Buick has long understood the appeal of a large three-row crossover that feels just a little more upscale than the mainstream crowd, and the Enclave continues to play that role quite well. After its full redesign last year, the 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD builds on that strong foundation by leaning further into premium touches, better ride refinement, and a more convincing near-luxury character. It still fits the same mold of a spacious family hauler for suburban life, but in Avenir trim, there’s a more deliberate effort to make the Enclave feel special beyond just its size and long list of features.
Under the hood, the formula remains familiar with the same turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. It is still a strong powertrain on paper and in practice, moving the Enclave with enough authority that you rarely feel short on thrust. Around town and on the highway, the torque comes on well enough to make this large crossover feel lighter than it is. The downside is the same issue I found before in the lower ST trim, and that’s the engine’s coarse sound under acceleration. It never quite matches the premium vibe Buick is going for, especially because the rest of the vehicle does a respectable job isolating passengers from road and wind noise. Thankfully, once you settle into a cruise, the cabin calms down and the Enclave returns to feeling like the refined long-distance family vehicle it wants to be.
Fuel economy seemingly could be better considering we’re still working with a turbo 4-cylinder engine. The good part is you’ll have no issue hitting the EPA estimates of 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined all in the real world. The 19.4-gallon fuel tank full of regular unleaded will give you a highway cruising range of about 485 miles.
Where the Avenir begins to separate itself more clearly from the ST I drove last year is in its ride quality. The addition of adaptive dampers does make a noticeable difference, particularly in how the suspension reacts to smaller imperfections and surface changes. The system seems to make subtle adjustments in real time, and that added polish helps the Avenir feel smoother and a touch more composed than the already comfortable ST. It does not transform the Enclave into a full luxury SUV, but it absolutely adds another layer of refinement that buyers stepping up to the top trim should appreciate. Body motions remain well controlled, the steering is easy enough for daily driving, and the AWD setup adds welcomed confidence when pulling away hard or dealing with less-than-ideal road conditions.
Inside, the Avenir trim does the most to justify itself. The overall layout is still one of the Enclave’s strengths, with a wide and open cabin, a useful amount of passenger room, and one of the better executions of Buick’s latest interior design language. The 30-inch display remains the focal point, stretching across the dash with an integrated look that feels modern without being too flashy. Some of the infotainment quirks are still present, especially when it comes to how certain functions and camera views use the available screen space, but the system is generally easy to figure out. It’s still confusing to have the 360-degree camera display area being so small in such a large screen.
In Avenir form, the cabin ambiance gets a meaningful lift thanks to the contrasting interior treatment with blue accents and aluminum trim, which gives the space a richer and more distinctive personality. Combined with the extra soft-touch materials, better detailing, and upgraded presentation, this is the version of the Enclave that most convincingly delivers on Buick’s premium intentions.
The Enclave Avenir AWD also continues to check the right boxes when it comes to family-friendly tech and safety. Super Cruise remains one of the standout features, and it continues to be one of the better hands-free highway driving systems available today, working smoothly and with a level of confidence that makes long interstate drives easier to manage. Add in the expected active safety equipment, generous passenger space, usable cargo capacity, and respectable efficiency for something this large, and the Enclave remains a smart choice in this segment.
As tested, this 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD came in at $65,440, including the Super Cruise package, all-wheel drive, the Illumination Package, and the $1,895 destination charge. That is a meaningful jump over the ST, but the extra sense of polish, the richer cabin treatment, and the adaptive dampers help make the Avenir feel like a more complete expression of what the new Enclave was aiming to be from the start.
Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice in the automotive media world for over two decades. With 20+ years of hands-on experience covering the industry, Malcolm has built a reputation for delivering honest reviews, sharp insights, and in-depth coverage of everything from new car debuts to high-performance test drives. Passionate about the evolving car culture and staying ahead of the curve, Malcolm continues to lead Automotive Addicts as a go-to destination for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
