2012 Buick Enclave

The 2012 Buick Enclave is available in four trim levels: Base, Convenience, Leather, and Premium. Buick used to offer the Enclave in the CX and CXL trims, but this year, it is introducing three optional packages that are treated as dedicated trims. Among the features available on the base trim are cruise control, cloth seats, a rearview camera, and LED headlights.

However, if you want to experience additional luxury, then you need to opt for the upper trims, for example, Leather or Premium. Those high-end trims provide heated seats, power-folding mirrors, memory settings, and cooling functions in the front seats.

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We believe if you are getting the 2012 Buick Enclave, you are probably seeking a more luxurious cabin with top-of-the-line comfort features. In this case, the Leather trim fills both of these criteria up perfectly, since the seats are covered with leather. Additionally, the seats are heated and feature a host of other features. The Enclave Leather trim would cost you around $41,225 for the FWD model, while the AWD variant costs around $43,225, both are not that expensive compared to the base model. Therefore, we would highly recommend you to choose the Leather trim.

The 2012 Buick Enclave is offered in four trim levels, each built around the same 3.6L V6 engine with 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission is mated to the engine as standard, which feels smooth overall but does not offer the best downshifting. The buyers can also choose either FWD or AWD drivetrain configuration. You can also make the Enclave capable of towing 4,500 pounds by choosing the Trailer Package which costs around $565 extra.

The ride quality of the Enclave is very good, and the driver will feel very comfortable behind the wheel. It has a steering system that feels sensitive to the input of the driver, and its suspension system is perfectly tuned to give the best experience on broken roads or potholed roads. Even though its engine produces more power and acceleration than most competitors, the numbers aren't as impressive as the Acura MDX's.

Here, the Acura MDX performs exceptionally well. In terms of outright acceleration, the Enclave is also very good but sits just slightly behind the MDX. Going from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in 7.4 seconds is an impressive time for a three-seater SUV. The Lexus RX 350 is also as good as the Buick Enclave, but the MDX comes out on top in all respects. When comparing the price tag, Audi is the most expensive option in the competition.

The 2012 Enclave gets a fair amount of fuel economy but is not as efficient as some of its competitors. In the city, it can travel 16 miles on a gallon of fuel, but on the highway, it can travel 22 miles on for the same. The combined mileage stands at 18 MPG, which is the same as the Acura MDX, but a little lower than the competition. The 2012 Enclave, on the other hand, has a fuel tank capacity of 22 gallons, which is sufficient to last you 484 miles on the highway.

In this comparison, the Lexus RX 350 has a better fuel economy than any other SUV. However, Lexus can't match the Enclave's driving range due to its smaller fuel tank. The 2012 Audi Q7 offers an impressive driving range of 581 miles on the highways, thanks to its whooping 26.4-gallon fuel tank.

With its nice looking and luxurious cabin, it has a lot of comfort and convenience features. This is the strong suit of the 2012 Buick Enclave. Although the Enclave's base trim is not that impressive, the interior really begins to shine once you upgrade to the Leather trim. Furthermore, the materials used in making the cabin are quite premium, and the seats are padded well for a more comfortable ride. In addition, the vehicle features dedicated cup holders in each row. The front seats of the top trims also come with heating and memory functions.

Again, the Enclave is quite well spaced across all rows. Additionally, the captain chairs on the second row give easy access to the third row, which is similar to a bench seat. When all the seats are upright, the vehicle offers 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space. However, when you fold down the third row, the cargo space increases to 65.9 cubic feet. In general, it is a pretty large SUV with ample room inside, and the opulence is a bonus as well.

In the first row, the 2012 Enclave offers ample headroom, but Lexus RX 350 comes with the most legroom. Again, the Enclave has the most headroom and legroom in the rear, and the same is true for the third row. Among all other SUVs, the Lexus RX 350 benefits from the absence of third-row seating, offering 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Standout interior features include:

• Heated front bucket seats
• Leather upholstery
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Driver memory settings
• Heated and ventilated front seats

How intuitive is the 2012 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system?

The 2012 Enclave's infotainment system is less intuitive than you might think, given its upscale cabin. Considering its price tag, it doesn't have some of the features that are supposed to come as standard. A small screen is positioned in the center of the dashboard and comes integrated with Buick’s OnStar Technology. However, the quality and user interface are much more impressive. This SUV is also equipped with a 6 speaker stereo as standard. However, you can upgrade it to a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. Other features include Auxiliary audio input, Radio Data System, and AM/FM stereo. Standout infotainment features include:

• Bluetooth
• OnStar 
• Six-speaker audio system
• Satellite radio
• AM/FM stereo
• 10-speaker Bose premium audio system

The 2012 Buick Enclave hasn't changed much in terms of exterior styling when compared to its predecessors. There's no doubt the bulky design conveys the impression that this is a three-row SUV. Its front grille is also large like its overall body, which fits the SUV's overall characteristics. Although, when it comes to the size of this SUV, it may pose some parking or driving difficulties in areas with a large amount of traffic.

The ground clearance is also quite high, the highest in its class at 8.4 inches. The 2012 Enclave is also the heaviest vehicle in its class, weighing almost 5,000 lbs. Dimensionally, it may look large, but in another way, that's how a 3-seater SUV looks. Although the design language is decent, the design of the headlights & taillights is really strange though.

The 2012 Buick Enclave comes out as the longest car here, followed very closely by the Audi Q7. Moreover, the Enclave has the highest ground clearance in its class at 8.4 inches. It is also too wide, which can cause some issues in city traffic or while parking. The Lexus RX 350 sits on the shorter side and comes with a small wheelbase. Standout exterior features include:

• Fog Lamps
• Roof Rails
• HID Headlights
• Chrome finish
• 19.0-inch aluminum wheels

For more than a decade, Buick has been regarded as one of the most reliable and trusted American brands. Throughout its history, this trust of the consumers has never been breached by the brand. It has been making quality vehicles with a strong focus on safety and reliability. When the 2012 Buick Enclave was taken to the NHTSA's testing grounds, it scored a perfect 5-star rating in the tests, as was expected. On the other hand, the IIHS has rated it “Good” in both frontal offset and side-impact tests. Standout safety features include:

• Post-Collision Safety System
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Engine Immobilizer
• Stability control

The 2012 Buick Enclave has no significant drawbacks that would prevent anyone from buying it. The Enclave has all the features that make it a family-friendly vehicle. In addition to its long-term reliability, Buick has also loaded its SUV with a variety of advanced safety features. However, its competitors such as the Acura MDX are also decent and are even better in some ways. Furthermore, you should check out the 2012 Enclave before making any final decision.