• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, April 13, 2026

Editor's Note: This story ran in a previous edition.

Three-row SUVs have become the de facto minivan for busy families, and the 2026 Buick Enclave aims to meet those needs without breaking the bank.

Buick continues to position itself between the mainstream and luxury markets, appealing to customers who want premium features without the steep price tag of traditional luxury brands. Even the top-of-the-line Enclave Avenir, fully equipped, tops out at $67,835 including a $1,995 destination charge, while the base model starts at $46,400.

The seven-passenger SUV offers about 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Fold the second and third rows, and that expands to a generous 97.6 cubic feet.

It’s been just over two years since Buick introduced its “Exceptional by Design” tagline, underscoring a renewed focus on sculptural form and attention to detail.

The brand’s marketing message appears to align with the customer experience. For the second consecutive year, Buick ranked highest among mass-market brands in the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, with the Enclave leading the upper midsize SUV segment.

Buick registered its best sales for calendar year 2025 since 2019. Enclave sales were up 54% -- the model's best sales since 2021 following its redesign. 

While the Enclave delivers plenty of luxury for the price, it falls short in power and fuel efficiency. The SUV returns a combined 21 mpg (20 city/24 highway), and acceleration can feel sluggish, particularly when merging onto the freeway. Some critics note the powertrain sounds “strained” and lacks punch for passing.

The 2.5L turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission occasionally struggles, though the AWD model’s 0–60 mph time of 7.9 seconds is competitive within the segment. Ultimately, performance is adequate for its core mission as a family hauler—it’s not a sports car, nor does it try to be.

On the tech front, Buick shines. Like the recently tested Cadillac Lyriq, Super Cruise performs nearly flawlessly and continues to set the benchmark for hands-free driver assistance systems.