The Buick Enclave Rules the Luxury Midsize SUV Segment

Let’s say you need seating for up to seven passengers. Maybe you’re in charge of carpooling—to school, to the office, or to practice in the evenings—or perhaps you’re less concerned with filling the seats with people as much as you’re interested in filling easy-to-access cargo space with as much stuff as possible. But more importantly, you, as the driver, want peace of mind, a comfortable driving experience, and as many of those modern bells and whistles as your budget can accommodate.

This is why you should be looking for a Buick Enclave for sale. And yet, at the same time, a wise shopper knows to look around and compare options before they make such a big investment. After all, a luxury midsize SUV is only worth buying if it gives you exactly what you want and need. With all the options on the market today, you might be wondering if the Buick Enclave really is the best choice for you.

Let’s take a peek at the Buick Enclave and the Acura MDX—one of the Enclave’s closest competitors—to see why the Enclave has the edge in its niche segment.

Examining the Basics

All drivers expect a little extra power and performance from their luxury vehicles, and the 2024 Buick Enclave does not disappoint. Equipped with a 3.6L V6 engine, the Enclave boasts a comfortable yet enthusiastic 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, this engine is delightfully eager without being touchy or overwhelming. Driver-selectable intelligent all-wheel drive is available on all trims, while front-wheel drive is standard.

A great deal of that sense of control can be attributed to the traditional Buick engineering, which prioritizes comfort and responsiveness as the height of luxury. To that end, the Enclave is equipped with a MacPherson strut independent front suspension that’s specifically designed to soften the blows of the road with hydraulic technology. In the rear is a five-link independent suspension with spring aids and a hollow stabilizer bar, again to allow the Enclave to glide over bumps and potholes. Those who select the top Avenir trim can select the optional Premium Suspension package, which boasts continuously variable real-time damping.

Acura has provided the 2024 MDX with two engine options, though the most powerful is available only to those who select the high-echelon Type S trim. This engine is a mighty 3.0L turbocharged V6 with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, and it’s only available in all-wheel drive. The rest of the MDX lineup is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine that offers 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. It’s not quite the same power level as the Enclave, but if you don’t accelerate to merge with traffic often, perhaps you won’t notice the difference.

Sizing Things Up

Everyone enjoys having a little extra room, but when it comes to three-row SUVs, size can be a critical factor. Both the 2024 Enclave and the 2024 MDX are capable of trailering up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, so there are no major differences in that regard. However, as a wise person once said, “It’s what’s inside that counts.” In this regard, the Enclave comes out on top.

With all seats filled, the Enclave still offers space for up to 23.6 cu.ft. of equipment, luggage, groceries, or souvenirs. The MDX only has 18.1 cu.ft. With the third row folded, the Enclave’s cargo space expands to 57.7 cu.ft. while the MDX offers 48.4 cu.ft. With both the second and third rows folded, the Enclave can provide comfortable transportation with 97.4 cu.ft. allotted for your stuff, along with 3.1 cu.ft. of underfloor hidden storage.

Acura provides explanations on how drivers can maximize their cargo space by tucking things between and under the seats, but even then, the cargo space measures 95.0 cu.ft. at best. If your plans include using your space, the MDX simply cannot compare to the Enclave, especially when all seats are in use.

Standard Offerings

When an SUV bills itself as “luxury,” we tend to have higher expectations. Over the years, neither Buick nor Acura has let their fans down, continuously providing drivers with that “something extra” that sets their vehicles apart from other brands. While both vehicles are offered in a variety of trims with increasingly impressive features, certain things are standard across the lineup.

For example, all 2024 Enclave models include standard LED headlamps and daytime running lamps. A convenient hands-free power-programmable liftgate makes it easy to access and load through the cargo hatch, while standard Smart Slide second-row seats make accessing the third row a cinch. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are also standard.

Drivers and passengers alike can find peace of mind in Buick’s standard Driver Confidence Plus suite of driver assistance technology, which includes familiar favorites like Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking, along with a few upscale additions, such as Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Front and Rear Park Assist.

Perhaps more importantly, the Enclave includes Buick’s QuietTuning tech with Active Noise Cancellation, which employs door seals, acoustic glass, and savvy rear suspension design to keep the inside of the cabin free from droning road noise.

The MDX offers most of these things and even a few others, like Adaptive Cruise Control and Traffic Sign Recognition, but there are a few important differences. First, one has to step up a few trims in order to enjoy hands-free access to the tailgate—and then there’s the matter of the standard panoramic moonroof, which is a generous inclusion.

But at the end of the day, the MDX does not include Buick’s QuietTuning tech with Active Noise Cancellation. Whatever efforts Acura puts into dampening the noise and rough roads are somehow not as well-celebrated as Buick’s, leaving us wondering how loud and harsh the MDX’s driving experience really is.

Exceeding Your Dreams: The Buick Enclave

Beyond the standard offerings, both the Enclave and the MDX can be configured to meet your desires. Those who are looking for more than what the base Enclave Essence trim provides can choose the Premium trim, with its Bose audio system and heated, ventilated, massaging front seats, or the Avenir trim, with its panoramic moonroof and Rainsense automatic wipers.

The 2024 Acura MDX is offered in a somewhat baffling array of trims, in which most upgrades are considered “Packages.” The correct order from base to top is MDX, MDX with Technology Package, MDX with A-Spec Package, MDX with Advance Package, MDX Type S, and MDX Type S with Advance Package. The MDX with the A-Spec Package and the MDX Type S are very similar, with the souped-up engine being the main difference. Climbing through these trims unlocks features like ventilated seats and an array of ELS sound systems, each with a different standard and available speaker quantity.

Essentially, it is possible to piece together the features and technology you want in your vehicle when you choose the Buick Enclave or the Acura MDX. However, if you’re looking for a standard of excellence with no fuss or confusion, perhaps you ought to continue looking for a Buick Enclave.

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