy trailer or boat. Indeed, the 1500lbs maximum towing capacity is the lowest rating in its class.
2021 Buick Enclave Essence
Powertrain
You still get the same standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with the same 9-speed auto. The difference is that now you can have an all-wheel-drive configuration. As there’s not much of a weight difference, the only number that changes is the towing capacity, going up to 5000lbs with the Trailering package.
Interior Features
You unlock the Shale interior with Ebony interior accents. Apart from the leather seats, you get the same standard features as above but with some more options like the Bose® performance-enhanced premium 10-speaker system, sat-nav, embroidered front row headrests, and a rear-seat infotainment system with or without a DVD player.
Safety Features
Added to the safety features above, you also get Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and unlock HD Surround Vision.
2021 Buick Enclave Premium
Powertrain
The engine, and hence the specs, are the same as in the 2021 Buick Enclave Essence.
Interior Features
The Enclave Premium comes equipped with a 120-volt power outlet, an automatic heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats, powered 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seats, and a power tilt and telescoping steering column. The front seats are ventilated and have a 4-way powered lumbar adjustment. You also get the Memory Package, which recalls 2 driver presets for the powered seat, outside mirrors, and the steering column.
Safety Features
You’ll finally get the safety features you deserve with the Enclave Premium. These include Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Front and Rear Park Assist, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, as standard.
2021 Buick Enclave Avenir
Powertrain
The engine options, and the specs, do not change.
Interior Features
The 2021 Buick Enclave Avenir is more of a statement than a trim, as it comes standard with the “Avenir Content Package,” which includes a unique Chestnut/Ebony or Ebony interior color, including seat stitching and piping.
Furthermore, the Avenir trim comes with neatly embroidered headrests and floor mats, premium film decor accents, a real wood-accented steering wheel, the 8-inch diagonal Buick Infotainment with Navigation, wireless charging, a powered dual moonroof with a fixed rear skylight, and an 8-inch reconfigurable Driver Info Center with navigation.
Safety Features
The Enclave Avenir comes with all the safety equipment from the Enclave Premium as standard, plus a rear camera mirror with a washer system and HD Surround Vision.
Pricing
The 2021 Buick Enclave will not be kind to your wallet as the Enclave Preferred’s starting price will set you back $41,195. Add exactly $2k more, and you’ll get the 2021 Enclave Essence FWD or $4k more to get it in AWD. Then follows the Enclave Premium, which starts at $49,595, and the AWD one costs $51,795. Finally, the Enclave Avenir costs $54,995, or $57,195 with AWD.
The Limited warranty covers 4 years/50,000 miles, and the Powertrain warranty covers 6 years/70,000 miles, with complimentary maintenance for the first visit.
Colors and Exterior
The 2021 Buick Enclave’s available exterior colors are Satin Steel Metallic, Ebony Twilight Metallic, Quicksilver Metallic, Red Quartz Tintcoat, and White Frost Tricoat. The basic color is Summit White. With the Enclave Avenir, you can get Dark Slate Metallic or Rich Garnet Metallic.
The Enclave has roof-mounted rails, body-colored door handles, LED DRLs, and a rear spoiler. You also get 18-inch painted Aluminum wheels as standard for the first 3 trims, upgradable to 20-inch ones. The Luxury package can add a chrome surround grille with a black mesh insert and body-painted molded assist steps.
With the Buick Enclave Avenir, you also get unique upper and lower grilles, wheels and front door badging, and a premium suspension with improved damping.
Verdict
The 2021 Buick Enclave is a good-looking SUV with a reasonable amount of standard tech. Moreover, it offers plenty of space and practicality. Reviewers say that it is insanely quick and remarkably comfortable.
However, Buick has not done justice to the Enclave, saving more money than it should have. The cabin sure looks nice, but it is not plush like other SUVs with similar price tags. Another con is the lack of safety equipment in the base model.
If you plan on getting a 2021 Enclave, then the Essence trim should cut the most favorable deal in terms of money and specs. Or, you could wait a few months until the facelifted 2022 Buick Enclave arrives.
Specifications
| Body Style(s) | Sport Utility Vehicle |
| Engine | |
| Engine Code | LFY |
| Engine(s) | Gas V6 |
| Displacement | 3.6L/-TBD- |
| Horsepower @ RPM | 310 @ 6800 |
| Torque @ RPM | 266 @ 2800 |
| Fuel Injection | Direct Injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Transmission(s) | 9-Speed Auto |
| Drive Wheels | FWD, AWD |
| Fuel Economy | |
| Fuel Economy – City | 18 MPG |
| Fuel Economy – Hwy | 26 MPG |
| Fuel Economy – Combined | 21 MPG |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 120.9 |
| Length (in.) | 204.3 |
| Width (in.) | 78.8 |
| Height (in.) | 69.9 |
| Passenger volume (cu.ft.) | 157.3 |
| Cargo volume (cu.ft.) | 58 |
| Curb weight (lbs) | 4469 |
| Suspension | |
| Front | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear | 5-Link |
Gallery
