Buick Enclave

The large, three-row Buick Enclave underwent a full redesign for 2018. It provides improved fuel economy, more space, and a variety of safety and connectivity features. Power comes from a lively 3.6-liter V6 teamed with a smooth, responsive nine-speed automatic. We got 18 mpg overall in our tests. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. The roomy cabin is very quiet and the ride is comfortable, befitting a Buick flagship. The third-row seat is relatively roomy for the class. The infotainment system is easy to use, but the unintuitive shifter is a nuisance in parking maneuvers. A manual sunshade for the sunroof and only a two-way lumbar adjustment for the seat are odd, given the price. Low-speed automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning are standard, though only on top versions costing more than $50,000.

The Buick Enclave is a large, car-based SUV with three rows of seats. It shares a platform with the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook. All use GM's contemporary 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that is a bit hesitant to downshift. We found the ride comfortable and quiet, and the powertrain smooth. Handling is secure and pretty agile for such a big vehicle. The third-row seat is roomy enough for adults. Fit and finish are excellent. Fuel economy was slightly worse in the heavier Enclave than in our tested Traverse. A revised version with an improved infotainment system and the industry's first center airbag between the front seats debuted for 2013.