2018 Buick Enclave: A Comprehensive Review of the Redesigned Family SUV

The 2018 Buick Enclave marked a significant evolution in General Motors' premium three-row SUV lineup, introducing refreshed styling, enhanced practicality, and thoughtful family-focused features. While sharing its updated platform with the luxury-oriented Enclave Avenir, the standard Enclave delivered substantial improvements that made it one of the most compelling options in the midsize SUV segment.

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Exterior Design: A More Athletic Presence

Buick's design team gave the 2018 Enclave a complete aesthetic overhaul, adopting the brand's contemporary design language while maintaining its signature elegance. The most noticeable changes included:

• Redesigned front fascia featuring Buick's signature waterfall grille with chrome accents
• Updated badging with the modern tri-shield logo
• Sleeker profile with more pronounced character lines
• Standard LED lighting for improved visibility and modern appearance
• 18-inch alloy wheels standard (20-inch available)

While not as aggressively styled as some competitors, the 2018 Enclave struck an effective balance between premium sophistication and approachable family vehicle aesthetics. The Avenir trim differentiated itself with unique 20-inch wheels, premium grille detailing, and exclusive color options.

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Interior Upgrades: Family-Focused Functionality

Where the 2018 Enclave truly shined was in its completely redesigned cabin, which addressed many of the practical concerns of modern families:

Second-Row Innovations

The captain's chairs in the second row received special attention from Buick's engineers. The passenger-side seat featured a unique tilt-and-slide mechanism that could operate even with a forward-facing child seat installed—a thoughtful solution to a common parental frustration. Both second-row seats offered:

• 8 inches of fore/aft adjustability
• Easy-access levers for third-row entry
• Individual recline functionality
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Technology & Connectivity

Recognizing the modern family's need for constant connectivity, Buick equipped the Enclave with an impressive array of charging options:

• Six USB ports strategically placed throughout the cabin
• 120-volt household power outlet in the center console
• Wireless charging pad (available on higher trims)
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability

Practical Features for Daily Use

Several thoughtful touches made the 2018 Enclave stand out in its class:

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Intelligent Tailgate Design

The hands-free power liftgate incorporated a clever projected logo illumination system that solved a common frustration with foot-activated tailgates. By projecting the Buick emblem on the ground precisely where users needed to kick, it eliminated the guesswork from the activation process.

Cargo Flexibility

With all seats in place, the Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space—enough for several large suitcases or a week's worth of groceries. Fold-flat second and third rows expanded this to 97.6 cubic feet, competitive with class leaders.

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Performance & Driving Dynamics

The 2018 Enclave carried forward Buick's proven 3.6L V6 engine, now producing:

• 310 horsepower (up from 288 in previous models)
• 266 lb-ft of torque
• EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway

A new nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous six-speed unit, contributing to both improved fuel economy and smoother acceleration. Buick's trademark QuietTuning technology kept cabin noise levels among the lowest in class.

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Safety & Driver Assistance

While well-equipped with standard safety features, the 2018 Enclave had one notable omission:

• Standard features: Rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert
• Available options: Forward collision alert, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking
• Notable exclusion: Adaptive cruise control (reserved for Avenir trim)

This strategic differentiation between standard Enclave and Avenir models drew some criticism, as adaptive cruise control was becoming increasingly common in mainstream vehicles by 2018.

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Market Positioning & Competitive Landscape

The 2018 Buick Enclave occupied an interesting space in the three-row SUV market:

The Enclave's strongest selling points were its refined ride quality, premium interior materials, and thoughtful family-friendly features that competitors often overlooked.

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Long-Term Ownership Considerations

For buyers considering a used 2018 Enclave today, several factors stand out:

• Reliability: GM's 3.6L V6 had proven durability by this generation
• Maintenance costs: Average for the segment, with good parts availability
• Depreciation: More favorable than some European competitors
• Recall history: Only minor recalls affecting small numbers of vehicles

The 2018 model year represents an excellent value proposition in the used SUV market, offering nearly all the features of newer models at a significant discount.

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Final Verdict: Who Should Consider the 2018 Buick Enclave?

The redesigned 2018 Enclave excelled as:

• A family hauler with its thoughtful seating and charging solutions
• A premium alternative to mainstream brands without luxury price tags
• A comfortable cruiser for those prioritizing ride quality

While it may not have had the sportiest handling or most adventurous styling, the 2018 Buick Enclave delivered where it mattered most for its target audience—making it one of the most underrated three-row SUVs of its generation.

For shoppers in the market today, a well-maintained 2018 Enclave represents an excellent combination of value, comfort, and practicality that's worth considering against newer models.

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