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2009 Buick Enclave Review

March 16, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

an Art Deco feel
The Auto Channel

G.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiors
The New York Times

voluptuous skin
Truck Trend

a very fresh, modern exterior...curvy
MotherProof

TheCarConnection.com finds the majority of reviewers enjoy the looks, inside and out, of the 2009 Buick Enclave. Outside, it features curvaceous fenders and glamorous detailing, though the D-pillar would look better blacked out than in body color (it's the vertical piece that separates the rear doors from the cargo area). Inside, it's subdued, luxurious, and high-quality throughout—and a revelation for Buick.

MotherProof considers the Enclave "curvy" and "lean." According to the review from Kelley Blue Book, the "waterfall" grille and portholes above the fenders recall the ripe, sensuous lines of the classic Buicks of the late 1940s and early '50s. It’s “a more soothing design,” Car and Driver contends—and BusinessWeek agrees, saying, “the curvy contours, the chrome, and the bold grille-work perfectly reflect the Enclave's overall tone.”

GM designed the Enclave and its sister vehicles (the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse) from the ground up, though some engine and suspension pieces are borrowed from the company's cars. The shape isn’t cribbed from any vehicle—it’s a new look for GM and for Buick, one filled with rounded forms and soft, subtle shapes, both inside and out. The 2009 Buick Enclave’s "voluptuous curves" and "graceful lines" are praised by the likes of Edmunds, while Road & Travel calls it "slinky." The Enclave is a “crossover with flowing lines, big wheels, a wide stance, and a tapered upper body,” according to Car and Driver. In some ways, it’s similar to its siblings, MSN Autos says, “but the Buick model looks the best of the trio.”

The 2009 Buick Enclave’s interior also suggests a ’40s- to ’50s-era vehicle, according to The Auto Channel: "The dash features a center arch in housing an analog clock giving the Enclave an Art Deco feel." Motor Trend notes that “its nicely designed interior is as tangible an improvement over the other two as its organic, Coke-bottle sheet metal is compared with their creased lines.” The New York Times agrees, reporting, “The cabin’s design showed that G.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiors.” BusinessWeek gushes about the interior as well, calling it “gorgeous, easily as nice, or nicer, as the interiors of the Lexus RX 350, the Acura MDX, and the Volvo XC90.”

Conclusion

Both the curvy exterior styling and the tasteful interior look of the 2009 Buick Enclave find a lot of friends.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:an Art Deco feelThe Auto ChannelG.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiorsThe New York Timesvoluptuous skinTruck Trenda very fresh, modern exterior...curvyMotherProof TheCarConnection.com finds the majority of reviewers enjoy the looks, inside and out, of the 2009 Buick Enclave. Outside, it features curvaceous fenders and glamorous detailing, though the D-pillar would look better blacked out than in body color (it's the vertical piece that separates the rear doors from the cargo area). Inside, it's subdued, luxurious, and high-quality throughout—and a revelation for Buick. MotherProof considers the Enclave "curvy" and "lean." According to the review from Kelley Blue Book, the "waterfall" grille and portholes above the fenders recall the ripe, sensuous lines of the classic Buicks of the late 1940s and early '50s. It’s “a more soothing design,” Car and Driver contends—and BusinessWeek agrees, saying, “the curvy contours, the chrome, and the bold grille-work perfectly reflect the Enclave's overall tone.” GM designed the Enclave and its sister vehicles (the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse) from the ground up, though some engine and suspension pieces are borrowed from the company's cars. The shape isn’t cribbed from any vehicle—it’s a new look for GM and for Buick, one filled with rounded forms and soft, subtle shapes, both inside and out. The 2009 Buick Enclave’s "voluptuous curves" and "graceful lines" are praised by the likes of Edmunds, while Road & Travel calls it "slinky." The Enclave is a “crossover with flowing lines, big wheels, a wide stance, and a tapered upper body,” according to Car and Driver. In some ways, it’s similar to its siblings, MSN Autos says, “but the Buick model looks the best of the trio.” The 2009 Buick Enclave’s interior also suggests a ’40s- to ’50s-era vehicle, according to The Auto Channel: "The dash features a center arch in housing an analog clock giving the Enclave an Art Deco feel." Motor Trend notes that “its nicely designed interior is as tangible an improvement over the other two as its organic, Coke-bottle sheet metal is compared with their creased lines.” The New York Times agrees, reporting, “The cabin’s design showed that G.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiors.” BusinessWeek gushes about the interior as well, calling it “gorgeous, easily as nice, or nicer, as the interiors of the Lexus RX 350, the Acura MDX, and the Volvo XC90.” ConclusionBoth the curvy exterior styling and the tasteful interior look of the 2009 Buick Enclave find a lot of friends. 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE STYLING | [9 out of 10] The Auto Channel: "an Art Deco feel" The New York Times: “G.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiors” Truck Trend: "voluptuous skin" MotherProof: "a very fresh, modern exterior...curvy" TheCarConnection.com finds the majority ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Buick Enclave goes head-to-head with smaller and sportier competitor models yet holds its own, and the Enclave provides an American slant on how popular crossover SUVs should look and behave. Only the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 offer three rows of seats, but their last rows are better suited for children. The Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, and Infiniti RX all offer optional V-8 engines in their crossovers, giving their takes on luxury a bigger punch of power. The Lexus RX 350 provides a conservative interior ambiance that’s closest to that of the Enclave, if that’s what you like. And if room is important, go with the Buick.

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See the Buick Enclave in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

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