The three-row SUV is more popular than ever these days, especially when it’s coming from a luxury automaker. Buick has designed the Enclave Avenir to compete, but not everyone thinks it has what it takes. It might have the luxury tag, but it fails to deliver on the luxury features.

The 2021 Buick Enclave Avenir offer a lot of features

The 2021 Buick Enclave Avenir isn’t a bad SUV. It’s got a lot of features that make it desirable. According to Motor Trend, it’s just questionable as to whether it’s truly a luxury SUV or not, and thus worthy of the high price tag.

It comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 310 hp. This is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Driving is smooth enough, although there isn’t much in the way of speed. It makes an excellent daily driver, however, and is comfortable on city streets or country roads. 

The gas mileage is also more than decent. It gets 25 mpg, which is impressive for an SUV of this size. The interior is more than roomy enough. In fact, it’s got the most room of any SUV in its segment. Each row, including the dreaded third row, is comfy and even comes with two USB ports for charging devices. 

An 8.0-inch IntelliLink touchscreen infotainment system comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, as well as an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot powered by a 4G LTE data connection. 

The price range is what gives most consumers a pause as they consider buying it. The 2021 Buick Enclave Avenir starts at $53,800. That’s not bad for a luxury vehicle, but is the Enclave Avenir truly a luxury vehicle?

The 2021 Buick Enclave tried to achieve luxury

When reviewing the 2021 Buick Enclave Avenir, it’s necessary to define what makes a vehicle a luxury vehicle. It definitely goes beyond the automaker’s name and the price tag. If you’re getting technical, it involves using premium materials that can’t be found on non-luxury vehicles.

That’s where the 2021 Enclave Avenir fails to obtain luxury even though it comes from a luxury brand. Car and Driver reports,

“Altogether, the interior’s design is handsome and practical, but material quality and attention to detail are what hold the Enclave back from being competitive with its luxury-branded rivals. The wood trim looks and feels chintzy, the sunshades for the optional panoramic roof aren’t power operated, and only the passenger-side second-row seat slides forward to allow third-row passengers in and out—a clear cost-cutting move that compromises convenience.”

Which 2021 three-row SUVs are worthy of your attention and money?

For anyone looking for a three-row SUV, there are better options out there than the 2021 Buick Enclave Avenir. While these other SUVs might not come with the luxury brand name, but offer many of the same features as the Enclave Avenir for a cheaper price.

One of the most popular three-row SUV at the moment is the Kia Telluride. It’s so popular, in fact, that it’s hard to buy. Dealers can’t seem to keep these on the lot, and many being built in factories already have an owner ready to drive off in it as soon as it arrives.

The Hyundai Palisade is another great choice. It has comparable features to the Buick Enclave Avenir, and it’s significantly cheaper. While it’s hard to claim that the 2021 Buick Enclave Avenir is a bad SUV, it’s all too clear there are better options out there. It might be a decent SUV, but as Motor Trend pointed out, it lacks the true refinement of a luxury SUV.