This luxury SUV delivers more than a new RAV4 for less money

Welcome! In this article, we will break everything down in a simple and practical way.

Introduction

Luxury three-row SUVs have quietly become one of the hottest corners of the automotive market. Families with bigger budgets aren’t willing to give up comfort, technology, or badge appeal just because they need extra seats and more cargo room. That demand has turned the segment into a battleground for premium brands. Nearly every luxury automaker now offers a large family-focused SUV designed to blend everyday practicality with the kind of features and performance buyers expect at the top end of the market. Even though these SUVs sell in smaller numbers than mainstream models, they’re hugely important to manufacturers. High prices, loyal customers, and plenty of room to showcase the latest technology make them some of the most valuable vehicles in any luxury lineup.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Buick and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Edmunds, iSeeCars, J.D. Power, NHTSA, and TopSpeed.

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The RAV4 sets a high bar

Why Toyota’s bestseller remains tough to beat

Credit: Toyota

The Toyota RAV4 remains one of the hottest SUVs in America, and the all-new 2026 model has only added to that momentum. Pricing starts at $31,900 for the base LE trim, and demand has been strong enough that Toyota has struggled to keep up. Sales were actually down through the first part of 2026, with Toyota moving 88,081 units compared with 157,359 during the same period a year earlier. That drop has less to do with buyers losing interest and more to do with Toyota retooling production as it ramps up the new-generation model. Even with those supply hiccups, the RAV4 remains one of the segment’s benchmarks. Toyota doubled down on efficiency by making a hybrid powertrain standard across the lineup, giving buyers better fuel economy without sacrificing the practicality, cargo space, available all-wheel drive, and everyday usability that made the RAV4 a bestseller in the first place.
Buick’s luxury SUV has a value problem

