The Buick Enclave is a prominent and sophisticated member of the full-size SUV class. The fully redesigned Acura MDX is a sportier SUV alternative and a strong competitor. However, the Buick Enclave appears to offer better overall value. Let’s take a look at these luxury SUVs and see how they compare in a head-to-head competition.
Stylish Exterior, Plenty of Horsepower Highlight Enclave
If you’re wondering what to think about the latest version of the Buick Enclave, think big engine, big body, and luxurious feel and you’ve pretty much got it. Buick’s premium SUV model is a three-row big boy able to comfortably accommodate seven adults.
Despite its size and engine capacity, this isn’t really a head-for-the-hills type of SUV; it’s more of a vehicle you’d envision throwing the golf bags into and enjoying a comfy ride to and from the links. The Sport Touring package gives the vehicle a zippier look without sacrificing comfort.
The latest Buick Enclave has just one engine option, but it’s a potent one, a 310-hp generating 3.6-liter V6 with a 9-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is available).
Comfort, Convenience, and Cargo in These Luxury SUVs
The Buick Enclave is a plush, long-distance cruiser ideal for a family vacation or camping trip. Its spacious interior makes it easy to enter and exit and the third row can be accessed with no head bumping or shin bruising. The second row has captain’s chairs, a leather-wrapped steering wheel that helps make driving a pleasure, and there are approximately 100 cubic feet of cargo storage.
The Enclave puts infotainment at your fingertips with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and wireless device charging is a welcome convenience. There are plenty of safety features with the latest version, including lane-retention assistance, automatic emergency braking, and front-collision alert.
A Worthy Competitor for These Luxury SUVs
The redesigned Acura MDX has a longer and wider body and a reinforced suspension. The exterior has a sleek, sporty new look, and the roomy interior can fit up to eight people comfortably. It also makes the grade when it comes to safety, having received a 5-star overall safety rating by the NHTSA.
The Acura MDX is pretty comparable to the Buick Enclave in terms of engine size and horsepower. It offers a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 as well as a 3.5-liter V6 that can be linked to the front or all four wheels, while the turbo engine’s drivetrain comes via Acura’s all-wheel drive package.
Interior and Infotainment
The Acura MDX spacious interior features leather seats, automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. Higher trims (the Type S, in particular) feature 16-way heated power front seats, back-row wireless device charging ports, and a premier 16-speaker sound system.
The MDX also earns high marks for infotainment tech, including dual 12.3-inch screens (for infotainment and instrumentation control); Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Alexa integration; and first- and second-row USB ports.
Luxury SUVs Head-to-Head
The Buick Enclave and Acura MDX are comparable on several key levels, including gas mileage, engine size/power, seating capacity, and powertrain. And while it’s true that the revamped MDX is sporty and fun to drive, the Buick Enclave wins out in two very important categories, namely price and storage space, two areas that are traditionally of high importance to people in the market for a luxury full-size SUV.
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