2008 Buick Enclave

Buick Enclave: Welcome back, GM

Wed, Sep 5th 2007

At the corner diner where I often eat breakfast, the regulars and staff have a keen interest in the test vehicles I drive every week. (Part of this is shop talk, since the diner's on the edge of one of my city's top car-dealer boulevards.)

When I parked the Enclave, Buick's all-new 2008 crossover, in front of the diner, two of the waitresses hustled out to take a closer look. They loved what they saw, but then one of them shook her head in surprise.

Are you sure this is a Buick?" she asked. "It's gorgeous!"

Yes, welcome to General Motor's latest comeback attempt. The week after I'd driven what has to be the most pointless of GM products ever – the Hummer H3, all attitude and no cargo space – I had the Enclave, a sleek and stylish newbie with all the versatility one could ask for.

Welcome back, GM.

While it won't ever be a serious dog-hauler – it's just too nice for a pack of muddy paws – the Enclave's easy, fold-flat third-row seating makes it the roomy update of the classic American family station wagons that helped to raise a generation of baby boomers. Except that this update of the suburban workhorse is more comfortable and versatile than those wagons ever were, with oodles of add-ons and safety features.

Pack it all in, comfortably: The kids, the gear and the golden retriever. There's room for everyone, at price that's well in line with comparable offerings (starting at $33,000, although the well-equipped one I tested was a good $10,000 more). Fuel economy is a 16/24 mpg for the front-wheel-drive Enclave – again, not great but in line with others in the class.

The perfect dog car? Not for serious dog-park addicts. But there's so much to like about the new Enclave that if your dog is part of your family's life – as opposed to the center of your universe – you need to check out this versatile winner.

-- Gina Spadafori

Carguy Comments:The Buick Enclave is available in CX and CXL trim levels, both powered by 275-horsepower V-6 engine and available in either front- or all-wheel drive. The Enclave is the most fuel efficient eight-passenger SUV on the road, averaging 16 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway for front-wheel-drive models. Cargo space is 115.1 cubic feet when all rear seats are folded -- that’s more maximum cargo volume than the Lexus RX350 (84.7 cu. ft.), '08 Volvo XC90 (85.1 cu. ft.), '08 Audi Q7 (71.8 cu. ft.) and '08 Acura MDX (83.5 cu. ft.) -- when all rear seats are folded, and features a pull-out tray that reveals a deep space of more than 60 cubic inches for storing items such as bottled water or small purse. Towing capacity for the Enclave is 4,500 pounds when properly equipped.

-- Keith Turner, The Family Car

Buick Enclave: Style and substance

Barking Lot Banter: The 2008 Buick Enclave signals a resurgence in the General Motors lineup that forever was reserved for grandparents and traveling salesmen. With a streamline style and tons of versatility, the Enclave may not be the perfect dog car for everyone, but families with dogs will surely enjoy it.