The Best Year For The Buick Enclave
You’ve got plenty of viable options if you’re looking for a reliable SUV to help fulfill your daily family-hauling duties. However, if you’re looking for a crossover SUV with up to eight passengers and an upscale interior, you’ve narrowed your choices. In this case, the Buick Enclave is worth checking out for its practicality and premium interior – giving luxury-branded rivals a run for their money.
The Buick Enclave is a car-based SUV that boasts spacious third-row seating and a plush interior. On top of that, the Enclave’s interior is also quiet and offers a soft ride, setting it apart from its mechanical sibling, the Chevy Traverse. The Enclave debuted in 2008, which means you’ve got plenty of choices if you’re buying used.
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For the best year for Buick Enclave, CoPilot picks the 2018 model year. It’s not a perfect midsize SUV, but it offers solid reliability and a good value proposition. Keep reading to learn more.
2018 Is the Best Year for Buick Enclave
When it comes to buying a used Buick Enclave, we found that the recent models were more reliable and offered better value overall. The 2018 Enclave marks the beginning of the SUV’s second generation lineup, moving it upmarket to compete with other luxury SUVs, including the Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX60, and Acura MDX.
While many people may dismiss the Enclave as a Traverse in a snazzier package, the 2018 model is a cargo-hauling champ but has smooth and agreeable road manners. In addition, the 2018 model year also offers solid reliability with not so many mechanical woes to worry about. Finally, 2018 is also a redesign year, so buyers benefit from more contemporary styling.
Choosing the best year for Buick Enclave is tricky, but the 2018 model deserves it.
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How Much is the 2018 Buick Enclave?
Prices depend on factors like mileage, trim level, location, and features. Based on the listings found on Truecar.com, the average price for a used 2018 Buick Enclave is between $20,988 to $48,900. The 2018 Enclave is available in three trim levels: Essence, Premium, and Avenir.
The base Essence Enclave offers plenty of standard features, including a seven-passenger capacity, an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Bluetooth and onboard Wi-Fi, and a few driver assistance features. You can find a 2018 Enclave with 96k miles and FWD for a low price of $21,000. Meanwhile, a lower mileage 2018 Enclave with 58k miles and AWD is available for $26,225.
Moving up the trim level, the Premium Enclave includes more advanced features like heated front and second rows, a heated steering wheel, HD Surround Vision, and rear pedestrian alert. You’ll find a good deal for a high-mileage 2018 Enclave with 120k miles and AWD for $21,900. On the other hand, a lower mileage unit with 48k miles and AWD is up for grabs for $30,698.
Finally, the top-shelf Avenir brings more high-end features such as standard navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and extensive driver assistance features. A 2018 Enclave Avenir with 102k miles and FWD is available for about $23,000. In contrast, the exact trim model with only 26k miles and AWD can be yours for $35,999.
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The Specs of the 2018 Buick Enclave
The 2018 Buick Enclave is a year where the crossover received a much-needed redesign. Thankfully, everything was changed for the better while retaining the spacious interior for people and cargo. It’s worth noting that this model also pushed the Enclave upmarket and into the luxury segment.
Under the hood of the 2018 Enclave is a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 310 horsepower and either FWD or AWD drivetrain. The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that provides a smooth-shifting experience. The combination of the added horsepower reduced weight, and a new transmission system has done wonders to improve the Enclave’s driving dynamics.
As expected, the 2018 Enclave has a roomy interior for passengers and cargo. The Enclave is a legitimate alternative to a minivan with a seating capacity of seven passengers. Furthermore, it offers the most cubic feet of storage in its class. However, while the 2018 Enclave plays in the luxury class, its interior fit and finish pale in comparison to its luxury rivals.
Regarding fuel economy, the 2018 Enclave with FWD has mpg ratings of 18/26/21 city/highway/combined, while the AWD model has 17/25/20, as per FuelEconomy.gov.
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2018 Buick Enclave Reliability and Recalls
The Buick Enclave was never known for its reliability, especially when compared to its competitors. The Enclave SUV received a 3.0 out of 5.0 rating from RepairPal, ranking pretty low at 24th out of 26 manufacturers. The Enclave also has a higher average annual cost of repairs at $720. Meanwhile, J.D. Power gave the 2018 Enclave a favorable rating of 80⁄100 for Quality & Reliability.
In CarComplaints.com, the 2018 Enclave received 57 complaints, and its most common issues are:
- Rough shifting
- Shuddering and jerking
- Brake failure
Finally, there’s no safety recall for the 2018 Buick Enclave.
2018 Buick Enclave Safety Features and Ratings
Safety-wise, the 2018 Enclave received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. Meanwhile, the IIHS didn’t award the Enclave for this year, but it scored high marks in the crashworthiness tests.
The 2018 Buick Enclave has various standard safety features, including a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and more. Advanced safety and driver-assistance features include blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control (Avenir trim exclusive), lane departure warning, etc.
Other Buick Enclave Years to Consider
Although 2018 is the best year for Buick Enclave, you may also want to check out the 2017 version since it’s more affordable (the model before going upmarket) and is still considered reliable. Besides that, all succeeding models after 2018 have earned high marks in reliability, durability, and value proposition.
For Buick Enclave models to avoid, steer clear of the 2008 and 2009-2011 models because of major mechanical problems like power steering issues and a cracked engine block.
Worst Years of the Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a midsize SUV known for its luxury and spaciousness, but some model years have many issues and complaints used car buyers should be aware of. Below are the worst years of the Buick Enclave:
2008 Buick Enclave:
- Transmission Issues: Owners reported that the transmission could fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs. Symptoms included rough shifting, slipping between gears, and in some cases, complete transmission failure.
- Power Steering Problems: The power steering system in some 2008 models was prone to leaks, which could result in difficulty steering, especially at low speeds.
- Engine Problems: Some owners experienced engine stalling or reduced power while driving.
2009 Buick Enclave:
- A/C Issues: The air conditioning system in some 2009 models was reported to fail or leak refrigerant, leading to reduced cooling efficiency or complete loss of AC functionality.
- Interior Quality: Some owners reported issues with the vehicle’s interior, such as malfunctioning electronics, trim coming off, or rattling noises.
2010 Buick Enclave:
- Engine Problems: Oil leaks and overheating were among the engine-related issues reported. Overheating, if not addressed, can lead to significant engine damage.
- Suspension Issues: Some owners experienced noises or vibrations from the suspension, indicating potential problems with the shocks, struts, or other suspension components.
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