The 2009 Buick Enclave is a seven-passenger luxury crossover SUV which shares its basic design platform with the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. Enclave replaces the Rainier and Rendezvous SUVs and Terraza minivan. This luxury crossover offers three rows of seats and comes in CX and CXL trims. For 2009, the Enclave gets an increase in power, from 275 to 288 horsepower and direct-injection technology along with new features including Bluetooth, real-time traffic for the optional navigation system and a 110-volt household-style plug.
Power and Performance
The Enclave is equipped with a 288-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission and is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The maximum towing capacity is 4500 lbs when properly equipped. The CX FWD delivers 1724 mpg (city/hwy) and the AWD yields 16/22 (City/Hwy).
Body and Styling
The Enclave wears sculpted headlights and a signature waterfall grille like other Buicks, and resembles the Outlook and Acadia. The Enclave CX gets 18-inch alloy wheels; the CXL gets 19-inch wheels. Inside the cabin, the Enclave offers standard seven-passenger, second-row captain’s chairs; a 6-way power driver’s seat and 2-way power front passenger seat.
The interior sports wood grain, leather trim, chrome highlights and a neatly styled control layout. GM’s Smart Slide 2nd-row seats feature flip-forward cushions and sliding backrests to allow access to the 3rd row seat. Second-row bucket seats slide; the second and third rows fold to provide extra cargo capacity of 116.2 cubic feet. The CX comes well-equipped including CD/MP3 audio with auxiliary jack, satellite radio and OnStar, power driver seat, a telescoping leather/wood steering wheel, automatic climate control, xenon headlights and a power liftgate.
The up-level CXL adds a power passenger seat and memory for the driver, leather upholstery, heated front seats and larger wheels. A navigation system and DVD entertainment system are stand alone options.
Safety Features
The standard safety features of the 2009 Buick Enclave include four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, electronic stability system with rollover mitigation technology, six standard airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for all three rows. In the event of a rollover, side curtain airbags get inflated to provide additional protection to occupants.
In the government crash tests, the Enclave secured a perfect five stars in both frontal and side-impact tests. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Enclave earned the best score of “Good” in frontal offset and side crash tests.
