I’ve been writing a special story about station wagons and summer travel and was pondering why some of my favorite Buicks like the 1970 Estate wagon from the movie The Way, Way Back, Corvette-powered 1994-96 Roadmaster wagon and recent German-built Regal TourX no longer exist. Then, I drive the 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir and I start to understand.
From a styling perspective, it definitely cuts a swath. A few weeks ago, I was following one on the Interstate. The upscale style and sequencing taillamps made me think of a BMW X7, but the size was closer to Escalade. As it accelerated away, I noticed the new three-prong Buick badge. Class!
Styling cues like the large grille and eyebrow driving lamps are taken straight from the recent Wildcat concept car but they translate well onto this large barge of a crossover with neatly creased fenders, flashy chrome window surrounds, and 22” nickel alloy wheels on Avenir trim. Brushed aluminum roof rails and brightwork along the sills gracefully cloak the tall bodysides.
Power open the rear hatch, flip down second- and third-row seats with convenient buttons and free up enough space to harbor a couple of bicycles or luggage for an empty nester’s grand tour.
Step inside where 30 inches of curved screenwork kisses a dashboard layered with stitched surfaces and aluminum-look trim. Bronze accents the console and doors. I especially like the blue dashtop and thick leather-wrapped steering wheel. The console seemingly hovers in mid-air, but contains deep cubbies within and beneath. Even tailored stitching in the seatbacks show a concern for every detail.
Interiors feature luxuries far removed from the old station wagons. Cuddle up for long drives with heated, ventilated and massaging front seats. Middle row captain’s chairs get their own heat. Avenir’s 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio is one of the industry’s best with full, crisp sound whether you’re relaxing to Pavarotti or rocking out to Taylor Swift. Connect easily with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and console charging. Everyone rides beneath a twin-panel panoramic sunroof.
Classic Buick wagons came with big V8 and V6 engines, but this one goes forth with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb.-ft. of torque. Especially given the eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive, it makes good use of that power and does so relatively efficiently with 20/24-MPG city/highway. It’s no Corvette, but is wholly competent to move kids and crew.
Attention to safety starts with a head-up display and continues to standard automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and blind zone steering assist.
Ride and handling would embarrass classic Buick wagons given its four-wheel independent suspension with continuous electronic damping control. In Tour mode, it soaks up rough pavement, but drivers can also put it in Sport mode for firmer responses. The big wheels thunk over bigger bumps, but are tame on most roads.
I was lucky enough to have the Enclave during a long weekend, so my family hit the highways with hands-off Super Cruise driving system. Turn on cruise, waited for a green light across the steering wheel and lift off. Easy. A monitor watched me watching the road, so no reading or napping! Unlike in other vehicles with Super Cruise I’ve tested, the Enclave felt uneasy through curves. Hopefully it was just a fluke.
If we’re to be honest, the Enclave is just a tall station wagon with all-wheel-drive and Cadillac luxury. Enclaves start at $46,400, but came to $67,335 for our Avenir. Competitors include the Lincoln Nautilus, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda CX-90, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Lexus TX.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.