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2011 Buick Enclave

Rating7.9

Ranked #5 in

Compact SUV

Write Review

$35,865 - $44,345

Starting Price

Year

Nathan Dyer

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

Pros	Cons	What's New
Smooth ride quality	Debatable styling	Minor feature updates
Segment best Interior and cargo room	Mediocre fuel economy
Well equipped base trim	Buick reputation
Great safety ratings

Specs & Features

$37,865

price

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.6L 6cyl AWD 6A

engine

basic warranty

Overview

Launched first in 2008 as a premium three-row family crossover, the Buick Enclave hasn’t changed much apart from getting feature updates. The 2011 Buick Enclave also gets a similar treatment this year with the addition and omission of a couple of features. While the 2-way advanced remote start feature is now removed from the options list, the 6-month subscription for the OnStar Directions & Connections is now standard. The 2011 Buick Enclave price starts at $36,675 including the $810 destination fee and sees a price hike of $385 over the previous model year.

Featuring a 3-trim lineup of the Enclave, the 2011 Buick Enclave MSRP can be an expense of $36,675-$45,155 this season. Having said that, it simply translates to the fact that the range-leader 2011 Buick Enclave Premium will cost you $8,480 more than the base Enclave for enhanced specs and assets.

We Recommend

Buick offers most of the necessary creature comforts and safety features right from the base 2011 Buick Enclave CX trim itself. Therefore, we recommend opting for the same and adding the required features through options packages.

The 2011 Buick Enclave interior is pretty spacious to accommodate even larger passengers with ease and offers a sizable cargo space as well. Sharing its platform with the Chevrolet Traverse, the performance and efficiency are also pretty similar for both the GM siblings. The GMC Acadia is another rival sibling which offers a similar experience at a lower price tag. While the Volvo XC90 lacks in terms of performance, it leads in terms of safety & reliability. The Lincoln MKT on the other hand is the most expensive of the lot and offers a spacious and luxurious cabin.

2011 Buick Enclave for sale

The 2011 Enclave is available for sale with lease deals starting at a monthly premium of $540 for a 36-month period with an annual mileage limit of 10,000 miles. The Buick Enclave finance option begins at $555/month for a tenure of 72 months at 4.69% APR. The down payment amount of $3,750 remains the same as last year.

For budget-oriented buyers, the used Buick Enclave can be availed of with a base price of $1,200. Going for older model years like the 2009 Buick Enclave could be a matter of $1,695 and Buick Enclave 2009 can cost as much as $15,975 along with a listing of up to 130 in total.

Buying Advice

Looking at what all the Buick has to offer, the Enclave pretty much has an edge on most of its rivals, even if we take into account the premium that it commands, we would most certainly direct a potential customer towards the base CX trim which comes in extremely well specced. Yes, the higher trims do bring in many value additions, but the fact that even the base trim has most of what one could desire, we doubt many would want to upgrade. Additionally, many of the top-tier features can be added in as optional extras which should essentially prove to be quite the bargain.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

As a flagship Buick SUV, the Enclave aptly serves its maker's cause. It has that premium appeal on the outside and gets an upscale cabin on the inside as well. It can also seat seven occupants in good comfort along with a smooth and supple ride. Apart from these, the Enclave is also rich in premium features, carries a top-notch safety rating, and has ample cargo space to gulp all your weekend luggage. At a starting MSRP of $36,675, the 2011 Buick Enclave may be a bit on the expensive side, but it surely offers one of the best propositions in its segment.

Features
8.0/10

For 2011, the Buick Enclave is available in three trims which are namely, CX, CXL1, and CXL2. The Enclave price range lies between $36,675 and $45,155 which is a reasonable enough spread for a vehicle of its caliber. Although we would have appreciated it if the prices were cheaper by a few grand, the equipment that is available more or less makes up for it. Additionally, each trim also offers an option to upgrade to an AWD setup, however, it comes at a premium of $2,000.

