New 2012 Buick Enclave

2012 marks the fifth year of production for the Buick Enclave, and this full-size crossover SUV is still running strong. Only a few small changes have been made since the previous model year, including a completely new way of naming trims. The Enclave competes with other crossovers such as the Volvo XC90 and the Acura MDX.

You’ll find a 288-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 270 pounds-feet of torque under the hood of all 2012 Buick Enclaves. All trims have a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel disc brakes. The Enclave has 115 cubic feet of cargo volume and can tow up to 2,000 pounds, making it a luxurious yet versatile vehicle. Four-wheel drive is available for all trim levels.

The Enclave’s V-6 engine takes regular unleaded fuel and is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, a solid rating for an SUV of its size. Equipping the Enclave with four-wheel drive drops the ratings to 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

You can’t miss the Enclave with its massive chrome grille and HID xenon projector headlights. 19-inch all-season tires are standard, but you can opt for 20-inch all-season tires with chrome-clad aluminum rims. Upgrading to a Premium Group trim will get you articulating headlamps that turn as the car does and power-folding, heated side mirrors. All trims of the Enclave feature a rear power lift gate.

The 2012 Enclave offers a monstrous 154 cubic feet of passenger volume, giving everyone in the family enough space. Second row captain chairs are standard, but can be swapped out with a bench that pushes seating capacity to eight. Some of the few new features in this year’s Enclave are a leather/wood gear shift knob and an accessory power outlet. Bluetooth®, cruise control, OnStar®, satellite radio, and a universal home remote are all standard features. The optional Bose® sound system with a whopping 10 speakers offers superior sound quality and volume, while the also optional navigation system ensures you’ll always know where you’re going.

The Enclave is equipped with Buick’s “All-around air bag system” that includes frontal air bags, side-impact air bags, and side curtain air bags in all rows. OnStar® offers a plethora of safety features ranging from automatic crash response to remote door unlock. Brake assist and hill assist are two new safety features in the 2012 Enclave.

At the end of the day, the Enclave offers power, comfort, and utility with ease. Keep in mind that all of this comes at a price, and base trims of this crossover start at over $36,000. The 2012 Buick Enclave is a solid luxury SUV and makes a great family vehicle.