2008 Buick Enclave CXL

Peter Bleakney

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Wasn't it just yesterday when the prognosis for GM was so grim it seemed the only humane response was to take the old General out behind the barn and shoot it? Well, you can put away the shotgun, Clem. Seems there's life in the old horse yet.

Four class wins at this years' AJAC TestFest signal something is afoot with the North American arm of General Motors. A once sketchy and fractured product lineup is starting to look pretty healthy.

The subject of this test is the 2008 Buick Enclave CXL AWD, which took top honours in the Best New SUV/CUV above $60,000, beating out such luminaries as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

This top-of-the-line Enclave model carries a base price of $51,295, but with a few options, my tester squeaked over the line at $60,045.

The Enclave shares its mechanicals with the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, but it doesn't share the chunky broad-shouldered look of those two. This Buick is all about languid, flowing lines and elegant detailing. GM has done a wonderful job of incorporating classic Buick styling cues – the waterfall grille and "portholes" on the hood – without looking corny or patronizing.

But my gawd, these things are big – as long and wide as a GMC Yukon. Which is good news if you have a lot of people or stuff to haul around.

Since Enclave is built on the long-wheelbase unibody Lambda platform, its XXL exterior translates to an equally XXL interior. An available second-row bench will give a bum count of eight, but this tester was configured for seven passengers, with twin second-row captain's chairs that accordion forward, giving easy access to the third-row flip up bench, And yes, three adults can sit back there without (too much) complaint.

Like the exterior, the interior design is elegant and curvaceous. There's plenty of low-gloss faux-wood (real mahogany on the steering wheel), supple leather and chrome, and some chic details like a round analogue clock above the stack and a stylish shift lever that sprouts from a very art-deco centre console.

At night, the soft blue ambient lighting makes you want to head straight for the opera.

But most importantly, the execution and quality of materials is very good. Using "craftsmanship" and "GM interior" in the same sentence? Hath hell frozen over?

The base Enclave luxury count is comprehensive, with such niceties as tri-zone climate control, powered lift-gate and bi-xenon headlamps. To this, the CXL adds a premium10-speaker, six-CD in-dash Bose system, 19-inch aluminum wheels, two rear headphone jacks, power tilt/telescope steering column, eight-way driver's seat, and power fold mirror with driver's side memory.

Perched up high in the comfy chairs, you get a lofty view of your surroundings, but rear-ward visibility is sketchy due to the tapered rear windows and the fact the back of the Enclave is essentially in another time zone.

Thankfully, rear park assist is standard on the CXL, but my tester also sported a rear-view camera, which came in very handy when negotiating a tight parking garage. The camera is part of the $4,720 Touch Screen DVD Navigation system, which also includes rear seat DVD and a very good sounding Bose 5.1 surround sound upgrade.

GM is making a lot of noise about Enclave's lack of it. To keep the interior hushed, Buick's QuietTuning covers all the bases: tire tread pattern, damped engine mounts, triple-sealed doors, acoustic laminated windshield and interior acoustic absorbers. It really is tomb-like inside – as long as the kids stay at home.

So GM has bestowed upon this luxury crossover a suitably upscale countenance and ambience. Does it drive like a Buick?

If you mean wallowy and numb, then the answer is "no."

Like its GMC Acadia sibling, this large CUV drives much smaller than it looks, exhibiting surprising body control, decently communicative steering and a composed and compliant ride. That said, it doesn't feel quite as "crisp" as the Acadia, probably due to its extra few kilos.

The Enclave's only available engine is a St. Catharines-built 3.6 L DOHC Vortec V6 that features variable valve timing and puts out 275 hp and 252 lb.-ft. of torque, available from 1600 to 5800 rpm. Working in conjunction with a decently smooth GM Hydra-Matic six-speed auto, it makes for refined and adequately brisk progress. There's no big V8 grunt, but I didn't really miss it, and the observed 13 L/100km (regular gas) is pretty good for a luxurious 7/8-passenger all-wheel-drive hulk that tips the scales at 2261 kg.

In traffic between 80 and 100 km/h was the only time I noticed the transmission "hunting" around the top gears. Highway passing requires advanced planning, and although it is tow-rated for 2041 kg, I could see how the limits of this powertrain could be reached.

Under normal conditions, the Enclave operates with a front to rear torque split of 90/10. A computer-controlled clutch pack in the rear differential will send more juice to the rear wheels if needed. The rest of the traction issues are handled by the standard StabiliTrak electronic stability/traction control.

What most impressed me about the 2008 Buick Enclave is the fact this well executed and fine driving CUV isn't trying to be something it's not. No pretenses of Euro-bahn-bashing or Japanese-high-tech-chic here.

It is resolutely American, and more important, brings back some of the old order in GM's lineup. Like when owning a Buick was something special.

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