Models	CX	CXL1	CXL2
MSRP (FWD)	$36,675	$39,790	$43,155
MSRP (AWD)	$38,675	$41,790	$45,155
Key Features	19-Inch Alloy Wheels	Leather Upholstery	Active Headlights
	Bi-Xenon Headlights	Heated Power Front Seats	Power-Folding Heated Outside Mirrors
	Fog Lamps	Driver-Seat Memory Functions	Power Tilt-And-Telescoping Steering
	Power Liftgate	Rear Parking Sensors	Ventilated Front Seats
	Heated Outside Mirrors	Back-Up Camera	115-Volt Power Outlet
	Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	Dual-Pane "Skyscape" Sunroof	10-Speaker Bose Surround-Sound

We Recommend

Looking at what all the Buick has to offer, the Enclave pretty much has an edge on most of its rivals, even if we take into account the premium that it commands, we would most certainly direct a potential customer towards the base CX trim which comes in extremely well specced. Yes, the higher trims do bring in many value additions, but the fact that even the base trim has most of what one could desire, we doubt many would want to upgrade. Additionally, many of the top-tier features can be added in as optional extras which should essentially prove to be quite the bargain.

Engine and Performance
7.0/10

The 3.6-liter V6 that powers the 2011 Buick Enclave produces a decent 288 bhp and 270 lb-ft. of torque which is just enough to get this vehicle going. Although on paper the numbers could seem a little meek, when driving around the Enclave as it is meant to, it does reward you with a smooth and effortless ride. You might not be winning any drag races on your next spotlight, but the Enclave has enough of a spring in its step to keep you wafting along with the city and even on the highway without much thought.

The 6-speed automatic transmission is also smooth and fast enough to not spoil the overall recipe of the Enclave thereby reducing fatigue when puttering about town. The AWD option that is available throughout the range should also come in handy for the people that reside in regions with harsher winters or some truly terrible roads as the AWD is enough to tackle most soft-roading needs. The optional trailer package also makes the Enclave capable enough to pull 4500 pounds of load which is rather commendable.

Models	2011 Buick Enclave	2011 GMC Acadia SUV	2011 Volvo XC90	2011 Lincoln MKT
MSRP	$36,675	$32,000	$38,400	$44,300
Engine	3.6-liter V6	3.6-liter V6	3.2-liter inline-6	3.7-liter V6
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Horsepower (hp @ rpm)	288 @ 6300	288 @ 6300	235 @ 6200	268 @ 6250
Torque (ft-lb @ rpm)	270 @ 3400	270 @ 3400	236 @ 3200	267 @ 4250
0-60 Mph (sec)	7.4	7.3	8.9	8.1
Quarter Mile (sec)	15.9	15.4	16.7	15.9
Top Speed	130	115	118	N/A

With a 0-60 time of 7.4 seconds, the Enclave comes in just behind its sibling the GMC Acadia which is to be expected, as the Acadia is a tad lighter as well. Both the siblings manage to trump their competitors, thanks to a significant power advantage which shows when you are driving them sedately as well. While the Lincoln MKT falls marginally short in the 60mph run, the Volvo XC90 records a time of 8.9 seconds, which is considerably slower than all of its competitors.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

An EPA estimate of 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG out on the highway does mean that the Enclave isn’t as economical as many would like since it trails the entire pack and drops dead last. The higher gear ratios on the automatic transmission and the Enclave’s notorious habit of upshifting too early had us believe that it might return stellar numbers but alas that is not the case. The AWD variants have even worse numbers to showcase while if you are planning on towing with your enclave, you can pretty much bid adieu to your fuel tank.

Models	2011 Buick Enclave	2011 GMC Acadia SUV	2011 Volvo XC90	2011 Lincoln MKT
City	16	16	16	17
Highway	24	24	22	23
Combined	20	20	18	19
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons)	22	22	21.1	18.6
Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)	352/528/440	352/528/440	337.6/464.2/379.8	316.2/427.8/353.4

Among the competition here, both the Enclave and Acadia are more efficient in terms of fuel economy, and thanks to their bigger fuel tanks they also manage to offer more range than their competitors which does result in fewer trips to the gas station after all. Their combined ranges of 440 miles each are almost 100 miles above what the Lincoln and Volvo average.

