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- Car-Seat Friendly Tilt. This is a big win. The second-row captain’s chair tilts and slides forward even with a car seat installed using lower anchors. That means real, usable third-row access without uninstalling your seat every time. We love a flexible queen.
- Solid Car Seat Hardware Setup. Lower anchors and tether anchors in both captain’s chairs, plus three tether anchors across the third row. That’s exactly what we want to see for growing families who need options.
- Deep Underfloor Trunk Storage. That hidden cargo compartment is legit deep. Think sports gear, emergency supplies, or all the random mom stuff you don’t want rolling around back there.
- Heated & Ventilated Front Seats. The seats are seriously comfortable, and having both heat and ventilation makes this feel elevated for long drives, carpools, and road trips.
- Quiet Ride. It’s smooth and peaceful inside. Conversations are easy, kids can nap, and you’re not fighting road noise on the highway.
- Ceiling Vents for All Rows. We love seeing overhead vents in the second and third rows. Arizona summers? Midwest humidity? Doesn’t matter. Airflow for everyone is non-negotiable.
The Exterior
On the outside, I actually think Buick did a nice job modernizing the Enclave. When you hear “Buick,” you might still picture something your grandma drove, but this body style feels much more current. From the side especially, it has a sleek, almost luxury-SUV vibe with those softer body lines and all the chrome detailing. There’s chrome on the grille, around the windows, on the roof rails… she’s definitely leaning into that upscale look. It’s not overly sporty or aggressive, but it feels polished and put together. My favorite angle is definitely the side profile — that’s where she shines the most.
First Row
When you climb into the front of the Enclave, this is where Buick is really trying to lean into that “near-luxury” feel. The seats are genuinely comfortable, the materials look elevated, and everything feels cohesive and thoughtfully designed. There are a few things I’d tweak, but overall, this is a really nice place to spend time — especially if you’re the one doing most of the driving.
- Beautiful Brown Leather Interior. This chocolate brown leather is stunning. It feels rich, looks elevated, and the contrast stitching gives it that “okay Buick, I see you” moment.
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats. We love options. Toasty in the winter, cooled in the summer. And yes, they are actually really comfortable.
- Heated Steering Wheel. I do wish the entire wheel heated up, but still — on cold mornings, I’m taking it.
- Built-In Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. CarPlay makes life easier. The screen isn’t huge, but it integrates cleanly and is simple to use.
- Surround View Camera. Big SUV = I want all the visibility. That 360° camera makes parking and tight spots way less stressful.
- Wireless Charger + Two USB Ports. We love not fighting over cords. Plus, there’s an actual place to drop your phone and keep it out of the cup holders.
- Center Console Storage (With a Hidden Drop Zone). That open “bridge” space underneath? Perfect for tossing a purse, diaper bag, or all the random things we collect during the day.
- 10-Way Power Driver Seat with Lumbar. For my tall girls — there’s good legroom and great adjustability. I felt really comfortable up here.
Second Row
I’ll be honest — this is where the Enclave surprised me in a good way. I had some sticker shock up front, but when it came to second-row flexibility and car seat usability, Buick actually made some really smart decisions. That said, there are a couple things back here I don’t love — so let’s talk about all of it.
- Standard Captain’s Chairs. The Enclave only comes with captain’s chairs, which keeps that center pass-through open and makes movement between rows easier. If you prefer a bench for three-across setups, that’s not an option here.
- Somewhat Flexible Car Seat Hardware. You get lower anchors and tether anchors in both second-row captain’s chairs, giving you two full LATCH positions back here. In the third row, there are no lower anchors, but you do get three separate tether anchors across the back — which is exactly what we want for forward-facing seats installed with the seat belt.
- Car-Seat Friendly Tilt (Major Win). This is the standout feature. Even with a car seat installed using the lower anchors, you can still tilt and slide the captain’s chair forward to access the third row — without uninstalling the seat. That’s huge for real-life family logistics.
- Great Rear-Facing Clearance. With a rear-facing infant seat installed, I still had great front-seat space. Tall drivers won’t feel cramped.
- Third-Row Space Depends on Seat Position. When the captain’s chairs are pushed all the way back, the third row gets tight — like knee-to-chest tight. You’ll need to slide the second row forward a bit to make it comfortable for older kids or adults.
- No Middle Head Restraint. The center third-row seat does not include a head restraint, which reduces protection for adult passengers seated in that position. The third-row outboard head restraints do not remove, but they are relatively flat. Some car seats may be incompatible due to head restraint interference, but most install well without issue.
- Ceiling Vents (Yes, Please). Overhead vents in both the second and third rows. Airflow for everyone is non-negotiable in a three-row SUV.
Third Row
The third row in the Enclave is functional and thoughtfully equipped, but it is not the most spacious in the segment. It offers practical features for families, especially when paired with the flexible second-row setup, though overall comfort will depend on how the vehicle is configured and who is seated back there.
- Three Tether Anchors Across the Back. The third row includes three dedicated tether anchors, allowing for forward-facing car seats to be properly installed using the seat belt. There are no lower anchors in this row, which is typical for many three-row SUVs.
- Overhead Vents and USB Ports. Ceiling-mounted air vents help ensure consistent airflow for rear passengers, and USB ports on both sides provide convenient device charging.
- Best Suited for Children and Shorter Passengers. This row works well for children in booster seats or forward-facing car seats. It can accommodate adults for shorter trips, but it is not especially roomy.
- Legroom Depends on Second-Row Position. When the second-row captain’s chairs are pushed all the way back, third-row legroom becomes limited. Sliding the second row forward improves comfort significantly.
- Narrow Center Seat. The middle seating position is noticeably tight and may feel cramped, particularly for booster seats.
- No Middle Head Restraint. The center third-row seat does not include a head restraint, which reduces protection for adult passengers seated in that position.
Trunk
The cargo area in the Enclave is practical and family-friendly, with one standout feature that genuinely impressed me. Behind the third row, you have a usable amount of space for everyday errands, but what really elevates it is the deep underfloor storage compartment. It is significantly deeper than what we typically see in this class, making it ideal for storing sports equipment, emergency supplies, extra diapers, or anything you prefer to keep hidden and secure.
The available cargo mat that extends over the folded third row is also a thoughtful touch. It helps protect the seatbacks when you lower the third row for larger loads, which is especially helpful for strollers, grocery hauls, or weekend projects.
Power-folding third-row controls located in the cargo area make it easy to adjust the seating configuration without walking around the vehicle. Overall, while the standard cargo space behind the third row is competitive rather than class-leading, the hidden storage and practical design elements make it highly functional for family use.
Safety
Safety is one area where I have mixed feelings about the Enclave. It offers a solid suite of driver-assistance features, but the way Buick structures them across trim levels is a little frustrating. Some important safety tech is reserved for higher trims, which means you may need to upgrade to get features that are standard elsewhere.
On higher trims like the Premium and Avenir, you’ll find forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and a surround view camera. These are all features I personally consider must-haves in a three-row family SUV, especially forward collision alert. That’s a life-saving feature in my opinion, and I do not love that it’s not available on every trim.
The surround view camera is another highlight. In a larger SUV like this, having that 360-degree visibility makes a big difference when parking or navigating tight spaces. It’s one of those features you don’t realize you rely on until you don’t have it.
Overall, the Enclave can be very well-equipped from a safety standpoint, but you’ll want to pay close attention to trim levels to make sure you’re getting the features that matter most to your family.
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