2009 Buick Enclave CX FWD Three
Strikes for Buick Reviewed
by Susan Frissell |
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Buick's first luxury
crossover. Best in class fuel economy ratings. Quieter than Acrura MDX,
Volvo XC90 and Lexus RX350 and MB R Class. More interior space than
the competition, including segment-best room behind the third-row seat,
Refined ³heritage forward² design with exceptional attention to detail
and quality, Priced to challenge its luxury competitors, Key standard
features include a new 6-speed trans, six standard airbags, power liftgate, STabiliTrak
electronic stabil control system with rollover mitigation technology,
traction control, XM Satellite Radio, ONStar with Turn-by-Turn voice-guided
navigation, etc.
Our test car came equipped
with following options: White Diamond tricoat $795, Driver Confidence
Package (remote start, ultrasonic rear parking assist, Heated windshield
washer fluid, $520), 18-inch machined alum wheels, $225, 8 passenger
seating with 2nd and 3rd row split bench seat, $495 Cloth seats, captain's
chairs third row, 7-pass seating, remote keyless entry, tire pressure
monitoring system, power steering with var assist, dual exhaust with
chrome tips, 1 year onStar directions with turn-by-turn nav High intensity
discharge projectyor headlamps, front fog lamps, windows, power express,
heated outside mirrors with turn signal, power seat adjust driver, 6-way;
passenger 2-way, tri-zone climate control, inside rearview mirror with
auto dimming and compass, universal home remote, whel with audio controls,
tilt /telescoping steering wheel. Standard equipment
on the Enclave includes Xenon HID Headlamps, rollover capable head curtain
side air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover
mitigation technology, Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction
control, Power liftgate, XM Satellite radio, 3-row seating, AM/FM/XM/CD
radio with MP3 capability and 6-speaker sound, Mahogany wood and leather
steering wheel, Smart Slide second row seat, Quiet Tuning, OnStar with
Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Options available include
AWD, Navigation system with rear backup camera, Rear-seat DVDE system
with Bose premium t.1 Surround Sound and 10 speakers, Sunroof with skylight,
Second-row floor console, Bench or bucket seating arrangement for 2nd
and 3rd rows, Driver Confidence Package with Rear Parking Assist, remote
vehicle starting and heated washer fluid (CX, CXL), Luxury Package with
articulating headlamps, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power
folding outside rearview mirrors (CXL), 20-inch dealer-installed chrome
wheels. Power sunroof with 2nd row skylight, $1,300. We found that the A
pillar blocked views when looking to the right. The steering wheel itself
seemed overly large, almost retro. The seat, however, were comfortable
and form-fitting, able to be adjusted in several ways to accommodate
most drivers. The sound system was exceptional, even if it was a little
difficult to figure out. Overall, Buick Enclave's
styling is attractive and fresh, appealing to those who are looking
for a more upscale large SUV. Competition for the
Enclave includes Acura MDX, Lexus RX350, Volvo XC90, as well as its
own stablemates, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. |
| SPECS MSRP: $32,790; total vehicle price $35,870; destination $735; options
$2,345 Engine: 3.6-liter VVT V6, 275 horsepower, 251 lb.ft.torque Transmission: Hydra-matic 6T756-speed automatic with manual shift control.
FWD Wheelbase: 119 in. Width: 79 in. Turning circle: 40.4 Weight: 4780 FWD; 4985 AWD Length: 201.5 in. EPA Fuel Economy: 16/24 mpg. (FWD); 16/22 mpg. (AWD) Wheels: 18-inch standard on CX;
19-inch on CXL. Machined aluminum Warranty: 5 yr/100,000-year powertrain, 4 yr/50,000-mile bumper to bumper Location of Final Assembly: Lansing Delta Township, Lansing, MI |
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