Interior
9.0/10

On the interior front, the Enclave does make a substantial impression. The foremost thing that one notices is the ample cabin room avaiLable. Even the third row can house adults comfortably which not many cars in the segment can boast of. Not to forget the upscale interior presentation with the beige upholstery only adding to the ambiance. The dashboard design is also quite ergonomic and does stand out as well built since there is a generous slather of soft-touch materials and wood inlays.

The one thing that kind of irks the buyer is the AC vent designs which are a little too quirky for a vehicle of the Enclave’s caliber and instead of feeling cohesive, can stand out like a sore thumb. The seats in each of the three rows are remarkably comfortable and offer decent bolstering even in the last row. The first two rows virtually have no flaws whatsoever, and the last row manages to mask most of the problems that a typical last row seating suffers from, making Enclave’s claim of accommodating 7 passengers something that we can happily digest.

Models	2011 Buick Enclave	2011 GMC Acadia SUV	2011 Volvo XC90	2011 Lincoln MKT
Passenger Capacity	7	8	7	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (inches)	40.4/62/41.3	40.4/61.9/41.3	39.7/58.3/41.0	40.1/58.6/41.3
2nd Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (inches)	39/61.4/36.9	39.3/61.1/36.9	38.4/57.4/34.6	39/58.1/41.8
3rd Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (inches)	37.2/57.4/33.2	38.4/57.8/33.2	35.5/54.1/30.1	33.5/49.1/33
Cargo Capacity to 3rd row (cubic feet)	23.3	24.1	8.8	N/A
Cargo Capacity to 2nd row (cubic feet)	86.9	68.9	43.3	17.9
Cargo capacity to 1st row (cubic feet)	115	116.9	85.1	75.9

The Buick and GMC simply annihilate their competition when it comes to space both in-cabin and cargo as they have a considerable leg up on their competition. All the added room proves to make these vehicles that bit more practical which is what most buyers are looking for in this segment. However, the 2011 Lincoln MKT does have remarkable legroom in the second row, however, it can only seat five passengers in comparison.

Some of the Buick’s notable interior features are as follows:

Vinyl upholstery
Leather steering wheel
Electric power steering
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Keyless Ignition
Interior air filtration
Optional second-row captain seats

How intuitive is the 2011 Buick Enclave’s Infotainment unit?

The touch screen head unit on the 2011 Buick Enclave proves to be a decent offering as it has a predictable interface and isn’t too much of a pain to navigate around. With features such as high-quality Bluetooth streaming, in-built navigation, and satellite radio support, we would be hard-pressed to not dub it feature-rich.

The 6 speaker stock audio system does a tremendous job at producing some clear vocals and definitive separation but if you are a true audiophile then stepping up to the optional 10-speaker Bose audio system is a must.

Some of the noteworthy features on the Enclave’s infotainment are mentioned below:

Adjustable speed-sensitive volume control
3 months of satellite radio service
Bluetooth audio
Optional navigation system
Radio data system
Auxiliary audio input

Exterior
8.0/10

One of the few things that are personally not up to everyone’s taste in the Enclave has got to be its exterior styling. Although many tend to love how it looks, there is a section of buyers who don’t approve the same. The waterfall grille design coupled with the headlights lends the otherwise brilliant vehicle a stubby front end that somewhat resembles a raccoon which isn’t what we appreciate for a luxury vehicle.

The heavy chrome treatment, van-like proportions, and an overall quirky exterior make the Buick’s silhouette a little too in your face which isn’t to our taste but could be to yours! However, the subtle body creases do try hard to add some character to its profile.

Type	2011 Buick Enclave	2011 GMC Acadia SUV	2011 Volvo XC90	2011 Lincoln MKT
Curb Weight (lbs)	4780	4656	4851	4871
Length (inches)	202	201	189.3	207.6
Width (inches)	79	78	74.7	76
Height (inches)	70	73	70.2	67.4
Ground Clearance (inches)	8	7	8.9	N/A
Wheelbase (inches)	119	119	112.6	117.9

The Buick is the largest vehicle overall in the pack and the hefty weight that tags alongside it can prove to be a little troublesome when maneuvering it around. The higher ground clearance does lend some peace of mind but doesn’t expect to take the Enclave off-road any day as we highly doubt the Buick’s AWD would come in clutch for anything more than the occasional snow on the road. The MKT however, is the longest and resembles more of a wagon-like stance, it's also the heaviest of the lot.

