If you’re looking for a three-row SUV for your family and you prefer a luxurious ride and upscale appearance, the 2022 Buick Enclave deserves your consideration. Buick has shorn away all the sedans from its lineup to focus entirely on its luxury SUV models, and the new Enclave is decidedly elegant for the increased attention. It features seating for seven, more cargo space than its luxury counterparts, and has increased its standard technology in order to make modern life just a bit more convenient. Whether you want to stay on a budget or go for the premium Avenir trim, the 2022 Enclave offers a plethora of comforts at a range of prices for buyers who want to transport their family in style.
Space and Versatility
The interior space of the 2022 Buick Enclave makes this SUV one of the roomiest in its segment, with seating for seven and ample storage for cargo. Seating in the Enclave is set up with two bucket seats in the front, two captain’s chairs in the second row, and a bench seat for three in the third row. Buick knows how to make passengers comfortable with plenty of space to stretch while you travel, and the 2022 Enclave is no exception. Even tall passengers should be comfortable in the second row of seats with its 39 inches of legroom, and the third row will suit kids or medium-sized adults with its 35.5 inches of legroom.
Three-row SUVs in this segment often suffer from a lack of cargo space in the rear with all the seats in place, but Buick manages to make the most of its size with intelligent design. In the rear, 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space is available, which far exceeds what you get in any sedan, and also bests the space available in other SUVs in the segment. So, even with all your seats full, you can still go out shopping and have room for your bags and boxes. In those times when you need to transport large items, the 2022 Enclave has up to 97.6 cubic feet of available space when all the seats are folded down. Most couches don’t take up that much space. Of course, the Enclave is versatile in its seating configurations, so you can fold down the seats you need to accommodate items of virtually any size while leaving others in place for your passengers.
Modern Convenience
Driving a Buick is always an experience in both practicality and convenience, with luxury-level features and remarkable build quality that elevate your time on the road. It’s a lifestyle decision to enjoy the good things in life with the ease that’s incorporated into a Buick like the Enclave. Before you even open the doors, features like the available hands-free liftgate make activating the hatch more convenient – simply wave your foot over the Buick logo projected on the ground beneath the rear bumper, and the liftgate will open automatically. This handy feature is found on the mid-level Essence trim, though even the standard features for the entry-level Preferred trim are generous.
For the tech-minded crowd, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are found on all trims, and wireless charging is available for the Avenir trim to make using your phone in the Enclave entirely cord-free. Using the standard eight-inch touchscreen is relatively intuitive, and connectivity features like WiFi and navigation can be accessed through the system. Passengers can also utilize the Marketplace feature – this in-vehicle app will let you locate places to eat, get gas, or even find a parking space and pay for it all without leaving your vehicle. When you arrive at the location, you can simply pick up your meal, pump your pre-paid gas, or park with the service already arranged. Using this service is a complementary feature of the connected services that come with the Enclave.
If you have to travel with a full vehicle, having chargers throughout the vehicle makes a difference in how easily passengers can use their electronic devices. All three rows of the 2022 Enclave have two USB ports for charging, so no matter where you sit, you can stay connected. Buyers seeking the premium offerings that can only be found in the Avenir trim will be treated to a 10-speaker Bose audio system and HD radio to upgrade the sound quality. Other premium conveniences of the Avenir trim include a panoramic sunroof which allows all three rows of seats to have a view of the sky, and a surround-view camera system, which makes parking safer and easier with camera angles that split to show all sides of the Enclave.
This year, Buick chose to reduce the space taken by a shift knob in the center console, changing it out for an electronic shift system that is engaged by pushing a button to select a gear. Because the shift system is flat, access to the center stack storage and climate control is unimpeded. Even though driving your SUV may often be focused on daily errands and commuting, the Enclave can readily handle going on vacation, too. With up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability, the 2022 Enclave can hitch up a small trailer for camping or boating when you want to get away. Roof rails fitted with available crossbars provide extra cargo space for luggage or equipment you want to bring on your trip, so heading out to the lake or your favorite camping spot is all part of the full luxury package.
Premium Buick Comfort
Owning a Buick means you will get to enjoy a level of comfort that befits driving a luxury SUV. In the 2022 Enclave, despite it being a large three-row SUV, the suspension is damped to deliver an exceptional ride quality, isolating the cabin from road chatter. Even over rough pavement, the Enclave suspension absorbs the impact and effortlessly insulates passengers against unpleasant jostling. Regardless of the trim level, the ride quality is premium, though springing for the Avenir trim takes it further with adaptive damping designed to flow over the roads as if uneven terrain doesn’t exist. A specially tuned system diverts control of the wheels between the front and rear to adjust for road conditions, and the Avenir ride quality goes over the top with creating a cocoon-like interior.
At the entry-level, the 2022 Enclave provides passengers with seating that has a custom sensibility. Seats are both supportive and comfortable, with heated front seats as a standard feature. Soft-touch materials with available leather and wood inlays fill the interior environment with the quality Buick buyers expect. The upper Avenir trim takes this quality to an even higher standard with diamond-quilted leather seats, front-seat ventilation and massaging functions, and heating for the second-row captain’s chairs. While the cabin is already pleasantly insulated from exterior noise, Buick adds a noise cancellation feature to block out sound from the highway while traveling.
You can expect plenty of powered accessories, like seats that move forward and back, up and down, and offer lumbar control to make long drives relaxing – even the placement of armrests is well-designed and cushioned for comfort. Buick truly knows how to design supportive seating that reduces fatigue when driving for long trips, and the benefit of the SUV means the height of the bucket seats and captain’s chairs feel more like seating you would enjoy at home. Getting in and out of the Enclave is less troublesome than a sedan, too, with the raised ride height that doesn’t require stooping or squatting to sit down.
Whether you’re a parent of young kids who still need strollers and diaper bags or your older children require equipment for sports and activities, getting things in and out of the cargo area will be easy with the convenient load height and powered liftgate. From the plentiful interior space to the luxurious conveniences and premium soft-touch materials, the 2022 Buick Enclave is a classy luxury SUV that will cost less than competing luxury models in the segment while offering more space. If money isn’t an issue, choosing the Avenir trim gives you exclusive features and design details that set the Enclave apart from the pack. It’s a glorious ride that will be a delight to drive every day.
