Enclave vs. Outlook/Acadia

[mkaresh]

I test drove an Enclave and an Acadia back-to-back yesterday.

The Enclave is significantly quieter than the other two. They're quiet, but the Buick is extremely quiet. Engine noise is much more muffled, and wind and road noise are also lower.

The Enclave also seemed to ride more smoothly, though noise levels have been proven to affect perceptions of ride quality. Also, the Acadia had the optional 19s, which create more road noise. So I had to rely on my memory of ride quality in the Outlook I drove with 18s. The Acadia handled a bit better, but overall I thought that the Enclave's advantage in ride quality exceeded its disadvantage in handling.

As I've said before, I think the Buick should have had higher grade materials than the other two to support its upscale interior styling and positioning.

Will post full reviews of both vehicles to epinions.com in the coming week.

[ThePlainsman]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

I test drove an Enclave and an Acadia back-to-back yesterday.

The Enclave is significantly quieter than the other two. They're quiet, but the Buick is extremely quiet. Engine noise is much more muffled, and wind and road noise are also lower.

The Enclave also seemed to ride more smoothly, though noise levels have been proven to affect perceptions of ride quality. Also, the Acadia had the optional 19s, which create more road noise. So I had to rely on my memory of ride quality in the Outlook I drove with 18s. The Acadia handled a bit better, but overall I thought that the Enclave's advantage in ride quality exceeded its disadvantage in handling.

As I've said before, I think the Buick should have had higher grade materials than the other two to support its upscale interior styling and positioning.

Will post full reviews of both vehicles to epinions.com in the coming week.

There's just one problem: Buicks are for old people. That's why the steering and handling are so numb. I wouldn't touch a Buick unless it was free.

[beach109]

Originally Posted by ThePlainsman

There's just one problem: Buicks are for old people. That's why the steering and handling are so numb. I wouldn't touch a Buick unless it was free.

No, actually not, although that's clearly still the perception. They're not meant to be BMW's, but a new Lucerne, for example, will run with the best of them, Magnasteer, Magnetic Ride Control, and all. Granted, a few things like some base Lacrosse's with hubaps and cloth bench seats aren't at all fresh, but those aren't the popular models anymore.

They're intending to be GM's Lexus, and are definitely getting closer and closer to that. That said, it's again great that a lot of Acadia/Outlook people don't like the Enclave, as that's proof of proper differentiating, yet at the same time there's a whole new group who finds it stunning. I love all 3, each for their own reasons, but that's just me.

[ThePlainsman]

Originally Posted by beach109

No, actually not, although that's clearly still the perception. They're not meant to be BMW's, but a new Lucerne, for example, will run with the best of them, Magnasteer, Magnetic Ride Control, and all. Granted, a few things like some base Lacrosse's with hubaps and cloth bench seats aren't at all fresh, but those aren't the popular models anymore.

They're intending to be GM's Lexus, and are definitely getting closer and closer to that. That said, it's again great that a lot of Acadia/Outlook people don't like the Enclave, as that's proof of proper differentiating, yet at the same time there's a whole new group who finds it stunning. I love all 3, each for their own reasons, but that's just me.

Even if I didn't have a bias against the Buick brand (which I do), if the Saturn badge was on the Enclave I wouldn't have bought one. The Enclave is flat out ugly.

[beach109]

Exactly, and that's great. Once again, differentiation at it's best, and clearly going to attract two different markets for the most part.

I just ride the line, as I like them all, and especially recently, love most of what I've seen of the Enclave real world. Still, different strokes for different folks.