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.
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse gets a much needed makeover that helps make the big crossover look more premium this time around.
Pros Bolder style More upscale exterior New High Country trim Efficient 9-speed automatic
Cons Cargo room is comparable to last gen How will turbo-4 power work? Where does Tahoe fit? Interior a little bland
We think the LT Cloth with the Convenience and Driver Confidence package (which is standard on the all-wheel-drive version) will give you everything you need. Between the LT's basic upgrades and the option package's suite of useful safety features, the LT Cloth strikes a good balance between cost and livability.
Pros Generous room for passengers in all three rows Feature-rich standard infotainment system
Cons Some safety features only available on top trims
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse ranked #9 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Chevrolet Traverse has a score of 8.3 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 12 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Roomy, versatile seats Lots of standard tech Spacious cargo area Carlike handling and ride quality
Cons Unexciting driving dynamics
