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2010 Buick Enclave Review

August 14, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

The cool, smooth lines of the Enclave's exterior carry country club airs
Detroit News

an Art Deco feel
The Auto Channel

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

voluptuous skin
Truck Trend

The 2010 Buick Enclave is a good-looking vehicle, most reviewers agree. Curvaceous fenders and glamorous detailing are a big part of it, though TheCarConnection.com thinks that 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). The Enclave's interior is loved, too; it's subdued, luxurious, and high-quality throughout—and in many ways, a revelation for Buick.

A number of reviewers try to assess the overall design, and many see retro influences. MotherProof considers the Enclave "curvy" but still "lean" overall. According to the reviewers from Kelley Blue Book, the "waterfall" grille and portholes above the fenders hark back to the classic design lines of Buicks from 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.”

Reviewers are more positive about the Enclave's styling than that of other Buicks. Some reviews of the Enclave’s style could be mistaken for descriptions of a cocktail waitress. For example, the 2010 Buick Enclave’s "voluptuous curves" and "graceful lines" are admired by the likes of Edmunds, while Road & Travel calls it "slinky." Others are less poetic, observing that the Enclave is a “crossover with flowing lines, big wheels, a wide stance, and a tapered upper body,” according to Car and Driver. Underneath the suave exterior, it’s similar to its siblings, MSN Autos says, “but the Buick model looks the best of the trio,” referring to the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook; the closely related Chevrolet Traverse also joined GM's roster last year.

The interior of the 2010 Buick Enclave draws overwhelmingly positive comments. "The dash features a center arch in housing an analog clock giving the Enclave an Art Deco feel," says The Auto Channel.  BusinessWeek gushes over the interior as well, calling it “gorgeous” and “easily as nice, or nicer, as the interiors of the Lexus RX 350, the Acura MDX, and the Volvo XC90.” The New York Times agrees, reporting, “the cabin’s design showed that G.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiors.” Motor Trend notes that “its nicely designed interior is as tangible an improvement over the other two [Lambda-platform crossovers] as its organic, Coke-bottle sheet metal is compared with their creased lines.”

Conclusion

The 2010 Buick Enclave has a curvy exterior and tasteful, classy interior styling that are sure to impress almost any shopper for this type of vehicle.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:The cool, smooth lines of the Enclave's exterior carry country club airsDetroit Newsan Art Deco feelThe Auto ChannelG.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiorsNew York Timesvoluptuous skinTruck Trend The 2010 Buick Enclave is a good-looking vehicle, most reviewers agree. Curvaceous fenders and glamorous detailing are a big part of it, though TheCarConnection.com thinks that 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). The Enclave's interior is loved, too; it's subdued, luxurious, and high-quality throughout—and in many ways, a revelation for Buick. A number of reviewers try to assess the overall design, and many see retro influences. MotherProof considers the Enclave "curvy" but still "lean" overall. According to the reviewers from Kelley Blue Book, the "waterfall" grille and portholes above the fenders hark back to the classic design lines of Buicks from 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.” Reviewers are more positive about the Enclave's styling than that of other Buicks. Some reviews of the Enclave’s style could be mistaken for descriptions of a cocktail waitress. For example, the 2010 Buick Enclave’s "voluptuous curves" and "graceful lines" are admired by the likes of Edmunds, while Road & Travel calls it "slinky." Others are less poetic, observing that the Enclave is a “crossover with flowing lines, big wheels, a wide stance, and a tapered upper body,” according to Car and Driver. Underneath the suave exterior, it’s similar to its siblings, MSN Autos says, “but the Buick model looks the best of the trio,” referring to the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook; the closely related Chevrolet Traverse also joined GM's roster last year. The interior of the 2010 Buick Enclave draws overwhelmingly positive comments. "The dash features a center arch in housing an analog clock giving the Enclave an Art Deco feel," says The Auto Channel.  BusinessWeek gushes over the interior as well, calling it “gorgeous” and “easily as nice, or nicer, as the interiors of the Lexus RX 350, the Acura MDX, and the Volvo XC90.” The New York Times agrees, reporting, “the cabin’s design showed that G.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiors.” Motor Trend notes that “its nicely designed interior is as tangible an improvement over the other two [Lambda-platform crossovers] as its organic, Coke-bottle sheet metal is compared with their creased lines.” ConclusionThe 2010 Buick Enclave has a curvy exterior and tasteful, classy interior styling that are sure to impress almost any shopper for this type of vehicle. 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE STYLING | [9 out of 10] Detroit News: "The cool, smooth lines of the Enclave's exterior carry country club airs" The Auto Channel: "an Art Deco feel" New York Times: “G.M. was successful in its effort to upgrade its interiors” Truck Trend: "voluptuous skin" The ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2010 Buick Enclave provides a new benchmark for American luxury crossovers, and it’s a viable rival to other luxury-brand vehicles. The Buick has the most space in its class; the Lincoln MKT comes close, with a beautiful interior and three accommodating rows. Otherwise, only the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 offer three rows of seats, but their last rows are more suited for children than adults. If power is your thing, the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, and Infiniti RX all offer optional V-8 engines in their crossovers, but these tend to be thirsty when it comes to fuel consumption. The Lexus RX 350 has a conservative interior ambiance that’s closest to that of the Enclave, if that’s what you like.

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See the Buick Enclave in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (3 total)

  1. By  enclave #1, Posted: 8/26/2009

    Looks like they have pulled out the stops on the marketing for this one. I have seen some viral videos that show it in action. I wonder if the GM ad agency has been pushing these.

  2. By Robert #2, Posted: 9/7/2009

    We love our 2009 Buick Enclave! Bought it loaded with all options. Incredible number of features for the money. Beautiful inside and out. The 3rd row leg/headroom space and bucket seats in 2nd row important for us, so better than Pilot, MDX, Highlander, CX9, Lexus, Ford's, etc. Excellent in ice and snow. Very quiet, great ride.

  3. By Melis #3, Posted: 10/29/2009

    I just want to get word out about the Navigation system so people don't continue to have this feature included when it isn't nearly what it's cracked up to be. I've spoken to several other people about it and they share the opinion. It's AWFUL! The rest of the car is great in every respect. Just skip the Navigation system.

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