Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Third Time's the CharmerI've never thought of the Buick Enclave as a great example of a luxury SUV. It always seemed to have rental fleet vibes inside, and the exterior lacked refinement in its styling. The first-generation Enclave was actually more distinct than the rather anonymous second-generation model. The third-gen model introduced in 2025 changes things up again, but this time the Enclave finally looks and feels like a worthy flagship SUV that the brand should be proud of.In top Avenir AWD trim, the $61,995 Enclave enters the rather cutthroat segment known as "near-luxury midsize three-row SUV", competing with the likes of the Acura MDX, Lexus TX, Mazda CX-90, Hyundai Palisade, and its cousin, the GMC Acadia Denali. My tester's price, including the $1,895 destination charge and options like the SuperCruise Package, came to $67,335.Exterior Styling: Upscale and RefinedaThe Enclave really looks nothing like its predecessor. A more vertical front fascia, larger grille, slimmer daytime running lights, taller glass, and a more SUV-like profile give the Enclave a stronger presence. The top-tier Avenir trim adds a unique silver mesh grille, attractive 22" wheels, body-colored rear bumper/exterior mirrors/fender trim, added chrome detailing, and a huge panoramic moonroof. There's a whiff of the now-gone Cadillac XT6 in the profile, but that's where the similarities end.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe uptick behind the C-pillar is still present but not as dramatic as the second-gen Enclave due to the taller glass. The full-width LED taillights and the small slip spoiler on the liftgate give the rear end a more upscale look than before. The exterior styling of the 2026 Enclave is more cohesive than its predecessors, and it clearly marks the flagship status not just based on size alone. The Enclave finally looks like a contender in the space, and it received some compliments from passersby.Interior Styling: Captain, You have the ConnAmos KwonThe cabin of the Enclave Avenir is signfiicantly better than the last one in just about every way, including design, materials, and technology. The modern and airy interior is dominated by a single frame that incorporates infotainment and instrumentation, making it look like a spacecraft control center. It's tasteful and attractive rather than overwhelming, but there are some sacrifices in functionality for the sake of appearances. The linear and layered dash adds depth, and the seats are textured and stitched appropriately for the top trim.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleOther details like a perforated dash with LED lights peering through, stone-esque trim pieces in the door, and ornate speaker grilles level above the rest of the lower trims. The elegant door handles was one of my favorite aspects. It extends the line of metallic trim along the door card beautifully. The interior the Enclave Avenir is really the only trim level that qualifies as near-luxury, and it's worth the upgrade. My only qualms are the somewhat cheaper plastics on the lower portions and the overuse of piano black plastic on the center stack and on the center console.Infotainment and TechnologyAmos KwonThere's a lot to love about the tech setup in the Enclave Avenir. It's a visually stunning 30" of electronic real estate, and it befits the luxury vibe inside. The menus are easy to read, but the vertical menu on the left could benefit from some separation or color distinction. Overall, the system is very good to use, despite its slightly delayed responsivness on some occasions.Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementIn terms of technology, I wasn't a fan of the drive mode selector location on the far left portion of the dash, next to the auto stop/start button. Anything having to do with driving should be located on the center stack or center console, making it more intuitive. The column shifter is also odd, and I'm not sure why car manufacturers are still doing this. Yes, it saves space on the center console but can confuse drivers who are used to this stalk position for wipers. Mercedes does the same thing, and it's easy to shift into neutral while driving. Also, the center conole of the Enclave only has an audio knob, so there's plenty of space for a smaller shifter.Space and Comfort: Big Families RejoiceAmos KwonThe Enclave has grown inside, and that's a plus for bigger families who don't want to commit to a giant and pricey full-sized SUV like the Lincoln Navigator. Front row seats have heat, ventilation, and massage functions. The second row Captain's Chairs have three more inches of legroom compared to the previous generation, but the third row shrinks by about an inch. The numbers for the 2026 are 41.5 and 32.1, respectively. Normal adults will be fine way in back thanks to the taller seat cushion height. Tall adults can sit behind themselves in row two, and the seats are excellent.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleBoth rows are power folding from the cargo section, making it convenient for cargo. That cargo section holds a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet with all the seats folded flat, 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third row, and 57.1 cubic feet with row three folded flat. The load floor is flat and load height doesn't present a problem.Driving ExperienceAmos KwonBuick never claims to deliver a scintillating driving experience, and nobody expects that from the brand. Instead, Buick prides itself on a comfortable and quiet ride, and the Enclave Avenir largely delivers. Every 2025 Enclave uses the same 2.5‑liter turbocharged four‑cylinder, rated at 328 horsepower, shared with the latest Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia and paired exclusively with an eight‑speed automatic and either front‑ or all‑wheel drive. Unlike its GM siblings, however, the Buick skips the extra off‑road add‑ons but provides adaptive suspension for its top trim Enclave.Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementAt the top of the range, the Avenir trim rides on 22‑inch wheels and features the aforementioned adaptive damping suspension. Even with the biggest wheels, the Enclave Avenir provides occupants with a soft, compliant ride. The handling is floaty with ample amounts of body roll, but that's expected for the brand. The turbocharged four‑cylinder offers sufficient punch for everyday use, and Buick further distinguishes this SUV from its corporate cousins with extra sound‑deadening measures that help keep the cabin hushed even at 80 mph. 0-60 mph for AWD happens in the mid-sixes, and Sport mode is quicker to respond to throttle inputs. The turbo four is noisy when pushed, but I'm thankful it's not mated to a CVT where droning adds to the mix.Final ThoughtsThe Enclave Avenir is finally more than convincing when it comes to near-luxury status. Buick gave it the proper attention without overcomplicating things. It no longer has to make excuses for its styling, and the cabin is more than pleasant when it comes to tech, space, and comfort. For those who want a comfy driving experience, the Enclave Avenir fits the bill well. Just don't expect it to be anything more than a straight line premium cruiser.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.