Whether Buick sells cars that people actually want is still questionable, however, the car brand still makes cars that are reliable. In fact, one of Buick’s best-sellers is the Enclave SUV, which has proved to be among one of the most dependable used car options you can buy.

What makes the Buick Enclave a good used-car option?

The 2017 Enclave might be a little pricier than some of the other SUVs in its class, but that’s because it’s packed with desirable elements. Many tech features come standard, its cabin is high-quality, and there’s plenty of space throughout. And as far as reliability goes, the 2017 Enclave is above average. 

Overall reliability 

Consumer Reports evaluates a vehicle’s overall reliability across 17 potential trouble spots including its engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system. The 2017 Buick Enclave earned high marks across each of the 17 areas.  CR also captures overall owner satisfaction and the Enclave earned high marks here too. Owners were happy with the SUV’s style, comfort, and value.

J.D. Power, a consumer intelligence company, also gave the 2017 Enclave a great reliability score. This organization’s car reliability scores are based on owners’ experiences, both short and long-term. J.D. Power found that  2017 Enclave owners were most satisfied with the vehicle’s performance and level of comfort. 

You’ll also find peace of mind knowing that the 2017 Enclave earned a perfect safety score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2017 Enclave also received a top safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 

Performance

While owners of the 2017 Enclave were largely satisfied with the vehicle’s performance, it’s definitely not perfect.  Unlike other larger SUVs in its class, the Enclave is a car-based SUV. This platform makes for a smooth ride but its 275-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine may feel underwhelming at times. Fuel economy is also below average for the Enclave. 

On the inside

The Enclave is one of the few three-row SUVs that actually has enough room for adults on each row. Passengers are met with pleasant interior finishings and the cabin helps to block outside noise. The  2017 Enclave comes in three trim levels: Convenience, Leather, and Premium. On the Convenience trim, standard features include tri-zone automatic climate control, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.

To upgrade from the Convenience trim’s cloth interior, you can opt for the Leather option. This trim level features leather upholstery, heated front seats, and advanced safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. The Premium trim adds a Bose stereo and additional driver-assist aids including forward-collision warning and lane departure warning. 

Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t available on the 2017 Enclave, so you might want to consider the 2018 version of this model for additional smartphone connections. 

The final verdict 

Overall, the 2017 Enclave is a great pick for families because it’s trustworthy, accommodating, and comfortable. It’s reliability and relatively low maintenance costs help to make up for drawbacks like its fuel economy.