2009 Buick Enclave Review Summary & Specs
CX Sport Utility
Big crossover SUV is smooth and refined.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
With all due respect and reverence for classic Buicks like the 1956 Century, the '63 and '66 Rivieras, and the pavement-ripping GS 455 Stage II of the muscle-car era, we'll go out on a short, sturdy limb and call the Enclave the best Buick ever built, and the most complete Buick we've ever driven. If you're in the market for a luxurious family hauler, give this one a long, serious look. It makes much more sense than a heavier, more wasteful truck-based SUV for anyone who doesn't need to tow a heavy load.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw test drove the Enclave in the Ozarks. Correspondent Kirk Bell reported from Chicago.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor |
New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup |
Buick Enclave CX ($32,790); CX AWD ($34,790); CXL ($34,990); CXL AWD ($36,990) |
| Engines (standard) |
3.6-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) |
288-hp 3.6-liter V6 |
| Transmissions (optional) |
6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, ABS, EBD, tire pressure monitoring, collapsible pedals |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
all-wheel drive |
| Basic Warranty |
4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Lansing, Michigan |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-553-6000 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.gm.com/buick |
| Base Price MSRP |
$35,070 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Buick Enclave CXL AWD ($39,380) |
| Standard Equipment |
leather upholstery, heated front seats, three-zone automatic climate control with rear controls, tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, 4-way power front passenger seats, second-row captain's chairs, split-folding third-row seat, OnStar assistance, power windows, power locks, power heated mirrors with turn signals, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD stereo with XM satellite radio and an auxiliary input jack, memory for the driver's seat and mirrors, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, auto-dimming rearview mirror, compass, outside temperature indicator, power liftgate, automatic bi-xenon headlights, fog lights, roof rails, and P255/60R19 tires on alloy wheels |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Entertainment package 4 ($4045) with navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic information, rearview camera, Bose Surround Sound audio system, rear radio controls, DVD entertainment system, and 110-volt power outlet; Driver's Confidence package ($920) with rear park assist, remote engine starting, and heated washer fluid; Luxury package ($750) with power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory, power folding mirrors with driver-side auto-dimming, and steering-linked adaptive headlights; chrome alloy wheels ($1495) |
| Destination Charge |
735 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$47,325 |
| Layout |
all-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
288 @ 6300 |
| Torque |
270 @ 3400 |
| Fuel Economy |
16/22 |
| Wheelbase |
119.0 |
| Length/Width/Height |
201.5/79.0/72.5 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
7 |
| Seating Capacity |
|
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.4/57.2/41.3 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.4/57.0/36.8 |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
37.8/48.3/33.2 |
| Trunk Volume |
115.3 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
4500 |
| Front Suspension |
independent, coil-over struts, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension |
independent, H-arms, coil springs, lateral links, twin-tube shocks |
| Ground Clearance |
7.2 |
| Curb Weight |
4985 |
| Stock Tires |
P255/60R19 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity |
22.0 |