|
| Bold statement approach design of the Buick Enclave Avenir. Image Credit: John Grafman (2025) |
2025 Buick Enclave Avenir – Sculpting A New Standard In Luxury SUV Class
Article & Images With Permission By: John Grafman - AutoDesignO - August 6, 2025
What kinda SUV is that? Honestly, there’s a lot of similarities between
designs of competing brands. Consumers might bemoan the lack of deviation and
a sense of homogenization in the offerings. On the other hand, models that are
out of step in terms of style compared to what’s the soup du jour are often
relegated as second choices by buyers. This can be attributed to our herd
instinct that’s baked into our DNA. Buick got dinged from this in the past,
despite having solid products, but the 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir is aiming to
change that. The Enclave now has less of an over-inflated look compared with
the prior generation and it features a leaner, sharper image.
|
|
Buick Enclave Avenir. Image Credit: John Grafman (2025) |
A Design That Stands Out
The new design of the 2025 Enclave that debuted in the prior year does
share some familiar forms found in products from other OEMs, including
other GM brands. As such, it has a comforting feeling about this massive
people mover. It also has unique touches that owners will find special.
When it debuted, the design team, engineers, and bean counters also pulled
off a bit of magic by creating a product that comes across as being more
expensive than the sticker price indicates. “The exterior of the 2025
Enclave was penned to be bolder and offer a more profound presence on the
road. And the influence of the 2022 Wildcat concept is clearly visible on
the new face – from the wide-set, wing-shaped lamps to the shark nose and
high-mounted badge – the exterior details are beautifully sculptural and
technical,” states Aaron Riggs, Buick Designer.
Premium Execution Inside and Out
Abundant room is just one reason to appreciate this Buick. Therese
Pinazzo, Director – Buick and GMC Interiors, says, “For the Enclave’s
interior, visual interest was created by applying textures, unique
embellishments and thoughtful ambient lighting to the overall sculptural
form to reinforce the premium execution. Take for example the Avenir trim
level, where we added diamond-quilted perforated leather to the first- and
second-row seats.” Pinazzo is correct, the details only amplify an already
attractive exterior form and interior accommodations. “Inspired by sleek
lines and sculptural elements, the interior of the 2025 Buick Enclave
delivers a beautiful, yet intuitive, experience for customers,” states
Blake Allen, Buick Designer. “The team focused on creating a sculptural
space within the interior, which can be seen in the shape of the ultrawide
30″ curved infotainment display and the encapsulation of technical
details. And the integration of tech was thoughtfully imagined to be a
simple, uncluttered and effortless experience for the customer.”
Sculptural Craftsmanship in Design
As is often the case, there is a blend of digital and the physical
modeling. The computer crafts the concept. Clay will allow for refinement
and feel that delights the senses. Blake Allen explains how the design
process played out. “With Buick being a very sculptural brand design-wise,
it was important to balance the benefits of digital sculpting and clay
sculpting. Often times the team would work out sections of the design in a
digital capacity before milling them on clay for further evaluation.” In
the end, the result is pleasing. It’s the graceful, subtle forms deserve
mention. The hood has delicate line edges that fade off that are more
sophisticated than the exaggerated, oversize, in-your-face approach taken
by other OEMs in their products. And the 22” wheels on the Enclave Avenir
have more dimensionality and style. In short, these look more expensive to
produce. At least the consumer can actually see the value, unlike the
technology that often operates in the background.
Buick’s Resurgence in the Market
For far too long, the Buick brand got lost in the shuffle at GM, but no
more. Overall, the entire lineup of Buick vehicles has not only shaped up,
but these machines now share a decent amount of family resemblance with
each other. And it exhibits a healthy dose of class and appeal, yet in
2025 this comes in at nearly half the price of a similar Cadillac
Escalade. The Avenir interior does provide inviting and flowing shapes
along the dash that not only make the form interesting, but it makes the
generous width feel even larger. Likewise, the contrasting forms and
materials throughout the cabin are a blend of purposeful refinement
without becoming dull. The Cool Gray Leather and blue piping combo in our
model does create a roomy, airy atmosphere. So, when the occupants get
bogged down in traffic, it’s not depressing. The choices of wood trim and
brushed metal finishes properly break up the surfaces. It’s nice enough to
function as an executive car, limo, an escape capsule from the daily
grind, or a luxury ADU on wheels, sans kitchen and bathroom.
Spacious Utility Meets Modern Needs
A SUV means different things to different people, and that has morphed
over the past few decades. The Buick Enclave does tick most of the boxes
during our encounter. Utility is baked in with abundant interior room. The
sizable exterior is on the upper end of all SUVs on the market. It doesn’t
just tick off the boxes, but the Buick Enclave Avenir accommodates far
more inside than one would imagine. This comes with three rows of seats,
with buckets up front, and the rears fold down and up with a touch of a
switch. The prior generation Buick Enclave was definitely large. The 2025
exceeds all those exterior dimensions being longer at 207.6”, wider (87.9”
w/mirrors), and taller (70.98”). When the 2025 Enclave Avenir comes
rolling down the avenue, it’s hard to ignore.
