Can Tiger Woods help this new SUV beat the MDX?

Tiger Woods Debuts New Buick Crossover By Driving Through A 35-Ft Video Wall

LOS ANGELES – Tiger Woods, the world’s top-ranked professional golfer, took a different approach to his drive today. He literally drove Buick’s newest product, the 2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV, through a large 35-ft. video wall with GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner passenger side.

Wagoner and Woods introduced the all-new Enclave to a standing-room only crowd of media and Buick dealers at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, one of the world’s most prestigious art and design schools. This is the first time Buick has partnered with Woods for a vehicle world introduction. Buick has enjoyed a long partnership with Woods as a product endorser since 2000.

“The new Buick Enclave is just beautiful to look at inside and out,” said Tiger Woods. “The interior is so comfortable and there’s plenty of room for my sticks. I’m really excited for Buick and what the all-new Enclave means for the division and GM.”

The Enclave is Buick’s first luxury crossover SUV. It is built on an all-new crossover architecture and motivated by one of GM’s most powerful V-6 engines ever.

The Enclave creates its own niche in the fast-growing crossover market by melding elegant interior and exterior design and a confident ride in a quiet, well-crafted roomy cabin capable of carrying up to eight passengers with space for gear. It arrives in dealer showrooms next summer.

Available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, Enclave employs a new 275-horsepower V-6 powertrain with variable valve timing (VVT) that is mated to Buick’s first six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L V-6 VVT is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine that uses full four-cam phasing, rapid data processing and torque-based engine management to optimize power, economy and emissions performance.

A host of innovative features that are uncommon or unavailable in competitors’ vehicles add to the Enclave’s standout status in the segment, including a second-row seat console that unfolds to contribute to a flat load floor when the seats are folded.

“Enclave is the new face of Buick and everything we want in future Buicks,” said Buick General Manager Steve Shannon. “It’s an absolutely stunning, high-quality crossover SUV that delivers all the product attributes that define the new Buick: a confident ride, relevant technologies, more luxury features, elegant design and a quiet, comfortable and well-crafted interior. These are the hallmark traits of future Buicks.”

Peace-of-mind features such as Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist and a rear back-up camera, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation are also available.

The Buick Enclave is the last of three new crossovers to be introduced this year from General Motors. Crossover entries accounted for about 2.5 million industry sales in 2005 and the segment is projected to grow to 3.5 million units by 2010. GM currently has seven entries in this segment – Chevy Equinox and HHR; Pontiac Torrent and Vibe; Saturn VUE, Buick Rendezvous and Cadillac SRX – and expect to double the number of crossover entries by 2010, including the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave.

The new Buick will be built at GM’s new Lansing Delta Township assembly plant in Lansing, Mich.

EL34 - 11/28/2006 10:43:36 PM

-4 Boost

Tiger and the 2008 Buick Enclave are both classics.

Booyah!

MaranelloMaster - 11/28/2006 10:44:16 PM

+1 Boost

hmm, this looks somewhat promising. At least the engine output sounds plausible for its displacement and and the 6-speed sounds good as well.
I still wouldn't but it though. New BMW X5?

Agent004 - 11/29/2006 12:02:51 AM

0 Boost

uhhh, it goes FX, then the MDX, fyi.

MercBasher - 11/29/2006 10:54:03 AM

+2 Boost

I like the design, except for the portholes.

MercBasher - 11/29/2006 10:54:33 AM

+1 Boost

. . . and the cheap-looking chromed wheels

mstangpny07 - 11/28/2006 11:04:55 PM

+1 Boost

I have to admit something, I actually liked the concept.
Some of it's magic is lost here....

EL34 - 11/28/2006 11:09:40 PM

+3 Boost

Besides Acura ripped of the Q7 when designing the MDX.

Booooooooooooooooooooo!

chewy - 11/29/2006 1:32:04 AM

-2 Boost

True. Honda Civic also copied Audi A4 taillights.

aznstuart - 11/29/2006 10:26:22 PM

0 Boost

actually Acura had it on the RDX Concept in 2002 and the Acura EL in Canada since 2001. Audi copied Honda. Anyway, the MDX rear looks soo much better than the anomalous rear of the Q7.

