Lovely interior
Once again, much like the Acadia, the Enclave plays host to a logical and functional dash layout. There is a balanced mix of wood, polished aluminum and soft good quality plastics. The front seats are large, cushy and comfortable. The second and third rows offer up a generous amount of room; the actual benches are not as cozy as the front perches but are more than acceptable nonetheless. Storage spaces abound and the trunk is positively huge when the third row is stowed. Everywhere, fit and finish is generally very good.

With both 2nd and 3rd row benches folded flat, trunk space is huge.

Luxury liner
Cruising around in the Enclave is almost like going to the spa; the ride is smooth, serene and quite quiet. The suspension soaks up all forms of road irregularities without breaking a sweat; very Buick-like. Also very Buick-like is the fact that the Enclave is not meant for high-speed curves. Steering and brakes are well up to the task of taming the Enclave's every move.

Overweight, not under-powered
Where the 3.6L V6 was more than adequate in the FWD Acadia, it is seriously taxed by the heavier Enclave. Acceleration is laborious and fuel-consuming. Once the desired velocity has been attained, the 6-speed autobox allows the V6 to rev at a fantastically leisurely 1,850 rpm at 120 km/h. So far, GM has no plans to introduce a V8 in the diminutive battery-less engine bay of the Enclave (battery is under the second-row bench). Higher fuel consumption and high gas prices appear to be the culprits.

Me + Buick?
It is almost cliché to say this but I must be getting older because I seriously like this Buick. It has a welcoming cabin in which I would be more than willing to travel to Arizona and its overall styling is spot-on. The Enclave is the first true luxury current-generation crossover vehicle and I suspect it will take quite a struggle to have it relinquish this title.

The 2008 Buick Enclave is undeniably a luxury family vehicle.