Saturday, 26 March 2011

2010 Buick Enclave Review

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2010 Buick Enclave CX
MSRP: $35,465
Engine: 3.6L V6
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: FWD, AWD
Fuel Type: Gas
Curb Weight: 4,780 lbs.

Review

Although General Motors has had some trouble at their corporate offices lately, they still are putting out good vehicles. The 2010 Buick Enclave makes an excellent vehicle for a family car. It offers plenty of room for people and cargo, is safe, and offers luxury features. This new car guide will help you decide whether the Enclave is right for you. Included are photos, specs, road test information, and information from actual owner auto reviews.
The 2010 Buick Enclave is available in three trim levels: the CX, CXL1 and the CXL2. They all seat seven, with captain's chairs in the second row, and a bench seat in the third row. A second row bench seat, which is available as an option for no additional cost, will increase the seating to eight. Car pricing starts with an MSRP of $35,165, and an invoice price of $33,407.

Improvements from the 2009 Enclave

For the new model year, the 2010 Buick Enclave now offers the new CXL2 trim; 19-inch wheels are now standard. There have been a few changes to the equipment. The optional Bose stereo now has a USB input.

Performance

The 2010 Buick Enclave comes equipped with a 3.6 liter, 288 horsepower V6 engine that produces 270 pound-feet of torque. It is available in either front-wheel or four-wheel drive, and comes with a standard six-speed automatic transmission. With the right hook ups (there is a trailer package available), the Enclave can tow 4,500 pounds. The Enclave can accelerate adequately in any situation. It has an excellent, smooth ride quality, with balanced steering and powerful brakes. It can be difficult to handle in small spaces. The engine is quiet at cruising speed, and wind noise is well-controlled.

Exterior Features

Many like the look of the 2010 Buick Enclave. The base model comes with 19-inch machined alloy wheels, fog lamps, bi-xenon headlights, a power lift gate, and heated mirrors. The CXL1 has the same exterior features, while the CXL2 adds active headlights and power-folding heated mirrors. Other standard exterior features include roof rails, rear window wipers, and daytime running lights.

Interior Features

The interior of the 2010 Buick Enclave has an upscale feeling to it. Wood-grain inlays, chrome trim, and a leather and wood steering wheel complement the interior, which has several luxurious features included. The vehicle offers plenty of legroom in both the front and rear seats. Interior features include power front seats, cloth upholstery, three-zone automatic temperature control. An XM satellite radio with a CD player, mp3 capability, steering wheel audio controls, and an auxiliary audio input is also included. Bluetooth compatibility and Onstar vehicle assistance is also included. The upgraded CXL1 trim adds leather upholstery, heated front seats with driver memory, a rear parking sensor, and a backup camera. The CXL2 trim comes with a Bose surround sound system with USB audio input.

Safety & Specifications

The 2010 Buick Enclave performed well on governmental crash tests, scoring five (out of five) stars on both front and side impact crash tests. The Enclave comes with driver and front passenger airbags, side impact airbags, and side curtain airbags in all three rows. Stability and traction control, antilock brakes, and a low tire pressure warning are standard car safety features. The vehicle also comes equipped with a front and rear anti-roll bar. A content theft deterrent alarm system, ignition disable, stolen vehicle tracking, and theft deterrent radio keep the vehicle safe from thieves.

Upgrade Options

The upgrades that are available on the 2010 Buick Enclave vary depending on what trim level you buy. You can upgrade a CX with the Bose stereo system, but three packages are only available on the CXL1 and CXL2 models: the rear seat entertainment package, the navigation package, and the combined package. The rear seat entertainment package offers Bose audio, rear audio controls, an eight-inch flip down viewing screen, and a DVD player. The navigation package offers Bose audio, a back-up camera, and a navigation system. The back-up camera, remote ignition, and rear parking sensors can be purchased as individual options on the CX. The CXL1 and CXL2 can be upgraded with a dual-paned sunroof or a storage console in the second row that contains a 12 volt power outlet. Towing preparation is available as an option on all models.

How the 2010 Enclave Compares to Other Midsize SUVs

The 2010 Buick Enclave has been heralded as a great vehicle by many vehicles in the automotive press. The Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership (for the 2009 model, the 2010 model's costs have not been computed yet) is $51,638, and has been labeled an "above average" value. Intellichoice gave the Enclave awards for "lowest fuel costs", "lowest maintenance costs", and "lowest operating costs". Car insurance costs for the first five years are estimated to run about $1482 per year for the first five years. The EPA's estimated fuel efficiency is 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Consumer Digest labeled the Enclave "Best Buy". The J.D. Power Quality Ratings awarded to the Enclave are a little less enthusiastic, but still not bad: the Enclave received two and a half (out of five) power circles for overall initial quality, four circles for overall performance and design, and three and a half power circles for predicted reliability. The vehicle comes with a four year, 50,000 mile basic warranty; a five year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty; a six year, 100,000 mile corrosion warranty; and six years or 100,000 miles of roadside assistance.
The 2010 Buick Enclave is an excellent vehicle, but if $35,000 is a little too steep for you, there are other excellent vehicles in its competition. The Chevrolet Traverse is another excellent vehicle that gets similar gas mileage and has an MSRP of $29,224. The Toyota Venza starts with an MSRP of $26,275 and gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Ford Flex is smaller and more maneuverable, and is a great car if you don't need to drive around so many passengers.

Conclusion: Is the 2010 Buick Enclave a Smart Buy?

Larger families looking for an affordable midsize SUV should really check out the 2010 Buick Enclave. It gets great gas mileage, is roomy, and has great features. Car reviews from owners often rave about the vehicle, offering comments like "rides like a dream" and "this is a great car to drive". It may be a little large for some, but it is a great car for many buyers.

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