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STYLING | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Refined “ventaports” on the hood recall Buicks of past.
Popular Mechanics
Chrome and wood-finish trim accents impart a classy ambiance.
ConsumerGuide
elegant, distinct styling language, which it wears well and which imparts a unique, upscale presence
Car and Driver
luxurious interior and curvaceous body
Edmunds
a more attractive and luxurious alternative without the sliding-door stigma
Car and Driver
Although its design is now four years old, the 2011 Buick Enclave still looks classy and contemporary, with curvaceous fenders and glamorous detailing. The Enclave is almost the anti–Ford Flex; look down its bodysides and it's curvy and concave. The Enclave simply looks great—even better if you get it in black, which blocks out the body-color C-pillar that otherwise disrupts the flowing side glass. Another styling detail you either love or hate is the chromed ports alongside the hood; it's a cue from Buick's heritage, but it can be seen as either classy or tacky.
The Enclave's interior is loved, too; it's subdued, luxurious, and high-quality throughout—and in many ways, a revelation for Buick—although it's beginning to feel a bit more like the Buick of old than the fresh new Buick we've seen of late. The Enclave's interior design is attractive, but there are a few more dull surfaces and hard plastics than you might expect from a vehicle in this class, and there's none of the more cockpit-like appeal that's been brought to the brand's newer products. A Deco-style arch in the middle of the dash features a somewhat cheap-looking chromed analog clock, mounted on a dull plastic background—an ever-present, half-hearted effort at luxury—while most of the rest of the Enclave interior feels luxurious, if a bit conservative.
Conclusion
The 2011 Buick Enclave is very conservative looking, but its curvy exterior and most of the interior are enough to impress most shoppers looking for a practical and luxurious vehicle.