Credit: Buick

Buick hasn’t had the easiest start to 2026. According to GM’s first-quarter sales report, the brand’s U.S. sales were down 32.6 percent year-over-year, with the Envision taking the biggest hit after deliveries fell by 81 percent compared with the same period in 2025. These days, Buick is all-in on SUVs and crossovers, a strategy that has helped it move away from its old sedan-focused image. The lineup is relatively small, but it gives buyers a clear path from affordable transportation to near-luxury territory.
Quiz8 Questions · Test Your KnowledgeBuick SUVs and CrossoversRead on and test your knowledgeFrom the Enclave to the Envision—how well do you really know Buick’s lineup of luxury SUVs and crossovers?ModelsHistoryFeaturesPerformanceLineupBeginWhich Buick SUV serves as the brand’s largest three-row flagship crossover?ABuick EnclaveBBuick EnvisionCBuick Encore GXDBuick EnvistaCorrect! The Buick Enclave is the brand’s largest crossover, offering three rows of seating and a premium cabin experience. It sits at the top of Buick’s SUV hierarchy and has been a staple of the lineup since 2008.Not quite — the answer is the Buick Enclave. The Envision is a mid-size two-row crossover, while the Encore GX and Envista are smaller subcompact offerings in the lineup.ContinueIn what year did the first-generation Buick Enclave debut as a production model?A2005B2006C2008D2010Correct! The first-generation Buick Enclave arrived for the 2008 model year, built on GM’s Lambda platform. It was a pivotal launch for Buick as the brand shifted its focus toward crossovers and away from traditional sedans.Not quite — the Buick Enclave debuted for the 2008 model year. It was part of a wave of GM Lambda-platform crossovers that also included the GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse, all launching around the same time.ContinueWhat is the smallest and most affordable crossover currently in Buick’s SUV lineup?ABuick EncoreBBuick EnvistaCBuick Encore GXDBuick EnvisionCorrect! The Buick Envista is the brand’s entry-level subcompact crossover, slotting below even the Encore GX. It was introduced to give budget-conscious buyers a way into the Buick luxury brand at a lower price point.Not quite — the Buick Envista is actually the brand’s smallest and most affordable crossover. The original Encore was discontinued in North America, and the Encore GX and Envision sit higher in the pricing hierarchy.ContinueWhich Buick crossover was the first in the brand’s lineup to offer an available turbocharged engine as a standard powertrain option when it launched?ABuick EnclaveBBuick EnvisionCBuick EncoreDBuick RainierCorrect! The Buick Encore, launched for the 2013 model year, was the first Buick crossover to make a turbocharged engine its core powertrain. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder helped define the subcompact luxury crossover segment for the brand.Not quite — it was the Buick Encore that pioneered turbocharged power as a standard feature in a Buick crossover. The Encore launched for 2013 and used a 1.4-liter turbo engine, setting a new direction for Buick’s smaller vehicles.ContinueThe Buick Rainier, a body-on-frame SUV, was based on which GM platform and sibling vehicle?AChevrolet SuburbanBChevrolet TrailBlazerCGMC YukonDChevrolet TahoeCorrect! The Buick Rainier, produced from 2004 to 2007, was a luxury variant of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, sharing the same GMT360 body-on-frame platform. It was one of Buick’s last traditional truck-based SUVs before the brand pivoted fully to crossovers.Not quite — the Buick Rainier was closely related to the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, sharing the same GMT360 platform. The Rainier added upscale interior touches and a smoother ride to differentiate it as a premium offering in Buick’s lineup.ContinueWhat type of powertrain does the Buick Envision offer that distinguishes it in the compact luxury crossover segment?AA naturally aspirated V6 engineBA turbocharged four-cylinder engineCA plug-in hybrid systemDA diesel engineCorrect! The Buick Envision uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is a defining feature of its powertrain. The second-generation Envision relies on a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit, balancing performance and fuel efficiency for its segment.Not quite — the Buick Envision uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. While some competitors offer V6 or hybrid options, the Envision’s turbocharged setup provides a good balance of power and efficiency for a compact luxury crossover.ContinueWhere is the second-generation Buick Envision primarily manufactured?ASpring Hill, TennesseeBLansing, MichiganCYinchuan, ChinaDOshawa, OntarioCorrect! The second-generation Buick Envision is manufactured in Yinchuan, China, and imported to North America. This made it one of the more notable examples of a Chinese-built vehicle being sold in the United States under a major American brand.Not quite — the second-generation Buick Envision is built in Yinchuan, China. Its Chinese manufacturing origin sparked some discussion when it launched, as it was one of the few mainstream vehicles sold in the US that was built and imported from China.ContinueWhich of these Buick SUV nameplates was discontinued in North America after the 2021 model year?ABuick EnvisionBBuick EncoreCBuick EnclaveDBuick Encore GXCorrect! The original Buick Encore was discontinued in North America after the 2021 model year. Its role was effectively taken over by the larger and more modern Encore GX, which offered more space and updated technology for buyers in that segment.Not quite — it was the original Buick Encore that was phased out after 2021 in North America. The Encore GX continued on as its spiritual successor, offering a slightly larger footprint and a refreshed design to carry the entry-level Buick crossover torch.See My ScoreChallenge CompleteYour Score/ 8Thanks for playing!Try Again

That approach has helped Buick attract younger shoppers, particularly with models like the sleek Envista and the range-topping Avenir trims. Features such as QuietTuning noise cancellation, large curved displays, and upscale interiors allow Buick to offer a premium experience without premium-brand pricing. The downside is that Buick has largely stepped away from traditional cars and hasn’t fully embraced hybrid options, leaving some buyers looking elsewhere. Even so, its SUV-focused strategy continues to keep the brand relevant in a fiercely competitive market.

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The 2025 Buick Enclave is a sleeper deal on the used market

Lots of SUV for not much money

A one-year-old 2025 Buick Enclave has already taken a pretty normal first-year hit, dropping around 20–25 percent in value depending on mileage, condition, and trim. Edmunds data shows base Preferred models sliding from a $46,395 sticker to about $33,700, while Sport Touring versions land closer to $38,500 and the top Avenir trims around $47,500. J.D. Power puts the Enclave’s overall used value range between roughly $36,744 and $61,736, which works out to a solid 82/100 resale score. Longer term, iSeeCars expects it to lose about $25,000 (around 55 percent) over five years, which is pretty much in line with other large luxury SUVs.
A simple servicing schedule

Credit: Jared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/Valnet

To keep your 2025 Buick Enclave running in good shape, Buick sets a main service interval every 7,500 miles. That usually covers a full synthetic oil and filter change, a tire rotation, and a general check-over, with dealership costs landing around $135–$165. At 22,500 miles, there’s a bit more to it, including things like a cabin air filter swap. By 45,000 miles, you’re looking at an engine air filter change and a check (or possible fluid service) for the transfer case if it’s AWD. Bigger-ticket maintenance shows up later on. Spark plugs and transmission fluid are typically due around 100,000 miles, while coolant service is scheduled for about 150,000. All in, owners should plan for roughly $700–$950 a year in routine upkeep. That’s a touch more than some mainstream SUVs, but still cheaper than most European luxury rivals.

