2025 Buick Enclave Avenir
Once known for building traditional sedans that skewed toward retirees, Buick has quietly reinvented itself as GM’s near-luxury SUV brand.
It was Buick that introduced the Rendezvous back in 2002, its first SUV, a curious minivan SUV blend that marked the brand’s first foray beyond cars. Since then, Buick has evolved its utility lineup into a sleeker, more premium experience. Today, with the Envista, Encore GX, Envision, and this three-row Enclave, Buick sits between Chevrolet and Cadillac in GM’s hierarchy, appealing to families who want comfort and style without the flash or cost of luxury badges.
The 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir is the brand's top-tier, three-row luxury crossover aimed at Canadian families who want comfort, space, and refinement without venturing into six-figure German territory. It represents Buick's most ambitious attempt to modernize its image, targeting the sweet spot between affordability and upscale convenience. Think of it as GM's answer to the Volvo XC90 or Acura MDX, but with a distinctive American softness and swagger.
Slotting above the Encore GX and Envision in Buick’s SUV lineup, the Enclave continues to serve as the brand's flagship utility vehicle. While it shares bones with the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, the Enclave Avenir gets unique styling, premium finishes, and an elevated trim philosophy that sets it apart. It’s Buick’s quiet statement that yes, GM can still build a real luxury cruiser.
What’s New for 2025?
The 2025 Enclave is fully redesigned, riding on GM's updated VSS-S platform. It's more sculpted and assertive than before, shedding the soft, egglike silhouette of the outgoing model for something closer to an Audi Q7 or Lincoln Aviator. There's a new Buick Wildcat concept car-inspired front fascia with a sweeping grille, sleeker headlight integration, and a full-width LED light bar across the rear that brings it squarely into 2025.
Inside, Buick has gone digital first. The dashboard now features a 30-inch ultrawide display that merges driver info and infotainment. There's Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air update capability. It’s still a unibody crossover, and it still shares powertrain DNA with other GM SUVs, but Buick has worked hard to carve out its own identity. And in the Avenir trim, that identity leans quietly and confidently premium.
Exterior Styling
My test vehicle looked sharp in "Ocean Blue Metallic," contrasted against large 22-inch alloy wheels with Avenir Pearl Nickel finish and subtle dark gloss trim. The new grille design has a kind of flowing symmetry to it, more art deco sculpture than corporate badge job. The proportions are still long and tall, but they’re cleaner now, with a shoulder line that gives the Enclave a hint of muscularity.
The rear might be the best angle, with that full-width LED bar giving it a modern presence that catches eyes at night. The Avenir badging is tasteful and minimal. Parking lot presence is solid, without looking cartoonishly large. From a glance, the 2025 Enclave could almost pass for something European. It’s a genuine glow up.
Cabin Technology and Interior
The showstopper is that class-leading ultrawide 30-inch curved OLED display, a single unit spanning the entire dash, integrating the instrument cluster and infotainment into one seamless digital sweep. It’s high resolution, fast to respond, and surprisingly intuitive thanks to Google integration. Voice commands worked on the first try, and I appreciated the large map display during rainy night drives.
Interior fit and finish has taken a leap forward. My tester came with Cool Grey seats with Slate Blue interior accents and quilted, perforated leather-appointed surfaces. The optional Advanced Technology Package added a panoramic power sunroof, Head-Up Display, and premium audio features. SuperCruise is also available for the first time in the Enclave and indeed in a Buick.
Overall, it’s a handsome, clean environment that doesn’t shout. The perforated front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, legitimately effective on long drives. Second-row captain’s chairs were adult-friendly (and heated!), and third-row space is now slightly improved. It’s more than enough for even teenagers or occasional average-sized adults, but not the penalty box it used to be.
Visibility is good up front, though thick rear pillars mean you’ll rely on the 360° camera when parking. Rear privacy glass helps reduce glare, and sound insulation is outstanding. Whether through downtown Vancouver traffic or on the highway, the Enclave’s cabin remained impressively hushed.
Cargo space remains excellent: 648L behind the third row, and over 2,700L with all rows folded. That’s creeping up on minivan territory.