Some of the more notable exterior features on the Buick are as follows:

Sculpted ellipsoid headlights
Waterfall grille and louvered gills
Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels/ 20-inch chrome-clad wheels optional
Dual exhaust

Safety
9.0/10

With a 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA and an overall “Good” rating from the IIHS, we are glad to report that the 2011 Buick Enclave doesn’t disappoint even when it comes to safety. The fact that the IIHS has also dubbed it a “TOP SAFETY PICK” vehicle after the recent revisions to its testing standards is a huge win for Buick. The Enclave manages to not only come with some great safety features, but from its very inception, Buick has managed to make the Enclave great at resisting topple overs and the overall construction of its shell does give it an edge over its rivals.

Some of the key Safety features are:

4-wheel ABS
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Child Safety Locks
Traction Control

Final Verdict

The 2011 Buick Enclave is a solid deal for most buyers that are looking for a decently luxurious high riding vehicle that can haul people or load at your wish. There are very few candidates that can do what the Enclave can which makes it quite easy to recommend this Buick. Although we find it a tad hard to digest the Enclave’s exterior styling, it might not be a deal-breaker for most and to those, the Enclave would be a great choice!

Trims

CX
$35,865 onwards

19-inch machined aluminum Wheels
60-40 split-bench Third row seats
A-Spec Sport Seats
Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
Front Fog/driving lights
Front passenger Lumbar support
Heated mirrors
Premium cloth Seat trim
Rear air conditioning with controls
Remote keyless entry

CXL1
$38,980 onwards

1St row LCD monitor
Front passengers heated-cushion
Leather Seat trim
Ultrasonic Parking assist

CXL2
$42,345 onwards

19-inch aluminum Wheels

2011 Buick Enclave vs competitor's 0-60

Car Name	0-60 MPH	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
2011 Buick Enclave Ranked #11	7.5 sec	16 sec	114 mph
2011 Infiniti FX50 Ranked #1	5.3 sec	13.7 sec	-
2011 Infiniti FX35 Ranked #2	5.8 sec	14.5 sec	-
2011 BMW X5 Ranked #3	6 sec	14.7 sec	130 mph
2011 Porsche Cayenne Ranked #4	6.2 sec	14.9 sec	132 mph
2011 GMC Yukon Ranked #5	6.5 sec	14.3 sec	118 mph

Car Name	MPG City	MPG Highway	MPG Combined	Fuel Tank Capacity	Range (C/H)
2011 Buick Enclave Ranked #6	17 mpg	24 mpg	19 mpg	22 gal.	374/528 mi.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Ranked #1	22 mpg	32 mpg	26 mpg	18.8 gal.	413.6/601.6 mi.
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Ranked #2	23 mpg	28 mpg	25 mpg	16.6 gal.	381.8/464.8 mi.
2011 Toyota Highlander Ranked #3	20 mpg	25 mpg	22 mpg	19.2 gal.	384/480 mi.
2011 Lexus RX 350 Ranked #4	18 mpg	25 mpg	21 mpg	19.2 gal.	345.6/480 mi.
2011 Ford Edge Ranked #4	19 mpg	26 mpg	21 mpg	18 gal.	342/468 mi.

2011 Buick Enclave vs competitor's dimensions

Car Name	Length	Width	Height	Ground Clearance	Wheelbase
2011 Buick Enclave Ranked #6	201.8 in.	79 in.	72.5 in.	8.4 in.	118.9 in.
2011 Chevrolet Suburban Ranked #1	222.4 in.	79.1 in.	76.8 in.	9.1 in.	130 in.
2011 GMC Yukon XL Ranked #1	222.4 in.	79.1 in.	76.8 in.	8.9 in.	130 in.
2011 Nissan Armada Ranked #2	207.7 in.	79.3 in.	77.2 in.	9.8 in.	123.2 in.
2011 Toyota Sequoia Ranked #3	205.1 in.	79.9 in.	77 in.	9.9 in.	122 in.
2011 Chevrolet Traverse Ranked #4	205 in.	78.4 in.	70.4 in.	7.2 in.	118.9 in.

