Used 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave is a premium midsize SUV with few direct competitors. Like the rest of the Buick lineup, the flagship Enclave straddles the line between mainstream and luxury. It’s more upscale than crossovers like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, but doesn’t quite reach the heights of luxury offerings from premium brands like the Audi Q7 and BMW X7. The Enclave is priced accordingly, meaning it’s a great option if its pricing lines up with your budget.

Something that sets the Enclave apart from more expensive luxury SUVs is the third row of seats you can actually use. Rivals from luxury brands that are more focused on performance or greater opulence are a mixed bag in terms of practicality. If you need a third row that’s roomy and easy to access, the Enclave is a top choice. It also has generous cargo space to boot.

The Buick Enclave is enjoyed by drivers and passengers alike. Tall drivers fit well in this Buick, even with the standard sunroof.

KBB sampled a 2022 Buick Enclave Essence, an AWD 1SL model that looked great in its Cherry Red Tintcoat paint. It’s an especially rich-looking paint that reminds us of Mazda’s Soul Red Premium Metallic, and it’s complemented nicely by the Enclave’s perforated leather seat upholstery.

The Enclave’s standard 3.6-liter V6 engine is a proven performer, both smooth and powerful. When you come to a red light, the engine shuts off automatically to save fuel, then restarts itself when you lift off the brake after the light turns green. In last year’s Enclave, you could not shut this feature off; in this year’s Enclave, Buick has given this luxurious midsize 3-row SUV a button to do just that. A good thing, we say, even though the automatic restarts are impressively smooth.

The ride quality of the new 2022 Buick Enclave remains plush but not the least bit floaty, and the overall driving experience is quiet and refined. It’s easy to get in and out of this 7-seat Buick SUV, and the 3.6-liter V6 sends its ample power to all four wheels via a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission.

Around town and on long trips, this Buick impresses with its quiet refinement. As a result, the Enclave gobbles up miles with ease and makes long trips feel shorter than they really are. We also appreciate the Enclave’s generous cargo space and comfortable recliner-like front seats. A 6-foot tall person can sit behind a driver of the same height, and the controls for the audio system and infotainment are clear and easy to use.

Buick makes a big point about “QuietTuning,” and this effort can be felt in the impressive serenity of the Enclave cabin. Efforts to suppress interior noise include triple-sealed doors, a special windshield made of laminated acoustic glass, active noise cancellation from the Bose stereo, and a noise-suppressing underhood engine cover.

The particular 2022 Enclave that KBB tested came with the $1,450 Bose Premium Technology Package, which includes welcome features such as adaptive cruise control, a surround-sound Bose audio system, and a rear camera mirror. While we like the video rearview mirror, especially when there are tall passengers in the back, the one in the Enclave didn’t have quite enough adjustability for a tall driver to see out straight out the back glass when switched into its conventional-mirror mode.

Note: While the optional all-wheel-drive system makes the Enclave a good partner in wintry conditions, it does reduce the EPA fuel economy by one mpg in each of the city, highway, and combined ratings.

Enclave competitors abound in this large category of luxurious 3-row SUVs. Among the most notable are the Acura MDX, Cadillac XT6, and the GMC Acadia.

There isn’t a bad seat in the attractively styled 7-seat interior of the Buick Enclave. For many SUVs in this 3-row class — especially from luxury brands — the third row is simply unusable for anyone taller than the average middle-schooler. However, in the Enclave, you get a third row with generous legroom, and it doesn’t require any yoga to actually get back there, thanks to “Smart Slide” seating. The Enclave is even more comfortable for the first two rows, and we love that it has standard 2nd-row captain’s chairs.

One change for 2022 is a push-button gearshift system replacing the traditional stick. That makes it easier to climb in the driver’s seat and put a purse or briefcase in the passenger seat without bumping a shifter. Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mean your smartphone links up with the infotainment system without taking the phone out of your purse or pocket.

