Jun 5, 2020 - Economy

What we're driving: 2020 Buick Enclave Avenir

Joann Muller

Last week I drove the 2020 Buick Enclave Avenir, a family-sized crossover that proved an important point: it pays to do your homework.

Quick take: The Enclave is an attractive alternative to a minivan, with plenty of space for people and stuff. It's handsome, quiet and comfortable, and it drives well, too.

But when you compare its value to other models in its class, the Enclave doesn't stack up well.
Starting at $40,000, it seems pricey compared to other seven-passenger SUVs.
Yet, at $56,100, the top-tier Avenir I drove can't really compete with traditional luxury SUVs.

That's been the problem with Buick all along — it's a 'tweener that tries to carve out a premium space between mass market brands like Toyota or Honda and luxury marques like Mercedes or Lexus.

My biggest problem with the Enclave — which I really do like — is that active safety technology like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic forward-collision-mitigation braking are only available on the most expensive version.

And you still have to pay $2,095 extra for the Avenir tech package.
If Toyota can offer all that as standard equipment even on its $36,000 base Highlander, why can't Buick?

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What we're driving: 2020 Buick Enclave Avenir

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