{"id":33384,"date":"2024-09-19T09:07:10","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T13:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=33384"},"modified":"2024-09-19T09:07:10","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T13:07:10","slug":"payne-bountiful-buick-enclave-is-a-lotta-suv-for-your-cheddar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/payne-bountiful-buick-enclave-is-a-lotta-suv-for-your-cheddar","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Bountiful Buick Enclave is a lotta SUV for your cheddar"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Tillamook, Oregon<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 As Monty Python reminds us, cheddar is the most popular cheese in the world. Tillamook makes some of the world\u2019s best, and its flagship creamery is on Oregon\u2019s Pacific coast. It\u2019s a great destination for a family adventure in, say, the 2025 Buick Enclave.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Buick\u2019s flagship SUV offers a lot of goodies for your cheddar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Starting at $46K, the tasty, roomy, three-row ute comes standard with blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control, rear-cross traffic alert, 30-inch-curved-Porsche Taycan-like screen display, wireless Apple CarPlay\/Android Auto, phone charger, heated steering wheel, heated vinyl power seats, second-row captain\u2019s chairs and a lifetime\u2019s supply of Tillamook cheese (kidding about that last part).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/09\/18\/PDTN\/75274617007-buick-enclave-stfr-34.jpg?width=990&amp;height=558&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"561\" height=\"316\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The attractive, spare design of the 2025 Buick Enclave is complemented by loaded safety features including blind-spot assist and adaptive cruise control.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Add all-wheel drive for northern winters and a convenience package that includes must-haves like a panoramic sunroof so the kiddies can get a tan in the third row, and my favorite, black-trimmed ST model clocks in at $54,043 \u2014 just five grand above its cousin Chevy Traverse Z71 model that I flipped for early this year, and $12K south of a comparable Audi A7 45.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The American west is an epic place with Pacific Ocean views, southwest canyons and Rocky Mountain highs, and General Motors Co. offers the C1 platform-based, three-row Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia SUVs to take you there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Enclave makes its case in a crowded premium segment with a buffet of competitive options. The Buick makes an aggressive value pitch by undercutting luxury Germans as well as premium peers like the $60K-plus Lincoln Aviator, Volvo XC90 and Acura MDX A-Spec. Only the classy inline-6-cylinder Mazda CX-90 Turbo Premium Plus undercuts the Buick\u2019s value at $51,450.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Enclave cements its value with a simple, standout interior.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/09\/18\/PDTN\/75274623007-buick-enclave-roof.jpg?width=990&amp;height=558&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"513\" height=\"289\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2025 Buick Enclave is optioned with a panoramic roof.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The 2025 Buick Enclave is optioned with a panoramic roof.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I know, you want to do that Pacific road trip in a Cadillac Escalade \u2014 but then you choke on the $80K sticker like a mouse ingesting a half-pound Tillamook cheese wheel. Never fear, Buick is here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In addition to that stunning Porsche Taycan\u00a0curved screen is a floating console island right out of a Cadillac Lyriq. Oooooh, check out the enormous purse-storage cavity underneath The side-by-side cup holders, the yuuuuuge wireless phone charger. The space was opened up moving the shifter to the steering column.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Its creamy feel is mated to, um, a coarse-sounding 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine that powers the GM SUV trio. It droned away even in my sporty looking ST model. By contrast, Ford\u2019s (similarly-priced), growly ST-line turbo-4 sounds like a cornered badger. Now, that\u2019s what a premium turbo-4 should sound like.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/09\/18\/PDTN\/75274634007-buick-enclave-selfdrive.jpg?width=990&amp;height=558&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"522\" height=\"294\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Hands-free Super Cruise is available on some secondary roads in the 2025 Buick Enclave.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Hands-free Super Cruise is available on some secondary roads in the 2025 Buick Enclave.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Happily, the 4-banger is a torque monster, and Enclave had no problem powering over the Oregon Coast Range on its way to the Pacific coast from Portland \u2014 inhaling cool air as the temperature dropped from the Columbia River basin\u2019s 90 degrees to the Pacific Coast\u2019s 60 degrees over 80 miles. Man, I love this country.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\"><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">If the engine running the wheels lacks moxie, then the Google Built-in operating system running the dash displays is an iMax movie experience by comparison.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Navigating to Tillamook, I toggled through multiple instrument display modes to put the navigation map \u2014 Audi-style \u2014 on the screen right in front of me. This freed up the right side of the 30-inch jumbotron for the passenger to adjust, say, radio stations on GM\u2019s best-in-class Sirius XM interface. Google Built-in desktop offers multiple apps like your car. Ambient light color adjuster, radio, Park-assist. Like a smartphone, you can slide any of them to your shortcuts menu for instant access.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">If you live in a city, you might want Park Assist in your shortcuts for parallel and perpendicular parking.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/09\/18\/PDTN\/75274620007-buick-enclave-engine.jpg?width=990&amp;height=558&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"506\" height=\"285\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2025 Buick Enclave has one engine option - a powerful, if uninspiring, 328-horse turbo-4. It could use some premium audio growl.