As for interior materials, they’re excellent, not that far off the standards of German luxury brands like Audi and Mercedes-Benz. But keep in mind, this Buick also isn’t priced like a German luxury SUV. In short, we found the Enclave interior to be a pleasant place, both nicely styled and practical while being eminently comfortable.

The update for the 2022 Buick Enclave keeps its look fresh. It keeps similar curvy body lines of the previous model year and adds sleek LED headlights and taillights, and new wheel options. The result is a stylish SUV that looks a little more expensive than it really is. Buick has done a nice job preventing its flagship SUV from getting stale.

The look of the Buick Enclave can change a bit depending on which trim you go with. Most trims look pretty similar, but if you go all the way up to the Avenir trim, you get nicer wheels, a special grille, and some subtle texture in the signature lighting setting it apart from the lower trims. Also, the Avenir gets a revised rear fascia and an exclusive taillight design.

Lastly, a new-for-2022 Sport Touring appearance package gives this comfortable 3-row Buick SUV a sportier look via revised 20-inch wheels (with graphite-painted pockets), a unique grille, and ST liftgate badging. While this Enclave indeed looks sportier, its performance remains unchanged.

ROOMY INTERIOR
The interior is truly the highlight of the Buick Enclave. While you could pay more for a fancier interior from a more prestigious luxury brand, you’ll have a hard time finding a 3-row interior this roomy, family-friendly, and attractive. There’s plenty of space for passengers and cargo.

STANDARD V6
The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine in every 2022 Buick Enclave has a relaxed nature, and it makes highway passing easy. But we wish it would return slightly better EPA fuel economy.

A new host of standard features makes the updated 2022 Buick Enclave a better value in the lower trims. These standard features include LED headlights and taillights, a push-button shifter, a Buick Infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 2nd-row captain’s chairs, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, QuietTuning technology, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine.

The most significant update to the 2022 Buick Enclave’s standard-features list is extra safety technology. Standard safety features on every Enclave now include automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, forward-collision alert, automatic high-beams, and a following-distance indicator.

The Essence and Premium models now get a standard wireless smartphone charger, while the Enclave Premium and Avenir models get a new standard head-up display.

As you work your way up the trims, the Enclave gains some nicer materials and more tech features. These include leather seating, a dual-pane sunroof, a color head-up display, an 8-inch driver information center, wireless device charging, a power rear sunshade, and some more safety tech, including advanced adaptive cruise control and a safety alert seat.

The most luxurious version of the Enclave is the upscale Avenir model which is very nice, but its projected starting price of $56,295 makes it less attractive to us than the more affordable mid-range trims. A few details that are unique to the Avenir model include an appearance package with special wheels, grille, fascia, and lighting, along with nicer interior trim, a special seat stitch pattern with piping, and subtle Avenir badging inside and out.

Two notable option packages on the standard 2022 Buck Avenir in Essence trim are a $2,850 Touring Package that includes 255/55R-20 tires and molded assist steps, and a $1,450 Technology Package that includes adaptive cruise control and the rearview camera mirror.

Stand-alone options include a $650 Trailering Package, which raises the max tow capacity of the 2022 Buick Enclave from 1,500 to 5,000 pounds. You can also get roof-rack cross rails for $335.

The sole engine option in the 2022 Buick Enclave is a trusty 3.6-liter V6 linked to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option if you’re looking for more confidence-inspiring traction. But be warned: AWD does cut EPA fuel economy by 1 mpg in each of the EPA’s categories (city, highway, combined).

That stated, the Enclave powertrain impresses us with its smooth and quiet smooth delivery of power, which is complemented by well-timed shifts. This engine has been used in a wide range of General Motors vehicles and has a good reputation.

In the future, we’d like Buick to consider a mild-hybrid version of the Enclave for improved fuel economy.

3.6-liter V6
310 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
266 lb-ft of torque @ 2,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg (FWD), 17/25 mpg (AWD)