Sunday Drive: 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir a refined blend of luxury, comfort and family-friendly design
When the new 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir arrived, it was loaded with a fresh level of sophistication and comfort that we had yet to see in the Buick line. It stood out with elegant styling, advanced tech features and a spacious interior tailored to be a fantastic everyday driver and, more importantly, a great family-travel SUV.
Buick’s top-tier Avenir trim elevated the Enclave with an awesome suite of luxury finishes and exclusive details that made it evident to us it would be a premium choice in its class.
Exterior: A bold understatement
The Enclave Avenir’s exterior design was refined and understated, making a stylish statement without the need for bold accents. The Avenir trim distinguished itself with a unique grille, subtle chrome accents and 20-inch alloy wheels that all added to the vehicle’s sophisticated look. The sculpted lines along the sides gave the Enclave a sleek profile, while its muscular stance hinted at the power under the hood.
LED headlights and taillights were standard, offering both improved visibility and a modern look of sophistication. The rear of the Enclave was polished with dual exhaust outlets and a hands-free liftgate — an especially convenient feature when one’s hands are full. Overall, the 2025 Enclave Avenir portrayed an aura of quiet luxury, with design elements that were both functional and visually appealing.
Interior: Luxurious comfort and space
As we got inside the Avenir, we immediately noticed the great attention to detail and quality materials that had been used. Buick had equipped the Avenir trim with quilted leather seats, real wood trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, creating an interior that felt both premium and comfortable.
The cabin was exceptionally spacious, with seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. With a focus on family-friendly functionality, the Enclave included plenty of storage compartments and cupholders, as well as ample headroom and legroom for all occupants.
The front seats were heated, ventilated and power-adjustable, ensuring us a comfortable experience even when our drive lasted longer than we expected. The second-row captain’s chairs provided additional space and comfort for rear passengers, and they slid and folded easily to allow access to the third row.
The third row, unlike in many SUVs, was spacious enough for adults, making it a practical choice for larger families or those who frequently travel with friends.
Cargo space was also a highlight, with up to 97.6 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded flat. Even with all seats in use, the Enclave offered enough cargo room for groceries, sports equipment, or a set of luggage.
Technology: Modern and intuitive
The Avenir came loaded with advanced technology designed to keep passengers connected and entertained. The centerpiece of the dashboard was the 30-inch touch screen that wrapped from Craig’s left to Deanne’s left. It featured Buick’s intuitive interface that supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation was built in, with real-time traffic updates to help avoid congestion.
The Avenir trim also included a premium, 10-speaker Bose audio system, delivering clear and immersive sound that enhanced the driving experience. A Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging pad came standard, while multiple USB ports throughout the cabin ensured our devices stayed charged.
For families, the rear-seat entertainment system would be a fantastic option, offering screens and connectivity for streaming shows or movies. And with QuietTuning technology, Buick has reduced road noise and vibrations significantly, creating a serene cabin environment that passengers will appreciate.
Performance: Smooth and capable
The 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that produced 338 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a eight-speed automatic transmission, offered smooth and responsive acceleration, making merging and passing on the highway effortless.
All-wheel drive (AWD) was available as an option on the Avenir trim, enhancing stability and traction on slippery roads. The AWD system features a twin-clutch rear differential that could send power to individual wheels as needed, which would be particularly useful for handling snow or rain.
The Enclave’s suspension was tuned for comfort, absorbing bumps and rough patches on the road, while its steering was responsive and well-weighted, giving us a sense of control and confidence on every drive.
Fuel efficiency for the Enclave Avenir was respectable for its class, with an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. For a luxury SUV that prioritizes comfort and space, these numbers are reasonable, making it a practical choice for families who don’t want to sacrifice efficiency for luxury.
Safety: Advanced features for peace of mind
Safety was a key focus for Buick, and the Enclave came with an impressive array of driver-assistance features. The standard suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision alert and pedestrian detection. These features worked seamlessly together to enhance our driving awareness and reduced the likelihood of accidents.
The Avenir also included adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe following distance, and a surround-view camera system, which is especially helpful when parking in tight spaces. Buick’s rear camera mirror is another thoughtful addition, providing a clearer view of what’s behind you, even if the back seat is full of passengers or cargo.
Also in the mix was the included Super Cruise on the Avenir trim, which made freeway driving almost thoughtless. When set, the Super Cruise would take over the driving so we could just keep an eye on the road. It was a great feature and worked well on the freeway. It would try to keep the set speed, changed lanes and performed all other functions when needed — all without any input from us!
Driving experience: Quiet and composed
The 2025 Enclave Avenir delivered a refined driving experience that aligns with its luxury aspirations. Whether we were driving around town or taking a long highway trip, the Enclave felt stable and composed. Its smooth ride and quiet cabin made it an excellent choice
Thanks to Buick’s QuietTuning technology, the Enclave’s cabin is one of the quietest in its class. This technology included acoustic laminated glass and active noise cancellation, which worked together to keep road noise to a minimum. Anyone inside would appreciate this level of comfort, especially on a road trip.
At the end of the week: A perfect blend of luxury and practicality
The 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir was a strong contender in the luxury midsize SUV segment, offering a compelling combination of comfort, technology and space. Buick has successfully created an SUV that is upscale without being flashy, and its thoughtful design make it a practical choice for families who value both luxury and functionality.
Base price: $58,000
Destination charge: $1,395
Price as driven: $65,125