This Flagship is the New Face of Buick
I was really excited to get a preview of the 2025 Buick Enclave, the brand’s flagship nameplate. I knew it would be good. It would have a completely new exterior look—a new face and a new tailgate with design details similar to the remake of the Encore and Envision and the introduction of the Envista.
The fresh, modern look on the interior of those models, with wide screens and elegant seating, gave me hope for something good in the Enclave.
But I wasn’t ready for the breath of fresh air that was brought to the redesign of the Buick Enclave. It feels so clean, uncluttered and modern. If you can’t stand messy countertops, if you love clean lines and crisp materials and have a need for simplicity, this is for you.
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Minimalist Design Creates a Calm Cabin
But before getting into the driver’s seat, just open the door and take a minute to look. You’ll instantly see the wide multimedia screen—30” wide and curved, similar to the one seen in Cadillac models—and a simplified dashboard finished in elegant leather, wood, and metal.
You’ll see leather upholstery with handbag-like details such as piping, contrast stitching, and quilted surfaces.
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The Floating Console is the Highlight of the Buick Enclave Cabin
The big delight, though, is the floating center console with handbag storage underneath. Above the storage, it’s considerably uncluttered: there’s a textured metal entertainment dial, a wireless phone charger, a small space to hold your key and cup holders. That’s it.
Many of the car’s functions are tucked into discreet spaces to keep the feeling clean: A climate control panel sits just below the multimedia screen; USB ports are tucked into the dark panel just below the climate control panel. The gear selector has been moved to a stalk on the steering column, similar to what is found in Mercedes-Benz models.
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A Simplified Trim Lineup Completes The Renovation
You might be taken by the new look and feel of the Enclave, but that’s not where the story ends. Under the hood Buick added a smaller yet more powerful engine, a 4-cylinder turbo that replaces the V6 in the prior model. Even with a smaller engine, the Enclave will generate more horsepower—328 HP, which adds 18 more HP over the prior model—and is expected to get better fuel economy (figures haven’t been released yet).
Then, Enclave will have a simplified trim lineup: Preferred, ST, and Avenir.
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Three Trims Simplify Decision-Making
Each trim will have its own unique front grille, larger wheels, and a nice set of standard features.
The Preferred model comes with leatherette seats, the 30” multimedia screen, a motion-activated liftgate, heated front seats, a quiet cabin, and 20” wheels.
The ST, or Sport Touring, model will feature a sportier look with black gloss exterior details, leather and leatherette seats, and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel.
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Avenir’s Luxe Features are a Delight
Avenir, the top of the line trim, features a unique light gray (nearly white) interior with either navy or cocoa trim, wood, and metal details. Avenir also has a suite of exclusive features standard: an animated light show greets you as you approach with your key fob; interior ambient lighting is customizable, and there is a 16-speaker Bose sound system; it has larger 22” wheels, a panoramic sunroof, heated and vented front seats with massage, heated second-row seats, head-up display, one-touch folding second-row seats, and power 3rd-row seats.
Many of these features, including the power folding seats, are available on Preferred and ST trims via optional packages.
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3rd Row Seating and Installing Kids Car Seats
The one thing Buick isn’t offering on Enclave is a center-row bench. All models will have center-row captains chairs and room for 3 in the 3rd row, seating a total of 7.
The third row is nicely outfitted; there are two USB-C ports, cupholders, and vents in the ceiling that point right at third-row passengers. I climbed in and found it comfortable—easy to climb in either via the pass-through or slide-and-tilt seats.
For installing child car seats, there are 2 full LATCH sets in the center row captains chairs and upper tethers on all 3rd-row seats. So, installing child car seats on 3rd-row seats means using seatbelts to secure them.
Easy 3rd Row Access, Thanks to Power Buttons
The captains chairs slide and tilt to allow third-row access, or you can use the pass-through between the seats. Powered seats won’t work if there is weight in the seat—such as a person. It’s great to know if your kid thinks it would be funny to push the button and watch Grandma slide and tilt along with the seat.
The center row captains chairs can move forward and back to accommodate rear seat passenger legroom and for installing rear-facing child car seats. The good news is that two rear-facing seats will easily fit. The bad news is that if you need two rear-facing seats it’ll be difficult to get anyone or anything into the 3rd row with them installed.
More Goodies on the Buick Enclave
Buick has added the option of Super Cruise, the hands-free driver assistance system, to every Enclave trim. Opting for Super Cruise adds a driver attention monitor, auto park assist, auto lane change and on Avenir, a digital rear view mirror.
Also new is a multi-view camera with up to 9 views and HD surround-view so you can see clearly around all angles of the car. The Enclave will carry the “Connected Camera” system seen in some other GM models, including the Suburban. This system allows you to see inside the car and get a notification if motion is detected; you can see what’s going on using the MyBuick app.
Further “connecting” the cabin is the addition of Google’s operating system to the multimedia system. This adds Google Maps, Google Play and “Hey Google” voice assistance, though the system is still Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
Then, there is a full suite of driver assist and safety systems—20+ features in all. These features include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, emergency braking, and HD surround view cameras. Added to the system for 2025 are buckle-to-drive, intersection collision mitigation, lane keep assist with lane centering, reverse automatic braking, and traffic sign recognition.
The 2025 Buick Enclave will start production in the summer and make its way to dealerships shortly after. Buick still has to fill in some details — how much it’ll cost, pricing for packages and what fuel economy to expect.
Every time I see the Buick Envista, I can’t help but look twice: its front face is elegant, and its shape is simply lovely. That’s the feeling I get from the Enclave’s interior: the cantilevered floating console, the minimalist details, and the white leather create a boutique-esque vibe that inspires me to take a breath. It’s a bit of a wait to get behind the wheel and drive—for all of us. But when we do, I’ll be inspired to breathe deep and relax.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Buick for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own. Additionally, A Girls Guide to Cars may earn a commission from affiliate links in this story.
