First Drive: 2008 Buick Enclave

You know what the Enclave is under its voluptuous skin. GM's Lambda platform provides seven or eight seats with a minivan-size third row, a 275-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6, six-speed automatic transmission, and front or intelligent all-wheel drive in the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. Chevrolet will get its own version for 2009, presumably priced and equipped below the $27,990 Outlook. It's a unibody replacement for the rear-drive GMT360/375 (Chevy TrailBlazer/GMC Envoy/Buick Rainier/Saab 9-7x/Isuzu Ascender) and the late and unlamented minivans. In the Buick lineup, the Enclave ostensibly replaces the cheap-feeling Rendezvous. Even if this Buick Lambda represents another example of GM platform-model proliferation through its myriad carlines (Hummer crossover, anyone?), the Enclave is a vast improvement over all it replaces...
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neutral - 5/29/2007 1:12:28 PM

+4 Boost

So sexy.

PlanB - 5/29/2007 1:26:18 PM

+3 Boost

I saw the one last week sitting a train station parking lot. I swear if the Buick logo wasn't on it you could easily mistake it for something non-GM. They did a great job with it but I still can't get past the engine, a mistake they won't correct for another 3 years.

paul3230 - 5/29/2007 2:21:04 PM

+3 Boost

why? It's a 3.5 (or 3.6) DOHC V6 mated to a 6-speed transmission. 275 hp...what's not to like?

PlanB - 5/29/2007 4:23:18 PM

+3 Boost

275hp is not enough to be lugging around a 3 ton supposed "luxury" automobile, regardless of the transmission. It gets the job done for sure, but it really needs more power. Knowing GM, its probably using that engine to keep production costs as low as possible.

neutral - 5/29/2007 6:20:30 PM

+1 Boost

I'm pretty sure that they are going to add the Direct Injection engine to the Enclave. Production just can't keep up with demand though. Either way, the powertrain that's on there now is plenty good. Especially with ridiculous gas prices (even though DI gets better mileage).

bigTYME - 5/29/2007 6:33:57 PM

+1 Boost

I think the engine is fine. I was shocked the other day when I saw that the Acadia. It was a FWD model that did 18 city and 26 highway. Thats 1 mpg better than my G35 coupe.

Bmw8ter - 5/29/2007 1:31:58 PM

+2 Boost

I wonder if this is going to be another Moe, Larry & Curly special where GM duplicates the same vehicle across a few different brands like it did with the Chevy - Uplander.

2 brands down, and 3 to go.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 5/29/2007 1:38:38 PM

-1 Boost

It looks good on American roads but here it wouldn't sell. We grew out of chrome a couple of decades ago....

S4cabriofoxone - 5/29/2007 7:35:38 PM

0 Boost

There's only chrome on the front bumper. Your anti-American comments are infuriating.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/29/2007 7:40:31 PM

+2 Boost

Okay, I'll amend that- there's not only chrome on the front bumper. But your racist remarks (whether they're simply implied or just stated) still piss me off.

neutral - 5/30/2007 12:39:33 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry to say it....I like chrome (so long as its not over-done and tacky).

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 5/30/2007 1:50:19 AM

+1 Boost

Hey c'mon S4 I'm no racist here.. I was just making jokes about American cars. We all love the make jokes cars and their creators :)

I apologize if I offended you S4, I was not my intention.

w209w114 - 5/29/2007 2:18:36 PM

+2 Boost

Saw one in person at the car show last year here and it looked INCREDIBLE not only for GM but anything, And I'm not a fan of American Cars . The interior looked high end, and the exterior had some muscular curves. These pictures dont do it justice.

Caddyman07 - 5/29/2007 2:38:53 PM

+2 Boost

There is a brown or bronze colored one riding around here in the Chicago area. I would say this is the best looking Buick they have came out with in years. Every test of the new Acadia/Outlook says that these vehicles are overweight/underpowered. If GM dropped the direct injection 300 horse 3.6 V6 in these, it might solve this problem.

horta - 5/29/2007 3:01:05 PM

+3 Boost

I want one bad!! I had one on order but found out I am getting laid off as of June 29th.....outsourcing....

S4cabriofoxone - 5/29/2007 7:36:12 PM

+2 Boost

TMI. LOL.

Rupert - 5/29/2007 4:52:14 PM

+2 Boost

So 4 of the same damn car?!
Why....why not just 2, the Buick and the Chevvy?

S4cabriofoxone - 5/29/2007 7:37:25 PM

+2 Boost

It's not possible for GM to contemplate a car without including at least three brands.

bmwdrvr - 5/29/2007 5:28:52 PM

+1 Boost

i saw one on the road the other day i was impressed havnt personally seen the interior, but at the price they are trying to push this car at it should be fine. it doesnt look like the other cars that share its platform so i think its fine, for someone interested in one of the others cars but want a more classic look. and were if we talking 4 of the same car, lets look to honda and toyota which do the multiple cars on the same platform better than anyone i know., i think they should only have the buick, and chevy version though, maybe the saturn, but the gmc is overkill its just splitting the sales of the saturn version

S4cabriofoxone - 5/29/2007 7:38:25 PM

+2 Boost

But the GMC is also probably the best of the three... it has good handling, versatility, and it's attractive inside and out.

Will_ - 5/29/2007 6:52:59 PM

+2 Boost

I saw one too. It instantly reminded me of a Lexus SC430. This is a good design direction for Buick. Good job GM!

S4cabriofoxone - 5/30/2007 11:26:36 PM

+2 Boost

Something tells me that's just not the car they were going for...

Acura2234 - 5/30/2007 1:39:49 AM

+4 Boost

Dear GM,
The name Buick sucks!
Thanks,
Acura2234

importshark - 6/1/2007 2:50:20 PM

+1 Boost

Nice design ..... but do we need another Minivan/SUV/Family Car?

animal - 11/16/2007 6:04:03 PM

+1 Boost

We enjoyed our test drive in an Enclave; the power was adequate for our family car. The look and feel was great and from what we read/heard and experienced we ordered one on Sept 12th 2007. Today (Nov 16th) we are being told that they will build the car between Dec 12th and 17th (delivery will most likely be in Jan 08); with an attitude that is what you get. This is why you don't see many on the road; they aren't in a hurry to build them. Then I read that GM sales are down... hmm... Well, off to Lexus and Toyota to look for a car...