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The 2025 Buick Enclave has one engine option &#8211; a powerful, if uninspiring, 328-horse turbo-4. It could use some premium audio growl.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In the town of Oceanside, I sidled up to a parallel parking space, and the Buick instantly identified the open space on my right. Then I sat back and watched as the Enclave automatically backed into the space without my touching the wheel or pedals. Nervous about where the four corners are on your three-row SUV? Let Park Assist help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">For true road warriors, I recommend the $3,225 Super Cruise hands-free driving option. The industry-leading system (better than Tesla\u2019s pioneering Full-Self-Driving system on my Model 3) allows you to relax on divided freeways, eat a meal, or enjoy an extra layer of security when you travel two-lane byways.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I\u2019m not sure many customers will drop that kind of coin on a system that, understandably, will freak them out at first. Better if GM outfitted every Enclave with Super Cruise hardware (as Tesla does) then let customers pay a monthly subscription. Once you\u2019ve tried Super Cruise, you won\u2019t go back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Speaking of going back, the big Enclave \u2014 like its GM sisters \u2014 offers one of the roomiest back seats in the three-row aisle. Enclave marketer Pam Walz says her two young kids prefer the third row over the second. It\u2019s cozy, has cup and French fry holders, and offers a USB-C port \u00a0for each passenger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I\u2019m with the kids: I like the third row as well. In my case, I like flattening the second-row captain\u2019s chair in front of me and using it as an ottoman for my 6\u20195\u201d frame. Whether working on a laptop off the Buick\u2019s built-in Wi-Fi \u2014 or just relaxing \u2014 there is no better seat in the house.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/09\/18\/PDTN\/75274627007-buick-enclave-autolanechange.jpg?width=990&amp;height=558&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"499\" height=\"281\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"In Super Cruise, the 2025 Buick Enclave will automatically change lanes.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>In Super Cruise, the 2025 Buick Enclave will automatically change lanes.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">GM is my benchmark for good interior ergonomics, but the Enclave makes a coupla curious feature choices. Like its Chevy cousin, it offers volume and station control buttons on the back of the steering wheel. Unlike the Traverse, the cruise control tools on the front of the wheel are not as intuitive \u2014 and are oddly mixed in with a voice recognition button. Drivers may wonder why the headlight controls are in the center screen rather than on the left side of the dash. Or on the left stalk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Overall, though, Enclave is a first-class study in design and value engineering. With up to 523 miles of range, it will get you across the West\u2019s vast spaces without the range anxiety of electric vehicles creeping into GM\u2019s portfolio. And, unlike those 6,000-pound EVs, the Buick\u2019s relatively light, 4,800-pound girth was easy to maneuver, even on Oregon\u2019s twisted mountains roads.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/09\/18\/PDTN\/75274649007-buick-enclave-stside.jpg?width=990&amp;height=536&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"508\" height=\"275\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2025 Buick Enclave is a three-row SUV with captain's chairs in the second row, standard.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_cap gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>The 2025 Buick Enclave is a three-row SUV with captain&#8217;s chairs in the second row, standard.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_mo_crd gnt_em_mo_cc__swd\"><em>Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">With a long journey back to Portland ahead of me, I didn\u2019t linger at the Tillamook creamery. But had my wife and two kids been on board, we would have made an afternoon of it. And when we emerged with an arm-full of cheesy comestibles for when we felt a bit peckish?<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">There\u2019s plenty of storage under the cargo floor in back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Next week: 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid\/Si<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">2025 Buick Enclave<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Vehicle type: Front-engine, front- and all-wheel-drive, six-passenger SUVPrice: $46,395 base, including $1,395 destination fee ($54,043 ST as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Powerplant: 2.5-liter, turbocharged inline-4 cylinder<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Transmission: eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power: 328 horsepower, 326 pound-feet torque<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Performance: 0-60 mph, 6.5 seconds (Car and Driver est.); towing capacity: 5,000 pounds<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Weight: 4,800 pounds (est. AWD)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Fuel economy: EPA est. 20 city\/27 highway\/23 combined (FWD); 19 city\/24 highway\/21 combined (AWD)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Report card<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Highs: Stunning interior, value pricing<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Lows: Course turbo-4; some awkward feature controls<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Overall: 4 stars<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tillamook, Oregon\u00a0\u2014 As Monty Python reminds us, cheddar is the most popular cheese in the world. Tillamook makes some of the world\u2019s best, and its flagship creamery is on Oregon\u2019s Pacific coast. It\u2019s a great destination for a family adventure in, say, the 2025 Buick Enclave. Buick\u2019s flagship SUV offers a lot of goodies for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33384"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33384"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33385,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33384\/revisions\/33385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}