Performance and Efficiency
A 4,713 lb. curb weight is substantial, albeit reasonable for a product of
this size, and requires some juice to squeeze out some forward momentum.
The Buick Enclave does offer up 328 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 326 lb.-ft
of torque at 3,500 rpm. What is surprising is a small 2.5-liter turbo DOHC
SIDI with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) engine can generate that much power.
That’s an impressive 131 ponies per liter. And this AWD SUV does manage to
squeeze out mileage that’s in-line with this at 19 / 24 / 21 (city /
highway / combined). The FWD version does slightly better at 20 / 27 / 23
(city / highway / combined). The fuel tanks can handle 21.7 gallons (AWD)
or 19.4 (FWD), depending on the model.
Driving Dynamics and Technology
Highway travel is a pleasure. In spite of the size, the Enclave does
maneuver through city life with aplomb. In part, the navigation aids and
Super Cruise control make this not as challenging as it otherwise could
be. With the adjustable drive modes, The Buick firms up and handles with
precision and a responsive feel. The Buick Enclave Avenir front suspension
is MacPherson strut set-up with direct-acting stabilizer bar, and
Continuous Damping Control on Avenir, while lesser models come with
passive plus dampers. The rear end is tamed with a five-link independent
suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar. Again, all models come
with passive plus dampers, but the Avenir comes with Continuous Damping
Control. The button to adjust the suspension and drive is on the lower
portion of the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel. While
it’s within easy reach, it is sandwiched between other nearly identical
plastic buttons and thereby requires eyes on the matter so that the
parking brake or other buttons aren’t engaged. On that topic, this Buick
has an abundance of digital touch-sensitive buttons and controls. These
too require the driver shift attention from the road, as with the Apple
CarPlay. This is getting to be the norm in the industry. In time,
consumers become quicker at activation of each and every function, and
thereby less of a challenge. Other features, like the heads-up display
(HUD), only have to be adjusted on occasion.
Avenir’s Premium Features
The top-of-the-line Enclave Avenir stands above the rest with these
standard features – 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio, a generous
panoramic sunroof, Rainsense wipers, walk up animation, a standard “Power
Package,” which includes Head-Up Display (HUD), ventilated front seats
with massaging feature, a one-touch folding second row seats and
power-folding third row seats (available for Preferred and ST), and heated
second row outboard seats, impressive 22-inch Avenir Pearl Nickle finish
wheels, and Continuous Damping Control (CDC) with enhanced dampers for a
refined ride. The CDC technology truly increases driving safety, comfort
and dynamics by adjusting the damping forces optimally for each wheel.
Pricing and Value
Circling back to the price, the base model at the start of 2025 was enough
to make waves. The entry level Buick Enclave Preferred starts at $46,395
(FWD) $48,395 (AWD), and roughly $2,400 more will get the Sport Touring
model at $48,795 (FWD) $50,795 (AWD). The premium Enclave Avenir commands
$59,395 (FWD) and $61,395 (AWD). Anyone paying attention to the news is
aware that there’s currently a lot of uncertainty on costs due to the
ever-changing tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.
Challenges with Tariffs and Production
While the Enclave is assembled in the USA, many of the parts come from
abroad. The Monroney reads, 36% of the parts come from America/Canada (we
don’t know how much from each), and another 24%, including the engine,
comes from Mexico. One doesn’t have to be a CPA to understand that 40% of
the parts are unaccounted for. What we do know with a certainty is, the
Enclave is assembled in Lansing, Michigan. GM, like other OEMs, is
obligated to pay the tariffs when appropriate on the parts imported from
the designated countries that the current administration deems are in need
of fiscal realignment. This gets to be complicated, especially if the same
parts are produced in multiple countries. Of course, the real question is,
will GM absorb the tariffs or pass it along to buyers. This can’t be good
no matter how you slice or dice it. Either the stockholders or the buyers
will be taking it on the chin. This also creates a legal question of
what’s really an American car and what isn’t. As of this update, the
current administration in the USA is looking to impose a 35% tariff on
goods coming from Canada and 30% on those from Mexico starting on August
1, 2025. However, if those countries retaliate in one way or another,
President Donald Trump has indicated increasing these tariffs. The loser
in all of this will most likely be the American consumers.
|
| note color difference in change of body surfaces |
A Minor Flaw in Execution
However, this particular Avenir in Moonstone Gray Metallic did exhibit a
color mismatch between the body and the bumpers, most likely a supplier or
material issue. While the emphasis should be on the shapes, this looks
distracting like the remnants of a questionable repair job from a quick
and dirty paint and body shop. The contrast is more than slight, to the
point it looks intentional.
Conclusion: A Versatile Luxury SUV
Price aside, it’s hard to not appreciate the Buick Enclave Avenir for what
it is. This is a classy, modern, versatile people mover. The Enclave
Avenir does score points in looks, functionality, and drivability
departments. Perhaps the only real question potential buyers will be
asking themselves is, will this mega-machine fit in our garage?
FEATURED ARTICLE >>>
TAGS:
2025 Buick Enclave, Avenir, luxury SUV, sculptural design, premium
interior, Buick resurgence, spacious utility, performance, technology,
tariffs, American car, pricing, GM, Moonstone Gray
