2026 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD Assessment & Check Drive : Automotive Addicts

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Buick has lengthy understood the attraction of a giant three-row crossover that feels just a bit extra upscale than the mainstream crowd, and the Enclave continues to play that function fairly effectively. After its full redesign final 12 months, the 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD builds on that sturdy basis by leaning additional into premium touches, higher journey refinement, and a extra convincing near-luxury character. It nonetheless matches the identical mildew of a spacious household hauler for suburban life, however in Avenir trim, there’s a extra deliberate effort to make the Enclave really feel particular past simply its measurement and lengthy record of options.

Underneath the hood, the system stays conversant in the identical turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque by means of an 8-speed computerized transmission. It’s nonetheless a robust powertrain on paper and in observe, shifting the Enclave with sufficient authority that you simply hardly ever really feel brief on thrust. Round city and on the freeway, the torque comes on effectively sufficient to make this huge crossover really feel lighter than it’s. The draw back is identical concern I discovered earlier than within the decrease ST trim, and that’s the engine’s coarse sound underneath acceleration. It by no means fairly matches the premium vibe Buick goes for, particularly as a result of the remainder of the automobile does a decent job isolating passengers from street and wind noise. Fortunately, as soon as you agree right into a cruise, the cabin calms down and the Enclave returns to feeling just like the refined long-distance household automobile it needs to be.

Gasoline economic system seemingly may very well be higher contemplating we’re nonetheless working with a turbo 4-cylinder engine. The great half is you’ll don’t have any concern hitting the EPA estimates of 20 mpg metropolis, 24 mpg freeway, and 21 mpg mixed all in the true world. The 19.4-gallon gas tank full of normal unleaded offers you a freeway cruising vary of about 485 miles.

The place the Avenir begins to separate itself extra clearly from the ST I drove final 12 months is in its journey high quality. The addition of adaptive dampers does make a noticeable distinction, notably in how the suspension reacts to smaller imperfections and floor modifications. The system appears to make delicate changes in actual time, and that added polish helps the Avenir really feel smoother and a contact extra composed than the already comfy ST. It doesn’t rework the Enclave right into a full luxurious SUV, but it surely completely provides one other layer of refinement that patrons stepping as much as the highest trim ought to recognize. Physique motions stay effectively managed, the steering is simple sufficient for day by day driving, and the AWD setup provides welcomed confidence when pulling away exhausting or coping with less-than-ideal street situations.

Inside, the Avenir trim does essentially the most to justify itself. The general structure remains to be one of many Enclave’s strengths, with a large and open cabin, a helpful quantity of passenger room, and one of many higher executions of Buick’s newest inside design language. The 30-inch show stays the point of interest, stretching throughout the sprint with an built-in look that feels fashionable with out being too flashy. Among the infotainment quirks are nonetheless current, particularly relating to how sure features and digicam views use the accessible display screen house, however the system is mostly straightforward to determine. It’s nonetheless complicated to have the 360-degree digicam show space being so small in such a big display screen.

In Avenir kind, the cabin ambiance will get a significant carry because of the contrasting inside therapy with blue accents and aluminum trim, which provides the house a richer and extra distinctive persona. Mixed with the additional soft-touch supplies, higher detailing, and upgraded presentation, that is the model of the Enclave that almost all convincingly delivers on Buick’s premium intentions.

The Enclave Avenir AWD additionally continues to verify the precise bins relating to family-friendly tech and security. Tremendous Cruise stays one of many standout options, and it continues to be one of many higher hands-free freeway driving programs accessible right this moment, working easily and with a degree of confidence that makes lengthy interstate drives simpler to handle. Add within the anticipated energetic security tools, beneficiant passenger house, usable cargo capability, and respectable effectivity for one thing this huge, and the Enclave stays a sensible alternative on this phase.

As examined, this 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD got here in at $65,440, together with the Tremendous Cruise package deal, all-wheel drive, the Illumination Package deal, and the $1,895 vacation spot cost. That may be a significant leap over the ST, however the further sense of polish, the richer cabin therapy, and the adaptive dampers assist make the Avenir really feel like a extra full expression of what the brand new Enclave was aiming to be from the beginning.

Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice within the automotive media world for over 20 years. With 20+ years of hands-on expertise overlaying the business, Malcolm has constructed a repute for delivering trustworthy critiques, sharp insights, and in-depth protection of every little thing from new automobile debuts to high-performance take a look at drives. Passionate in regards to the evolving automobile tradition and staying forward of the curve, Malcolm continues to steer Automotive Addicts as a go-to vacation spot for fanatics and business insiders alike.