2011 Buick Enclave vs competitor's trunk space

Car Name	Trunk Capacity	Passenger Volume	Max Trunk Volume
2011 Buick Enclave Ranked #12	23.3 cu.ft.	153 cu.ft.	115 cu.ft.
2011 Volvo XC90 Ranked #1	8.8 cu.ft.	-	170.4 cu.ft.
2011 Toyota Sequoia Ranked #2	18.9 cu.ft.	-	120.1 cu.ft.
2011 Chevrolet Traverse Ranked #3	24.4 cu.ft.	153.1 cu.ft.	116.4 cu.ft.
2011 GMC Yukon Ranked #4	16.9 cu.ft.	-	108.9 cu.ft.
2011 Mazda CX-9 Ranked #5	17.2 cu.ft.	139.4 cu.ft.	100.7 cu.ft.

2011 Buick Enclave vs competitor's cargo space

Car Name	Cargo Volume	Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area	Max Cargo Volume	Bed Length
2011 Buick Enclave Ranked #1	73 cu.ft.	23.3 cu.ft.	115 cu.ft.	-
2011 Toyota Highlander Ranked #2	95.4 cu.ft.	10.3 cu.ft.	95.4 cu.ft.	-
2011 BMW X5 Ranked #3	27.1 cu.ft.	23.2 cu.ft.	75.2 cu.ft.	73 ft.
2011 Cadillac SRX Ranked #4	30.4 cu.ft.	29.8 cu.ft.	61.1 cu.ft.	-
2011 Infiniti FX35 Ranked #5	8.9 cu.ft.	24.8 cu.ft.	62 cu.ft.	-
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser Ranked #6	66.8 cu.ft.	27.9 cu.ft.	66.8 cu.ft.	-

2011 Buick Enclave vs competitor's towing capacity

Car Name	Towing Capacity	Payload Capacity	Weight
2011 Buick Enclave Ranked #14	4500 lbs.	1631 lbs.	4780 lbs.
2011 GMC Yukon Ranked #1	8500 lbs.	1673 lbs.	5636 lbs.
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Ranked #1	8500 lbs.	1774 lbs.	5636 lbs.
2011 Toyota Land Cruiser Ranked #2	8200 lbs.	1510 lbs.	5765 lbs.
2011 Nissan Armada Ranked #2	8200 lbs.	1728 lbs.	5372 lbs.
2011 Chevrolet Suburban Ranked #3	8100 lbs.	1519 lbs.	5607 lbs.

2011 Buick Enclave SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

Recalls

Investigations

210

Complaints

Overall Safety Rating

2011 Buick Enclave

Horsepower : 288 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 19 mpg

0-60 : 7.5 sec

2011 Buick Lucerne

Horsepower : 227 hp @ 5700 rpm

MPG Combined : 21 mpg

0-60 : 7.6 sec

2011 Buick LaCrosse

Horsepower : 182 hp @ 6700 rpm

MPG Combined : 23 mpg

0-60 : 9 sec

2011 Buick Regal

Horsepower : 182 hp @ 6700 rpm

MPG Combined : 23 mpg

0-60 : 8.2 sec

2011 Buick Enclave User Reviews

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Lisha mcdonald

2010 Buick Enclave

CX 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: July 27, 2024

All around love ours

Pros - ["Third row seating", "Luxury model", "Good on gas"]

Cons - ["The radio amplifier likes to go out", "Some parts are expensive to replace", "You cannot leave the rear air on if you turn the front seat air off"]

When started car shopping I knew I wanted a third row vehicle I had already on the Dodge journey and a GMC Arcadia I like the way this one looks looks more luxury all leather for the kids is sake so very easy to clean I also like that the backseat was captain chairs so there was a space to get into the third row without having to lay a seat down or climb over the seat The radio amplifier did go o...

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