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Quick Spin: 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir

2018 Buick Enclave Avenir
2018 Buick Enclave Avenir in Dark Slate Metallic

2018 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD

Class: Premium Midsize Crossover

Miles driven: 210

Fuel used: 12.0 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 17.5 mpg

CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA
Power and PerformanceB
Fit and FinishA-
Fuel EconomyB-
ValueB-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big GuyA
Tall GuyA
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/25/20 (city, highway, combined)

Base price: $55,715 (not including $975 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Avenir Technology Package ($2095), Trailering Equipment ($650)

Price as tested: $59,435

 

Quick Hits

The great: Excellent passenger and cargo room, good road manners for a large vehicle

The good: Nicely finished interior

The not so good: Avenir trim level pricey for the content

More Enclave price and availability information

 

CG Says:

Buick first rolled out the Avenir name on a 2016 concept car, then used it to christen a new top-line sub-brand (similar to GMC’s Denali trim levels) for 2017. The redesigned-for-2017 LaCrosse large sedan was the first Buick to be offered in Avenir trim, and the second is the redesigned-for-2018 Enclave three-row midsize crossover. (And, Buick recently announced that the new-for-2018 Regal Sportback hatchback sedan is slated to get the Avenir treatment for 2019.)

Per Buick, the majority of Enclave sold during the 2017 model year were high-end models. The new-for-2018 Avenir gives shoppers a new top-line trim level to consider.

For 2018, the Enclave lineup ascends through base ($40,990), Essence ($42,995), Premium ($49,095), and Avenir ($54,495) models. All-wheel drive is available on all except the base vehicle; the Essence model gets a $2000 single-clutch AWD system, while Premium and Avenir models step up to a more-sophisticated $2300 dual-clutch system.

What is Avenir? Meet Buick’s New Flagship Sub-Brand

Enclave’s cabin is among the roomiest in the midsize crossover class, and the Avenir trim level adds a number of exclusive touches. Buick has announced that a heated steering wheel will join the list of available features for 2019.

Earlier this year, we tested an all-wheel-drive 2018 Enclave Premium; you can check out that review for our impressions of the redesigned 2018 Enclave as a whole. Here, we’ll focus specifically on the Avenir add-ons—and there are a fair number of them.

From the outside, the Enclave Avenir stands apart via unique 20-inch alloy wheels with a pearl-nickel finish, subtle badges on the front doors, premium paint-color choices, and a mesh grille instead of the vertical-bar treatment of other models. Inside, the cabin trim is upgraded via Chestnut leather upholstery with Ebony piping and contrast stitching, embroidered headrests on the front seats, a wood-accented steering wheel, Avenir floor mats, and scripted sill plates on all four doors. Also, features that are optional on lesser Enclaves—such as a surround-view camera, dual moonroof, wireless cell-phone charging, and a navigation system—are standard equipment here.

Our test vehicle was also equipped with the optional Avenir Technology Package, which adds a handful of features that aren’t available on other Enclaves—namely, adaptive cruise control with full stop/go capability; active grille shutters that close automatically at speed to improve aerodynamics; and a “full-speed” forward automatic emergency braking system in place of the standard unit, which only works at lower speeds.

Also included in the Avenir Technology Package is a premium suspension package with continuously variable real-time damping; the system includes adaptive hardware that adjusts suspension calibration to current road conditions. We didn’t notice a marked difference in ride quality or handling agility with this adaptive suspension over the standard setup in our Premium test vehicle.

Buick Avenir Concept: What’s Classic is Future Again

Twenty-inch wheels with a pearl-nickel finish are unique to the Avenir.

Naturally, all of those goodies add substantially to the bottom line. In terms of base MSRPs, the Avenir costs a full $5400 more than a Premium. Our Enclave Premium tester was optioned up to a total price of $56,455, while this Avenir checked in at $59,435. The extra $2890 that the Avenir commanded over the Premium is primarily the cost of the Avenir Technology Package; remove that, and the difference between the two is only $235, which seems reasonable for the slightly ritzier interior trim and exterior design touches.

However, “slightly ritzier” is about all we can say for the Avenir’s exclusive trim bits—there’s nowhere near the level of distinction here that the Denali trim level brings to any GMC vehicle it’s applied to. The decision to add a new top-line trim level to the Enclave lineup was an easy one for Buick; the company reports that 90 percent of Enclave buyers opt for a high-end model. However, we wonder if Buick should have gone a little further upmarket with the Enclave Avenir, to further distinguish it from a decked-out Premium.

Essentially, the Avenir trim level is the path you have to take to get the top-line features of the extra-cost Avenir Technology Package, and it’s a shame that those extras—especially the full-feature forward automatic braking system—aren’t offered on the more-affordable models.

Price and trim level aside, Enclave is a roomy and dynamically polished crossover with ample room for passengers and cargo. Even the entry-level model is nicely finished, while upper-trim examples push the price and content level into true premium-vehicle territory. Shoppers looking for a near-luxury crossover experience will likely be well served by Enclave Avenir, but we suspect that most folks will find lesser examples of the model lineup nearly as satisfying.

Test Drive: 2019 Kia Sorento SXL

With a wheelbase of 121 inches and an overall length of 204 inches, the Enclave is among the largest crossovers in its class. The Avenir trim level brings a slightly higher level of  luxury, as well as access to some desirable optional features.

First Spin: 2019 Subaru Ascent

Buick Enclave Avenir

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