The Buick Enclave: An Evolution

Performance, versatility, and reliability weren’t as harmoniously matched in the early 20th century as they are today. Things changed for the better when SUVs began appearing at a rapid pace throughout the late 1990s through the 2000s, and one of the manufacturers leading the charge was Buick. To some drivers, the Buick Enclave may still be considered a newer model lineup in the grand scheme of things, but in reality, it’s a model that spans back to the year 2007 with the release of the 2008 Enclave. There have been numerous success stories throughout Buick’s existence, but the Enclave’s evolution is perhaps the most fascinating. If you’re looking for used Buick dealerships in KY to check out models such as the Enclave, visit us at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown.

As we mentioned prior, the 2008 model marked the first time the Enclave would grace the market. At this time, Buick wasn’t shying away from ensuring that the Enclave was the go-to SUV for any driver who valued luxury and performance, amongst other things. For the time, the Enclave featured everything that you would want in an SUV, including an ample powertrain configuration, along with extraordinary amounts of cargo space. Of course, the automotive industry doesn’t slow down, and Buick has brought the Enclave along for the ride ever since its debut. Today, we have the 2021 Enclave, and the changes that have been made have mostly been for the better. Let’s take a closer look at how the Enclave has evolved, and let’s see if the Enclave is worth your consideration.

Has Performance Improved?

The 2021 Enclave does produce greater performance than the 2008 model, but this is to be expected from a newer variant. Most importantly, it’s worth considering that the 2008 Enclave was an exemplary performer for its day, and this leads to its specifications often beating out modern-day SUVs that are found at a greater price in new condition. Both the 2008 and 2021 Enclaves utilize a 3.6L V6, and while they’re identical in size, these two models demonstrate just how far engine technology has progressed.

With the 2008 Enclave, the V6 engine produced 275 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque, and the engine came paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. In comparison, the 2021 Enclave’s V6 produces 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque and comes paired with a much more ideal 9-speed automatic transmission. Sure, this increase in horsepower and torque may not sound like much, but this also means that the 2021 Enclave can tow approximately 500 lbs more than the original model, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs instead of 4,500 lbs.

Another piece of the powertrain’s job has been improved upon, and that’s fuel efficiency. The EPA-estimated ratings that both of these vehicles receive will differ between FWD and AWD configurations, but the 2021 model always comes out on top. The 2008 Enclave does hold up nicely with 16 MPG city and 24 MPG highway for FWD models and 16 MPG city and 22 MPG highway with AWD. On the other hand, the 2021 model can do 18 MPG city and 26 MPG highway with FWD and 17 MPG city and 25 MPG highway with AWD. Overall, the changes that have been made to the Enclave’s powertrain have certainly been evolutionary. This is a huge win for those in the used market as the Enclave is always guaranteed to be a fantastic performer.

Interior Differences

The interiors of these vehicles have seen the most change, but also the least at the same time. Both the 2008 and 2021 Enclave come standard with a maximum seating capacity of seven passengers. However, only with the 2008 Enclave can you adjust your seating arrangement to allow for eight passengers, unlike the 2021 model. The size of the interior itself has gone through some changes from slight to drastic. Not too much has changed regarding the cabin’s dimensions other than a bump in overall front-row headroom from 40.4-inches to 41-inches and a minimal decrease in legroom from 41.3-inches on the 2008 model to 41.2-inches on the 2021 Enclave.

To understand the most drastic change between these two models, then look no further than the maximum available cargo space that each one contains. Starting with the new 2021 Enclave, one of the selling points is its 97.6 cu.ft. of available space, but this is far less than the 2008 Enclave’s 116.2 cu.ft. of available space. There is good news, and it’s that every Enclave still offers plenty of cargo space as 97.6 cu.ft. is still a generous amount for most drivers and makes any Enclave model the perfect companion for vacations.

Tech features have come a long way since the Enclave’s release, and stacking the first model to the most recent one shows exactly how this has happened. The 2008 Enclave comes with the features that you would expect from a vehicle of that era, including a CD player with MP3 controls and even an available navigation system, which was not always commonplace at that time. Stepping up to the modern-day Enclave, and you have a drastically different setup, albeit built on the same foundation as those media centers found in older models such as the 2008 model.

Nowadays, the 2021 Enclave sports an infotainment center with an 8-inch touchscreen, a feature that simply didn’t exist at the time of the 2008 model’s release. Back when the original Enclave was released, smartphones were in their infancy and not utilized by a vast majority of the population. This has changed over time, and vehicles released in the past several years reflect this the best, including the 2021 Enclave. Each Enclave supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were also not available in 2008, and were several years down the line from release.

Past, Present, and Future

All things considered, the Enclave is the perfect example of a manufacturer committing to a model and improving upon it over time to make it the best version it can be for the current customer. It’s not every day when a new model nearly fifteen years down the line is still trying to outpace its very first model, and it’s simply extraordinary. Buick may produce and sell a variety of different SUVs and crossovers, but the Enclave is still the fan favorite for a multitude of reasons. The Enclave and the Enclave Avenir currently sit at the top of Buick’s lineup, but they aren’t the only two models by Buick that deserve your attention. To learn more about what Buick SUV works best for you, then come visit Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown to get started.

At our dealership, it’s with the help of our sales team, on-site service center, and finance center that we’re able to guide you through every step of the buying experience. Most importantly, you can count on us after your purchase as well by scheduling a servicing appointment with one of our certified mechanics. Our inventory includes new Buick models and even pre-owned ones such as the Enclave, along with a separate selection of CPO vehicles. Come on down to 1470 Cherry Blossom Way in Georgetown, KY, and we’ll get you situated right away.

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