Under the Hood
New for 2025, the Enclave ditches the old 3.6L V6 in favour of a turbocharged 2.5L inline-four engine, producing 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission and features switchable AWD, which lets you toggle between front-wheel drive for efficiency or all-wheel grip for weather and terrain.
Despite losing two cylinders, the new powertrain feels surprisingly strong. Power delivery is smooth, and torque arrives early, useful when pulling away from a red light with a full cabin. It’s also quieter under hard acceleration than the outgoing V6, though the four-cylinder noise is less pleasant than expected. The target audience probably doesn’t care too much versus a car enthusiast such as myself.
In my week of testing, I averaged 10.8 L/100 km in mixed conditions, including city driving in mostly front-wheel-drive mode, and highway stretches.
Impressively, when equipped with the optional V92 Trailering package (with heavy duty cooling), the Enclave Avenir’s maximum towing capacity jump from 1,500 to 5,000 pounds, and the included trailering app now supports hitch guidance and trailer light testing.
How Does It Drive?
One rainy Friday afternoon, I took the Enclave Avenir on the afternoon ferry to the Sunshine coast. With my nephews and their Legos in the captain's chairs, the Buick felt every inch the family hauler it promises to be. Despite the long wheelbase, I navigated the steep, awkward driveway to the ferry’s top-deck with ease thanks to the front camera and auto hold feature.
Throughout the journey, I found myself appreciating the massaging seats and gentle ride more than I expected. Back in the city, on the daily commute, I discovered how well Buick engineered the Enclave for urban multitasking. The doors open wide, which made it easy for my passengers to jump in and out with their gear. Cabin controls were simple enough for them to adjust their own climate zones, and there were enough USB-C ports to avoid the usual charger battles.
The ride is softish but not wallowy. Buick's QuietTuning remains class leading, and even with all-season tires mounted, the cabin was whisper quiet. Steering is light but accurate. It’s not a BMW X5, but it doesn’t pretend to be. This is a vehicle built for real-world comfort, not Nürburgring numbers.
In urban settings, the size becomes apparent. Underground parking requires a bit more precision, but the suite of sensors and camera views makes it manageable. The turning radius is better than its length suggests, and I never once felt overburdened by its footprint.
Additional TechDriven-Approved Features
360° Camera System: High-resolution and cleanly integrated, with hitch view and trailer guidance.
Adaptive Cruise with Stop & Go: Worked well in Hwy 1 traffic near Coquitlam.
Head-Up Display: Crisp and legible even with polarized sunglasses.
Super Cruise: My test Enclave came equipped with GM’s Super Cruise, and it continues to impress. The hands-free driving system now covers over 640,000 kilometres of mapped Canadian and U.S. highways.
Dimensions: Just over 5.2 metres long; still fits most garages, but tight in older urban lots.
Safety: Includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, and more.
USB-C in all three rows: A welcome update for modern families.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir feels like the brand growing into its ambitions. It’s not chasing BMW or Mercedes, but it offers genuine luxury comfort with none of the snobbery or sticker shock. For Canadians with a need for real cargo space, road trip refinement, and family-friendly features, it hits a compelling balance.
Yes, it’s still a bigger crossover, but fuel economy has improved, and tech like Super Cruise adds serious value. It’s honest about what it is: a premium long-distance cruiser built for daily life and big escapes. If you need something to tow the family trailer, manage the Costco run, and feel quiet on a snowy drive to Whistler, this Buick deserves a look.
Is it perfect? No. But in its Avenir trim, the Enclave becomes more than a rebadged GM SUV. It becomes a statement, a quiet one, sure, but a confident one nonetheless.
5 Key Takeaways
All-New Design: Modernized exterior and tech-forward interior for 2025.
Luxury Without Pretense: The Avenir trim delivers genuine premium feel.
Family-First Utility: Massive cargo space, USB-C everywhere, and great visibility.
Super Cruise Impresses: Hands-free highway driving now mapped for 640,000+ km.
More Efficient Turbo Power: New 2.5L engine delivers V6-level power with better fuel economy.
Impressive 5,000 lbs towing capability when properly equipped with the trailering package.
