Too often we as consumers decide that an expensive price tag means that the product is high quality. While that is often true, there are a few instances when the high price is nothing more than a ripoff. The Buick Enclave Avenir may not be a bad vehicle, but it does cost more than it’s worth. Cars.com has a list of vehicles that are in the same division that you should check out before the Buick Enclave Avenir.

What is the Buick Enclave Avenir?

The Buick Enclave Avenir is the highest trim level for the Buick Enclave, and it costs around $53,800. According to U.S. News, “it has a refined ride and an energetic powertrain, and it offers a rich array of tech features and a large cargo hold. That said, the Avenir struggles to match the sportiness and interior quality of some rivals.”

It comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. This is coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. As far as driving goes, the Buick Enclave Avenir is smooth enough. 

The Avenir gets 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. For an SUV, that’s not bad.

The cabin is what turns so many review sites off and drives consumers away. For a vehicle that costs $53,800, the interior is cheap. Parts of it are made of plastic that gives it a rather inexpensive look. For someone paying that much, you want a vehicle that is high class, not one where it is blatantly clear that Buick was trying to save a few bucks.

The Buick Enclave Avenir does have a few redeeming factors for those who decide to upgrade, like a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, ventilation and massage functions for the front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and a power-folding third row. Still, for the price, there are better options.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade Unlimited and the 2020 Kia Telluride SX

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade Unlimited cost significantly less than the Buick Avenir. The base model starts at $31,775 and tops out at $46,625. It has a lot of storage, can sit up to seven passengers, and unlike the Avenir, the interior is made of high-quality materials. The gas mileage is about the same as the Avenir.

The Kia Telluride has a lot in common with the Hyundai Palisade. In fact, they’re almost exactly the same. The Telluride costs from $31,890 to $43,790, making it the cheapest SUV on this list.

The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse High Country – the Buick Enclave’s cousin

The Chevy Traverse High Country is on par with the Buick Enclave Avenir in a lot of ways, but it still costs less at $53,200. Cars.com reports, “it features the same powertrain, interior space, multimedia system and safety features as the Enclave Avenir, but it offers up items like enhanced forward automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control as standard; they’re still options on the Avenir trim.”

The Traverse High Country also has some perks like a Wi-Fi hotspot and 4G LTE connectivity. Better yet, it comes standard.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum

The XC90 tops the Enclave Avenir in some areas and falls behind in others. For example, the XC90 has a high-quality interior that puts the Enclave to shame. The second row comes with captain seats, meaning passengers don’t have to sit on top of each other. There is also a 12.3-inch display on the infotainment system that is hard to miss.

On the other hand, the XC90 is small. The third row is rather cramped, making it difficult to get in and out of. For all its shortcomings, the Buick Enclave Avenir has a roomy third row – or at least roomier than the XC90, anyway.

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

Like the XC90, the Mazda CX-9 has a small third row. That being said, its interior is far superior to the Enclave Avenir. It also costs significantly less. Fully loaded, the CX-9 Signature costs around $48,000.