To answer the question of the article. NO. No GM crap can compete with the MDX or RX and FX for that matter. The Buick is a rebadged Saturn, btw. The MDX is 100% Acura, not built off the Pilot or Odyssey.

kart1 - 11/28/2006 11:48:14 PM

+3 Boost

Tiger is great at golf, but it is not like this is the first car he will be promoting. So I really don't think it will even get close to challenging the RX. The MDX will beat it without a problem as well.

silverarrow2 - 11/29/2006 1:20:22 AM

+2 Boost

EL34,

Why are you so stupid? what proof do you have that Acura ripped of the Q7?
The MDX is a better design, the only thing the two are similar in, is tail lights and for your information Acura had those tail lights way before Audi stucked them on their A4.
Before you talk shit, do your research.
Don't even reply until you do your homework and come up with some real facts.

XYZZ - 11/29/2006 6:12:34 AM

+1 Boost

Audi also "borrowed" taillights off the crappy chevy s10 TRUCK to slap on their sedans.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/29/2006 2:33:09 PM

0 Boost

"The MDX is a better design, the only thing the two are similar in, is tail lights and for your information Acura had those tail lights way before Audi stucked them on their A4."

Hmm. The new MDX is hideous inside and out, for one thing. X5 and Q7 are both much more elegant choices.

On which Acura, exactly, did those taillights first appear, then? I'm just dying to know.

aznstuart - 11/29/2006 10:27:31 PM

+2 Boost

The Acura EL in Canada in 2001 and the Acura RDX concept in 2002.

Lexus - 11/29/2006 1:24:14 AM

+1 Boost

This design is "NO" where near both the exterior and interior design of Japanese SUV. Who next? Mazda CX7 and after that can tiger and enclave beat subaru Tribeca? spelling? come on enough of this pathetic nonsense already. Just make better design and realibility than you will sales more cars.

Lexus

MercBasher - 11/29/2006 10:57:30 AM

0 Boost

What crap - I don't think the first generation RX is aging well, the second [current] generation, which looks ok today, may age just as fast. Furthermore Japanese entries such as the Subaru Tribeca and Mazda SUVs are hardly stunning.

aznstuart - 11/29/2006 10:29:05 PM

+1 Boost

Or maybe it's just GM's track record, which isn't exactly the best. More like one of the worse in reliability.

chewy - 11/29/2006 1:33:29 AM

-2 Boost

GM has been putting out nicer products later, but this endorsment is kinda painful. But I am sure it will get some people to buy it because of Tiger.

99gs400 - 11/29/2006 10:29:26 AM

+2 Boost

Great golfer doesnt mean he can promote a crap car !!!
people who buy this car is because of Tiger and has no stardands when it comes to automobile. If tiger promote
garbage does it make it a better garbage ?

AUDIMAN4 - 11/29/2006 2:27:51 AM

+1 Boost

I don't know, it might. I'd say it has potential against both the FX and MDX. It's not as sporty, but it still a nice ride.

BMW530i - 11/29/2006 6:13:44 AM

0 Boost

Agreed. I do think however that the Buick offers nothing of value that would make someone pick it over the foreign competition.

As usual, the people who will end up buying this car are loyal GM / Buick fans - or those who seek to be different.

MercBasher - 11/29/2006 10:59:50 AM

0 Boost

I don't agree I think this vehicle appears to have pricing, style, equipment and "newness" all in its favor. It may be the perfect vehicle for folks downsizing from the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia.

aznstuart - 11/29/2006 10:30:29 PM

+2 Boost

No matter how cheap they make the price, no sane person younger than 70 will buy a Buick. Everyone knows it's grandpa's brand.

bubbahotep - 11/29/2006 8:41:06 AM

+2 Boost

Anyone who would buy this vehicle because Tiger or any other celebrtiy is the spokesperson is an idiot....

