Buick Enclave
Encyclopedia
The Buick
Enclave
is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick
division of General Motors
. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia
, Chevrolet Traverse
, and Saturn Outlook
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
.
The Enclave shares powertrains with its Lambda siblings. For its first year of production, the Enclave was powered by a 275 hp 3.6 L
High Feature V6 engine
mated to a six-speed automatic transmission
. For the 2009 model, a 3.6 L V6 Direct Injection Spark Ignition VVT with 286 hp and 255 ft.lbf. 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 miles per US gallon/24 miles per US gallon for FWD models and 16 miles per US gallon/22 miles per US gallon 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 2012 Buick Enclave still has the 3.6L V6 and 6-Speed Automatic transmission,but the horse power is now up to 288 with the torque coming in at 270ft. lbs.
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 5000 pounds (2,268 kg) with all-wheel-drive.
Initial sales of the Enclave have been very strong, with demand far exceeding production capacity, forcing GM to add a third shift to the Delta Township plant.
Consumer Reports
gave the Enclave an average reliability rating in its 2009-2010 survey and designated it as "recommended."
's Buick network.
The Buick brand has been relaunched in Mexico for the 2010 model year, bringing the Enclave to that market.
in 2008.
Buick
Buick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
Enclave
Enclave (disambiguation)
An enclave is a country, or part of, which is surrounded by territories belonging to another country. See Enclave and exclave.Enclave may also refer to:* Buick Enclave, car* Civil enclave* The Enclave, movie...
is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick
Buick
Buick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
division of General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a full-size crossover SUV from GM. The GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook share the new GM Lambda platform. The Acadia went on sale in the United States in December 2006, and in Canada in January, 2007...
, Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a seven/eight seat full-size crossover SUV built on the GM Lambda platform that underpins the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. It is a successor to both the Uplander minivan and Trailblazer SUV...
, and Saturn Outlook
Saturn Outlook
The Saturn Outlook is a crossover SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show, and is based on the new GM Lambda platform, which it shares with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia...
all share the GM Lambda platform
GM Lambda platform
Lambda is General Motors' full-size crossover SUV automobile platform. It is largely derived from the GM Epsilon platform, which underlies the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and similar models....
. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
, officially as a concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the Buick Centieme
Buick Centieme
The Buick Centieme is a concept car that was produced for the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit by the Buick Division of General Motors...
concept shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.
The Enclave replaced both of Buick's SUVs, the minivan-based Rendezvous
Buick Rendezvous
The Buick Rendezvous, introduced in the spring of 2001 as a 2002 model year vehicle, was a Mid-size crossover SUV that was sold by the Buick division of General Motors for the 2002-2007 model years.-Background:...
and the truck-based Rainier
Buick Rainier
The Buick Rainier was a mid-size SUV sold by the Buick division of General Motors. Introduced for 2004 to replace the Oldsmobile Bravada, the Rainier was the first truck sold under the Buick marque since the 1920s, and was the first body-on-frame...
, as well as the Terraza
Buick Terraza
The Buick Terraza is a minivan from General Motors' Buick brand that was sold from the 2005 through 2007 model years. It filled the position of GM's luxury minivan that was previously occupied by the Oldsmobile Silhouette until the division's demise in 2004...
minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
.
Features
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 3.6 L
Litér
- External links :*...
High Feature V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
mated to a six-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. For the 2009 model, a 3.6 L V6 Direct Injection Spark Ignition VVT with 286 hp and 255 ft.lbf. 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 miles per US gallon/24 miles per US gallon for FWD models and 16 miles per US gallon/22 miles per US gallon for AWD models, according to the new United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
estimates. The Lambda vehicles are built at GM
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
's new Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in 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 2012 Buick Enclave still has the 3.6L V6 and 6-Speed Automatic transmission,but the horse power is now up to 288 with the torque coming in at 270ft. lbs.
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
Body-on-frame
Body-on-frame is an automobile construction method. Mounting a separate body to a rigid frame that supports the drivetrain was the original method of building automobiles, and its use continues to this day. The original frames were made of wood , but steel ladder frames became common in the 1930s...
. 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 5000 pounds (2,268 kg) with all-wheel-drive.
Initial sales of the Enclave have been very strong, with demand far exceeding production capacity, forcing GM to add a third shift to the Delta Township plant.
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
gave the Enclave an average reliability rating in its 2009-2010 survey and designated it as "recommended."
Sales in the United States
| Calendar year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 29,286 |
| 2008 | 44,706 |
| 2009 | 43,150 |
| 2010 | 55,426 |
Markets
Sales in the United States and Canada began in 2007 during the 2008 model year. In 2008, General Motors began exporting the Enclave to China, to be sold through Shanghai GMShanghai GM
Shanghai General Motors Company Ltd. is a joint venture between General Motors Company and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation that manufactures and sells Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac brand automobiles in mainland China. Shanghai GM was founded on June 12, 1997 with 50% investment each...
's Buick network.
The Buick brand has been relaunched in Mexico for the 2010 model year, bringing the Enclave to that market.
Awards
The Enclave received the Best New SUV / CUV (over C$60,000) from the AJACAjac
Ajac is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.-History:The village of Ajac was given the name of the local count.The local duke who was accused and hunted by the locals for accused treason against the king when in to hiding. And the duke went into hiding. The duke was allowed to...
in 2008.
External links
- Official US site
- www.enclaveforum.net The largest dedicated Enclave Forum on the web