The 2022 Buick Enclave is a 3-row midsize SUV that competes against similarly sized rivals like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. The Enclave is ideally targeted at SUV shoppers who value a whisper-quiet ride and smooth suspension. While this Buick isn’t quite as sporty as some of its rivals, the Enclave does have well-damped suspension and the good handling manners of a premium SUV.
What it didn’t have before were the standard active safety features car shoppers expect in a vehicle with a starting price above $40,000. Buick has addressed this issue in the 2022 Enclave by adding more active safety features to the base model and making additional features more accessible in top trims.
Having dropped the previous entry-level Preferred model, the 2022 Enclave now comes in three primary trims: Essence, Premium, and Avenir. The Avenir, in particular, elevates the Enclave into the luxury realm, thanks to its high feature content and upmarket cabin trim.
Let’s take a look at what each Enclave trim has to offer car shoppers looking for a comfortable ride, lots of cargo volume, and three rows of seating.
2022 Buick Enclave Essence (starting at $43,995)
The 2022 Buick Enclave Essence has a starting price of $43,995, excluding taxes and a $1,195 destination charge. All Enclaves come standard in front-wheel-drive format, though all-wheel drive is available for $2,000 on each trim.
The sole engine choice is a refined 310-horsepower V6 engine coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission. You’ll need to give the gas pedal a nudge to know this powertrain is operating; it’s so quiet and smooth.
The same can be said for the suspension, which favors long-distance comfort over corner-carving agility. That’s not to suggest the Enclave feels ponderous. Given its size, this Buick is easy to drive and position in tight spots.
For 2022, the Enclave has been given a refreshed exterior with slimmer headlights and a new grille. There are also new color choices and wheel options too. Cargo capacity remains the same as before, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 57.7 cubic feet with the rearmost seats folded. With both the 2nd and 3rd row down, there’s a total capacity of 97.4 cubic feet.
Perhaps the biggest news is the addition of more active safety equipment as standard. This was a major gripe when we road-tested the 2021 Enclave, where we noted many cars costing half this Buick’s price had vastly more standard safety items.
The 2022 Enclave Essence now comes standard with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear park assist, pedestrian alert and braking, automatic high-beam headlights, rearview mirror, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The available Technology Package brings a surround-view camera, HD rear camera mirror, rear pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, and enhanced automatic emergency braking. This helps bring the Enclave in line with what the competition offers.
When it comes to tech items, the Enclave Essence is fitted with an 8-inch touch screen for the infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hot spot, Siri Eyes Free, six USB ports, and satellite radio.
Navigation is available as an option on the Essence, while it’s standard on the Premium and Avenir trims. A 10-speaker Bose audio system is also optional. You can add both navigation and the Bose system by opting for the Sites and Sounds Package. This also includes an 8-inch digital gauge cluster and a 120-volt outlet.
Another notable new addition for the 2022 Enclave is the standard fitment of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. It’s a small change, but these types of things matter a lot with SUV shoppers.
All Enclaves come with a 2+2+3 seating arrangement for a total passenger capacity of seven people. There is plenty of headroom and legroom in each row, and the second-row captain’s chairs make accessing the third row much easier.
To help coddle you, the Enclave Essence comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver and passenger seat, and leather first and second-row seating.
Cosmetic packages like the Experience Buick Package and Sport Touring Package add features like 20-inch polished or machine-finish alloy wheels, moonroof, and modified front grille with exterior badging (Sport Touring Package).
If a car buyer keeps the Enclave Essence at its base price ($45,190 a price that includes the $1,195 destination charge), financing that amount for 60 months at a 3% interest rate with no money down comes to about $812 per month. See the 2022 Buick Enclave Essence models for sale
2022 Buick Enclave Essence includes:
- Comfort – Leather first and second-row seats, heated front seats.
- Safety – The 2022 Enclave comes with much more standard active safety features than the previous generation.
- Technology – Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, onboard Wi-Fi hot spot.
2022 Buick Enclave Premium (starting at $50,995)
Stepping up to the Buick Enclave Premium nets you the same powertrain but a little more luxury in your 3-row midsize SUV. This includes a power-tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, two memory settings for the driver’s seat, 10-speaker Bose stereo, and power-folding third row.
Like the Essence trim, adaptive cruise control can be added, along with enhanced automatic emergency braking. These are both standard equipment on the range-topping Avenir trim. Also similar to the Essence trim, the available Experience Buick Package brings along a moonroof and 20-inch alloy wheels.
This could be the sweet spot of the Enclave range for many car shoppers. The added standard features nudge this Buick SUV onto the edge of being a true luxury vehicle. The range-topping Avenir takes things one step further still.
With its starting price of $50,995, plus the $1,195 destination fee, an Enclave in Premium trim with no down payment and financing for 60 months at 3% interest will cost about $938 monthly. See the 2022 Buick Enclave Premium models for sale
2022 Buick Enclave Premium includes:
- Luxury – Heated and ventilated front seats with massage function.
- Added safety – Head-up display and available adaptive cruise control.
- Extra grip — All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option.
2022 Buick Enclave Avenir (starting at $56,295)
Placed atop the Enclave lineup, the Avenir comes fully loaded with all the safety, comfort, and tech features mentioned in the Essence and Premium trim. This includes a standard moonroof, 8-inch digital gauge display, adaptive cruise control, heated and ventilated front seats with massage function.
The Avenir also comes with its own color options and more upmarket interior trim, elevating the cabin ambiance.
Like the rest of the range, adding all-wheel drive nudges the price upward by $2,000. Another feature offered on all Enclaves is the Trailering Package with hitch guidance, trailer view, and heavy-duty engine cooling. Equipped with these features, the maximum towing capacity of the Enclave is 5,000 pounds.
One extra offered solely on the Avenir is the Avenir Technology Package, which comes with retuned steering and suspension calibration.
An Avenir starting at $56,295, plus a $1,195 destination fee, would cost about $1,033 per month with no money down and financed for 60 months with 3% interest. See the 2022 Buick Enclave Avenir models for sale
2022 Buick Enclave Avenir includes:
- Design – The Avenir is offered with unique colors, wheel designs, and interior trim.
- Towing – An available towing package boosts the Enclaves towing capacity to 5,000 pounds.
- Fully loaded – The Avenir comes with pretty much everything you can add to the Essence and Premium trims.
