Test Drive: 2009 Buick Enclave CX FWD

The ride is pliant – this is a Buick, after all – but it’s well-balanced, and doesn’t get wallowy or sloppy, even around corners. Steering is accurate, if a little numb, and it tracks straight on the highway, without any need for correction. The brakes are firm and confident; anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard, of course, as are six airbags. Overall, the impression is that you’re just driving a large Buick sedan. That won’t hold much appeal for sportier-car fans, but then, that isn’t the market General Motors is targeting here. This is how you get a group of your friends to the country club in comfort, and for that, it’s a fantastic vehicle. It’s also incredibly quiet, with enough sound-deadening that road and wind noise are effectively out of the picture.

2009 Buick Enclave CX FWD. Click image to enlarge

Published fuel economy is 12.7 L/100 km in the city, and 8.4 on the highway; in combined driving, I averaged 13.7. The official numbers put it about the middle of the pack among its competitors. The bottom line is that it’s going to cost you to move around a vehicle this large, but on the other hand, this newer breed of car-based SUVs gets better mileage overall than the truck-based three-row models that used to be pretty much it, such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Chrysler Aspen.

The interior is put together quite well, and the styling conforms to Buick tradition, with real tree on the steering wheel, and look-alike wood everywhere else. Those fonder of the high-tech look will probably shudder at it, but I found it attractive. Centre stack controls are easy to use, topped by a chrome-ringed clock; the centre console slides ahead and back, and a second one can be ordered that fits between the middle-row captain’s chairs.

These vehicles are all about hauling, starting with a 50-cm-long cargo space with all the seats up, and a large storage compartment under the floor. The third row folds to form a cargo floor that’s 123 cm long, while the second-row captain’s chairs fold flat to a full length of 205 cm. It’s a maximum of 3,290 litres, which outranks all of its three-row competitors.

The Traverse and Acadia probably get the lion’s share of buyer attention, simply by virtue of their lower starting price. Still, those who look over to the Buick side of the showroom won’t be disappointed. All three are very good vehicles, but it’s that extra touch of luxury that makes this worthy of a test drive.

Pricing: 2009 Buick Enclave CX FWD Base price: $42,805 Options: $255 (remote starter) A/C tax: $100 Freight: $1,300 Price as tested: $44,460 Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives Specifications Specifications: 2009 Buick Enclave Competitors Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Acura MDX Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Chrysler Aspen Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Ford Flex Buyer’s Guide: 2009 GMC Acadia Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Honda Pilot Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Hyundai Veracruz Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Mazda CX-9 Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Nissan Pathfinder Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Subaru Tribeca Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Toyota Highlander Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Volvo XC90 Crash test results National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Related posts:

1. What’s New: 2009 Buick Enclave
2. Test Drive: 2009 Buick Enclave CX FWD
3. What’s New: 2010 Buick Enclave
4. Day-by-Day Review: 2009 Buick Enclave CX
5. Buyer's Guide: 2009 Buick Enclave