Best Car Models & All About Cars: BUICK 2012 ENCLAVE

BUICK 2012 ENCLAVE

What's New for 2012

Different than receiving some minor feature changes, the Buick Enclave carries over unchanged for 2012.

Introduction

The family hauler has modified a heap over the years, with wagons creating means for minivans and then truck-primarily based SUVs. Today, crossovers have largely melded the attributes of the latter two, with some wagon bits sometimes thrown in for sensible live. One of the simplest of these fashionable family haulers is that the 2012 Buick Enclave, a large crossover that boasts a refined ride and an monumental cabin that may fit up to eight adults.

The Enclave rides on the same unibody platform because the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. To help distinguish it as the most premium model in the cluster, the Enclave has sleeker exterior styling and the foremost luxurious interior. Different traits are equally shared but are still quite positive, as well as a strong V6, a comfortable and quiet ride and huge cargo capability.

As with its cousins, though, the Enclave does have some weaknesses, the most notable being its massive size that makes maneuvering in tight quarters a challenge. Some prospective consumers may conjointly have a onerous time obtaining past the Buick brand's stodgy image, though the Enclave is fashionable enough in each design and execution to create this a non-issue for anyone willing to guage the vehicle on its own merits.

Whereas the 2012 Buick Enclave remains a very appealing alternative in a crowded phase, there are some other crossover models we'd urge consumers to possess a have a look at. These embody luxury brand competitors just like the Acura MDX, Lexus RX 350 and Lincoln MKT. Upper trim levels of some mainstream models like the Ford Flex and Toyota Highlander also are nice enough within to form them worthy of consideration. And for sheer practicality, there is just no beating modern minivans just like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Overall, though, the Buick Enclave stands out as a solid pick for an expensive family hauler.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Buick Enclave is a large crossover SUV that's offered in four completely different trim levels. All have a customary seven-passenger seating configuration via second-row captain's chairs and a 3rd-row bench seat. An optional second-row bench seat, obtainable at no extra charge, increases capacity to eight.

Even the bottom model is nicely equipped with 19-in. alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, foglamps, a power liftgate, heated outside mirrors, tri-zone automatic climate control and cloth upholstery. Other commonplace options embody partial power front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping leather/wood steering wheel, keyless entry, cruise management, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, OnStar and a six-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.

Stepping up to the Convenience Cluster trim level adds remote beginning, rear parking assist and a rearview camera. The Leather Group tacks on leather upholstery, heated power front seats (eight-method driver, four-approach passenger) and driver memory settings.

The top-of-the-line Premium Cluster has the higher than equipment and nineteen-in. chrome wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, heated power-folding outside mirrors with built-in turn signal repeaters, heated and ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, a one hundred fifteen-volt household-vogue power outlet and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system with USB/auxiliary audio input jacks and a pair of rear seat headphone jacks.

Major choices vary by trim level and include twenty-inch chrome alloy wheels, a twin-pane sunroof, the second-row bench seat and a second-row center console. Electronics upgrades embody the ten-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system, a rear-seat entertainment system and a navigation system.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2012 Buick Enclave is obtainable with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Either manner, it's powered by a three.half-dozen-liter V6 that pumps out twenty eight8 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is customary. With the optional trailering package, the Enclave will tow up to 4,500 pounds.

EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 17 mpg city/twenty four mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models, while all-wheel-drive versions rate 16/twenty two/eighteen.

Safety

Stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length aspect curtain airbags are standard on each 2012 Buick Enclave. In brake testing, the Enclave came to a stop from 60 mph in 139 feet, a longish distance for this category of car.

In government crash testing, the Enclave earned a top 5-star rating for overall performance, with four out of five stars given for front-impact protection and 5 stars for aspect-impact protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Enclave earned the most effective score of "Sensible" in both frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.

Interior Style and Special Options

Whereas the first things you are likely to notice regarding the Enclave's interior are its stylish style and quality materials, these superficial elements are simply the start. The ability to comfortably transport up to eight passengers with the obtainable second-row bench seat is something not all crossovers can claim. Even the third-row seats are suitable for adult passengers. If carrying a full load of grown-ups is one thing you expect to be doing a ton of, but, we tend to should point out that there is a small amount less area back here than within the Ford Flex's third row.

With or without passengers there's a sensible quantity of cargo space here further, including nineteen cubic feet of usable area behind the sixty/forty-split third-row seat. For bulky things, folding down the second and third-row seats creates a nice flat load floor with 116 cubic feet of cargo space, a number that handily beats several crossovers but falls in need of the large carrying capability of modern minivans.

Downsides here embody chrome trim which will cause blinding reflections on a sunny day and audio and climate management buttons that are a bit on the tiny facet. Outward visibility to the rear quarters is additionally relatively poor.

Driving Impressions

Whereas it's hard to explain any 2-ton vehicle as lightweight on its feet, the 2012 Buick Enclave feels decidedly less truck-ish than traditional SUVs. Other giant crossovers feel a lot of nimble, but overall the Enclave's handling inspires confidence. The suspension conjointly earns high marks for ride comfort.

The three.vi-liter V6 provides smart acceleration in a very wide range of driving conditions. This performance, combined with the Enclave's hushed cabin, makes this a fine choice for daily driving, long road journeys and everything in between.

BUICK 2012 ENCLAVE