On May 2007, the division of General Motors launched its new SUV model for 2008, the Buick Enclave, which replaced the popular buick rendezvous. Buick Enclave is a full-size luxury crossover SUV. It is partially based on the Buick Centieme shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. It has the same feature as the new GM Lambda platform, just like GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse and Saturn Outlook. The Enclave replaced Buick’s SUVs such as the minivan-based Rendezvous, the truck-based Rainer, as well as the Terraza minivan.
So what kind of vehicle could replace the buick rendezvous? Well, the Buick Enclave shares the same platform and mechanical underpinning with the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse. It comes with a standard front-wheel drive with an option of all wheel drive. The Enclave has a seating capacity for at least seven passengers, with an optional second row bench seat instead of the standard chairs which increases the seating capacity to eight.
For its first year of production, Enclave was powered by a 275 hp (205 kW) 3.6 L High Feature V6 engine matted to a six-speed automatic transmission. Enclave also shares power trains with its Lambda siblings. The 2009 model, a 3.6L V6 SIDI (direct injected) VVT with 286 hp (213 kW) and 255ft. lbf (346 N.m) of torque standard (the same standard with other 2009 Lambdas). According to United States Environmental Protection Agency the latter direct-injection engine is commended for offering a broader torque curve, bringing fuel economy to 17 mpg-us (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg-imp)/24 mpg-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg-imp) for FWD models and 16 mpg-US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg-imp)/22 mpg-US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg-imp) for AWD models
Lambda vehicles are built at GM’s new Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing Michigan, and production of the Enclave commenced on 11 April 2007, with its first vehicles reaching certain dealers by the end of the month. It’s first model debuted with a starting price of $32,790. GM also stepped up the warranty, with 5-year/100,000-mile power train coverage compared to Buick‘s normal 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper basic warranty.
About 1 inch (25mm) longer that it’s Lambda siblings, enclave was considered the largest uni-body vehicle. Enclave was often praised because of its subsequently huge cargo space while maintaining the relatively dynamic nature of uni-body construction over the conventional body-on-frame. Enclave was also praised because it is considered as one of the quietest vehicles available in the United States, and also for the quality of its interior design. The Buick Enclave is also often referred to as the “best vehicle GM makes”. Lastly many admire this SUV because of its good looks.
But because of its 6-speed transmission, the Enclave was often criticized because of its uncertain downshift. On 2009, its power train was even more competent having more abundant torque. For its entire production, weighing nearly 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) with all-wheel-drive it has been regarded as too heavy. So I guess this marks the end of the buick rendezvous legacy. I still think the best buick suv is the 2004 buick rendezvous, but thats just me.