Man, do car companies know how to waste money or what ?!?!?!

shane69 - 11/29/2006 8:51:14 AM

-2 Boost

Man you guys make me ill, thats a awsome soccer mom vehicle..if it said Lexus or Infiniti you would swear it was the second coming..who thought 5 years ago Buick of a would put out something some damn nice....give it a rest fellas...your so afraid ya like something other than a damn vette, or a pukestang....go buick go...

aznstuart - 11/29/2006 10:33:36 PM

+1 Boost

Correction, GM can put something so nice. Buick did nothing. They just took the Saturn Outlook and changed a few body panels and added leather and a nice clock. Coming out of GM, it's pretty good. Being a Buick that's trying to run with the Big boys MDX and RX350...nice try Buick...all your customers will be grandpas buying it so they can drive around their grandchildren.

MercBasher - 11/29/2006 10:53:09 AM

+3 Boost

How come even Buick can have back-up cameras in its vehicles and yet Mercedes and BMW don't [I'm not sure about VW, Audi and Porsche SUVs]?

aznstuart - 11/29/2006 10:34:19 PM

+1 Boost

The Honda CR-V has it standard with the NAVI.

XYZZ - 11/30/2006 5:27:05 AM

+2 Boost

germans can't make/install reliable electronics.

DallasMR2 - 11/29/2006 11:16:25 AM

+2 Boost

absolutely not! the 6cyl X5 wil have a tough enough time against the MDX, let alone a BUICK!

has anyone actually seen the interior of the MDX??? GORGEOUS!

blueice4589 - 11/29/2006 12:02:04 PM

+1 Boost

WHAT!! Oh my god, their was an article posted not too long ago that was saying that Tiger and this "Buick SUV" will kill the RX350, now your saying that it will kill the MDX? Please, I'd even take the 2007 Acura MDX over the Lexus RX350 anyday, much less a Buick. STOP COMPARING INCOMPERABLE COMPANIES!!!

Loki123 - 11/29/2006 3:48:21 PM

+2 Boost

The Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook (Lambda platform) are GM's response to the other entry-level luxury SUV's.

Will it beat the MDX, RX, FX, X5 - no way!
Will it beat the Pacifica, CX-9, Freestyle and maybe the XC90 - probably!

1970toyotamarc - 11/29/2006 3:57:23 PM

+1 Boost

Exactly. Someone got it right finally. Toyota should be more worried about the aging Highlander than the Lexus RX. Honda should be concerned about its aging Pilot, not the new MDX.

Buick will never compete against Lexus, Infiniti, the Germans, or even Acura. The Lucerne competes with Avalons, 500s, and 300s, not RLs, GSs, 5 series and E classes. The same will hold for the new SUV.

And that's not an attack on this SUV, which may be one of the best looking American vehicles available, with a decent engine as well.

XYZZ - 11/30/2006 5:43:10 AM

+2 Boost

according to AutoWeek, this whole thing about buick taking on lexus happened like this:

a few gm execs got a ride in a buick suv (forgot which model exactly) and were IMPRESSED by how quiet it was. nothing about fit, finish, quality, style, NOTHING else was noted. just how QUIET it was.

immediately, they figured, "Hey! we can compete with Lexus with this!" thus was born the fantasy that buick mite actually compete against lexus.

now, say we take a chinese chery. stuff it full of sound INSULATION. maybe it will be able to take on lexus too! LOL!

XYZZ - 12/1/2006 6:45:10 AM

+1 Boost

the joke then was: so buick makes a quiet TRUCK. gm management concludes they can go up against lexus.

EL34 - 11/30/2006 9:38:44 PM

+1 Boost

I've seen 3 MDX's on the road and I am not impressed with the looks of that SUV in the least, just don't like the front end and back has nothing to do with the front, it's a hodgepodge of an SUV.

aznstuart - 12/1/2006 6:54:20 PM

+2 Boost

Well this month's sale of 6000 units prove that the consumers like it!
BTW, the Q7, The car that "the MDX copies" only sold 2000 units this month.

wanga - 12/2/2006 9:18:09 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah,he will buy all of them,Is it the Rendez vous
replacement