The 2018 Buick Enclave hones its appeal with beautiful style, much-improved handling, and no-nonsense technology.
Pros Expressive sheet metal Spare and elegant cockpit Good third-row space Much-improved handling Still rides smoothly
Cons Base seats are cloth All-wheel drive is part-time Fuel economy still just average Best safety features not pervasive Pricey Avenir trim level is more a feature-unlock code
The Avenir name is something new entirely. It's a new sub-brand that Buick is introducing on the Enclave that adds another layer of luxury onto the standard model. It will sit above the Premium model that was previously the most feature-rich trim level offered on the Enclave. Standard features on the Enclave Avenir include a unique mesh grille, 20-inch wheels and exclusive interior colors and materials. The individual features aren't striking on their own, but taken together they do make this Enclave look a step above anything offered on its predecessor. Apart from the Avenir upgrades, the Enclave follows much the same formula as the previous model. It's a spacious three-row crossover with a standard V6 and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers 302 horsepower to either the front wheels or all four wheels on all-wheel-drive models. Towing capacity is up to 5,000 pounds and we expect overall mileage to improve slightly.
The fully redesigned 2018 version is hugely important as the brand’s grandest offering.Buick’s latest three-row ute succeeds in being a marked improvement over its predecessor in every meaningful way.
Pros Shapely design, tons of usable space, refined road manners, lots of available features.
Cons Prices climb quickly with options, a tight third row for three, some cheap bits still visible.
A reshuffling of features marks the 2019 model year for the Q7. All models now come with navigation, while mid-range Premium Plus trims now offer Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, a 360-degree exterior camera system, LED head- and taillights, and a wireless smartphone charging pad as standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now part of the Convenience package on all Q7 models. The optional 20-inch wheels now come with all-season run-flat tires and two new 21-inch wheel designs are now available.
PROS Back-road athleticism, beautiful and high-tech cabin, three-row versatility.
CONS Pricey with extras, snug third row, subtle styling gets lost in parking lots.
The 2019 Audi Q7 delivers on the factors most important to large luxury SUV buyers: space, comfort, style, safety, and impressive technology.
Pros Excellent build quality Luscious interior appointments Sublime ride Tech superiority Room for seven
Cons Tight third row Limited cargo space behind third row Gets very pricey, very fast Underpowered turbo-4 Best tech reserved for top trim
The 2019 Audi Q7 ranked #4 in Luxury Midsize SUVs. Currently the Audi Q7 has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 18 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Lavish interior Athletic handling Impressive optional V6 engine Comfortable, supportive seats
Cons Limited third-row seating space