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Well-equipped no matter the trim

Even the base model doesn’t feel basic

Credit: Buick

The 2025 Buick Enclave leans hard into a tech-focused, upscale cabin feel. Every trim gets a huge 30-inch curved display that blends the gauge cluster and infotainment into one seamless panel. It runs on Google built-in, so you’ve got Maps, Assistant, and apps right there, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audio comes via a standard 12-speaker Bose system, so it sounds as premium as it looks. You also get everyday convenience stuff like a wireless phone charger, 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and an AutoSense liftgate that opens automatically when it detects your key nearby.

Credit: Buick

The base Preferred trim on the 2025 Buick Enclave still comes loaded enough that it doesn’t feel “entry-level.” You get heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an eight-way power driver seat right out of the gate. Inside, there’s adjustable ambient lighting and Buick’s QuietTuning setup with active noise cancellation, so it stays pretty calm and quiet on the road. It also adds a 360-degree Surround Vision camera system, which makes parking and tight spots a lot easier. You’re looking at perforated leatherette seats and a manual-folding third row as well, so it’s practical without feeling stripped down.
A proper luxury cabin inside

Credit: Buick

Moving up to the Sport Touring trim on the 2025 Buick Enclave, things get a bit more sporty in look and feel. You get a flat-bottom steering wheel and ST-specific interior touches that give it a slightly sharper vibe. Most of the changes are visual, like the high-gloss black exterior mirrors and trim details. It still uses the same 12-speaker Bose system as the base model, so sound quality doesn’t change. Where it gets more flexible is with options like the Power Package, which adds things like a head-up display and power-folding second and third rows that can be done with a single button.

Credit: Buick

The top-tier Avenir trim on the 2025 Buick Enclave is where things feel properly high-end. You get quilted leather seats with 16-way power adjustment up front, plus heating, ventilation, and even massage.

In the second row, passengers get heated captain’s chairs, and the whole cabin is backed by a 16-speaker Bose Performance Series setup. A panoramic sunroof and rain-sensing wipers also come standard, adding to the everyday comfort. It’s also the easiest way to get the most out of Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving tech, which pairs especially well with the Avenir’s premium setup.

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Smaller engine, big attitude

Turbo power without the bulk

Credit: Jared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/Valnet

The 2025 Buick Enclave gets a pretty big mechanical shake-up, swapping out the old V-6 for a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Despite the smaller engine, it actually bumps output up to 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. Power goes through an eight-speed automatic that’s tuned to handle the turbo’s torque more smoothly. Front-wheel drive is standard, but you can option all-wheel drive on any trim if you want extra traction.

Base Trim Engine

2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder Gas

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

328 hp

Base Trim Torque

326 lb-ft

Fuel Economy

TBA

Make

Buick

Model

Enclave

Segment

Midsize Luxury SUV

In a straight line, the 2025 Buick Enclave is good for about 7.5 seconds to 60 mph with AWD, or around 8.0 seconds if you stick with front-wheel drive. Top speed is capped at 131 mph. It also punches above average for towing, with up to 5,000 pounds available when you add the optional Trailering Package. That setup brings in extra cooling hardware and hitch guidance tech to make towing a bit less stressful.
Fuel economy takes the shine off a bit

Credit: Buick

The 2025 Buick Enclave lands at an EPA-estimated 20/27/23 mpg for front-wheel drive models and 19/24/21 mpg if you go with all-wheel drive. Both versions use a 19.4-gallon tank, giving you roughly 446 miles of range for FWD and about 407 miles for AWD. Over time, fuel costs do add up a bit compared to the average new vehicle—roughly $1,900 a year for FWD and around $2,100 for AWD. That’s about $3.17–$3.48 for every 25 miles of driving, and filling the tank typically runs close to $57.

Conclusion

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