AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY – APRIL 11, 2008 – THE BUICK ENCLAVE IS INTRODUCED
The Buick Enclave is a mid-size crossover SUV launched in 2008. The Enclave, the GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, officially as a concept car, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the Buick Centieme concept shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.
The Enclave replaced both of Buick's SUVs, the minivan-based Rendezvous and the truck-based Rainier, as well as the Terraza minivan. As of February 2014, the 2014 Enclave was the top-ranked Affordable Midsize SUV in U.S. News & World Report's rankings. The second-generation Enclave was officially revealed at the 2017 New York Auto Show in New York, New York.
The Enclave has seating for seven passengers, with an optional second row bench seat instead of the standard two captain chairs which increases the seating to eight. It comes standard with front-wheel drive with an option of all-wheel drive.
The Enclave shares powertrains with its Lambda siblings. For its first year of production, the Enclave was powered by a 275 hp (205 kW) 3.6 L High Feature V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. For the 2009 model, an upgraded power boost for the 3.6 L V6 Direct Injection Spark Ignition VVT is now at 288 hp (215 kW) and 270 lb?ft (366 N?m) of torque standard (also standard on other 2009 Lambdas). The latter direct-injection engine offers a broader torque curve, and brings fuel economy to 17 mpg?US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg?imp)/24 mpg?US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg?imp) for FWD models and 16 mpg?US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg?imp)/22 mpg?US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg?imp) for AWD models, according to the new United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The Lambda vehicles are built at GM's new Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing, Michigan, and production of the Enclave commenced on April 11, 2007, with the first vehicles reaching certain dealers by the end of the month. The Enclave debuted with a starting price of $32,790.
The Enclave is often praised for its subsequently vast cargo space while maintaining the relatively dynamic nature of unibody construction over the conventional body-on-frame. It is also praised for being one of the quietest vehicles available for sale in the United States, as well as for the quality of the interior.
In its first year of production, the Enclave was often criticized for its 6-speed transmission, which was "hesitant to downshift." For 2009, though, the powertrain is regarded as more competent with more abundant torque. For its entire production, it has been regarded as too heavy, weighing nearly 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) with all-wheel-drive. Buick's VentiPorts have reappeared at the Enclave's introduction, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to 1949.
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