Matching a Buick SUV to the Way You Live
Picking an SUV gets a lot easier when you start with your calendar. Buick’s lineup runs from a small SUV to a three-row, mid-size hauler. Each one suits a different kind of week. Maybe your days revolve around a long solo commute. Or maybe you haul three kids, a dog, and a small boat to the lake every July. Either way, one of these four probably fits.
- Envista and Encore GX models are the most affordable ways into a Buick SUV, and both suit daily commuters well.
- Every Envision comes with all-wheel drive and a 30-inch diagonal screen in a five-seat package.
- With three rows, the Enclave seats up to seven and tows up to 5,000 pounds with its standard Trailering Package.
Envista Suits Style Fans With a Daily Commute
The Envista is a compact crossover with a low, sloped roofline that gives it an almost coupe-like profile. It’s front-wheel drive only, which helps it earn a GM-estimated 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. That adds up fast on a daily I-465 commute.
Inside, you get an 11-inch diagonal touchscreen next to an 8-inch diagonal driver display, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Fold the rear seats flat and cargo room grows to 42 cubic feet. That’s plenty for stocking your first apartment. Quick heads-up, though. Envista isn’t rated for towing, so if a jet ski is part of your summer plans, keep reading.
Encore GX Handles Snowy Mornings and Tight Garages
Spend one January morning on Indy’s side streets and you’ll see why all-wheel drive matters. You can add it to any Encore GX trim. At 171.1 inches long, it’s also the shortest SUV in the Buick lineup, so squeezing into a packed Broad Ripple lot takes less nerve.
Its 1.3L turbo engine earns a GM-estimated 29 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with front-wheel drive. You’ll find about 23.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats. Need to carry a flat-pack bookshelf? An available fold-flat front passenger seatback makes room for long items. With the available Trailering Package, it can pull up to 1,000 pounds. Think small utility trailer or a personal watercraft.
Envision Wins Over Tech Fans Who Want AWD
Want a five-seater that feels like a step up from the entry models? The Envision might be your match. All-wheel drive comes standard, and a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. EPA estimates land at 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.
Tech is where this one shines. A 30-inch diagonal screen stretches across the dash, and Google built-in puts Google Maps and Google Assistant right on it. Even the Preferred trim gets a Bose 9-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display. Towing tops out at 1,500 pounds when properly equipped, enough for an ATV trailer or a small camper.
Enclave Carries Big Families and Weekend Gear
Three rows make a huge difference when your household keeps growing. The Enclave seats up to seven, with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person bench in the third row. Those captain’s chairs also make the back row easier for kids to reach.
A 2.5L turbo four-cylinder puts out 328 horsepower in every trim. Each trim and drivetrain comes with the Trailering Package, so you can tow up to 5,000 pounds without shopping for add-ons. Hauling a small boat to Morse Reservoir or a pop-up camper to Brown County suddenly looks doable.
Road trips get easier with available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance on compatible roads. EPA estimates come in at 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, or 20 and 24 with all-wheel drive.
Start With Your Busiest Day
Think about your most hectic weekday. A solo commute with a stop at the gym points toward the Envista. Snow worries and tight parking make the Encore GX worth a hard look. Couples and small families who love tech and want AWD from day one will feel at home in the Envision. And if your weekends involve car seats, sports bags, and a trailer hitch, the Enclave is the one to beat.
Trim level matters too. Sport Touring models lean sporty with flat-bottom steering wheels and gloss black accents, while Avenir models add leather-appointed seats and larger wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish.
Buick SUV Features by Trim Level
| Feature | Envista | Encore GX | Envision | Enclave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | Compact crossover | Small SUV | Compact SUV | Mid-size SUV |
| Seating | Up to 5 | Up to 5 | Up to 5 | Up to 7 |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive only | FWD standard, AWD available on every trim | AWD standard on every trim | FWD standard, AWD available |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo | 1.3L turbo | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 228 hp | 2.5L turbo four-cylinder, 328 hp |
| City/highway MPG | 28/32 with FWD, GM-est. | 29/31 with FWD, GM-est. | 22/28 with AWD, EPA-est. | 20/25 with FWD, EPA-est. |
| Max towing | Not rated for towing | 1,000 lbs with available Trailering Package | 1,500 lbs when properly equipped | 5,000 lbs with standard Trailering Package |
| Preferred trim | 11-inch diagonal touchscreen, 8-inch driver display, cloth and leatherette seats, 17-inch wheels | 11-inch diagonal touchscreen, cloth and leatherette seats, 18-inch Bright Silver wheels | 30-inch diagonal screen, Google built-in, Bose 9-speaker audio, head-up display, wireless phone charging | 30-inch diagonal screen, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, Bose 12-speaker audio, 20-inch wheels |
| Sport Touring trim | Flat-bottom wrapped steering wheel, Gloss Black mesh grille, 18-inch Gloss Black wheels, available moonroof | Flat-bottom steering wheel, leatherette seats with ST embroidered head restraints, gloss black grille, 18-inch Gloss Black wheels | Driver seat and mirror memory, flat-bottom steering wheel, alloy sport pedals, 20-inch Carbon Flash Metallic wheels | Heated flat-bottom steering wheel, heated perforated leatherette seats, high-gloss black grille |
| Avenir trim | Heated perforated leather-appointed front seats, heated steering wheel, power liftgate, 19-inch Pearl Nickel wheels | Perforated leather-appointed front seats, heated steering wheel, 19-inch Pearl Nickel wheels, available hands-free power liftgate | Panoramic moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, massaging driver seat, heated rear outboard seats, hands-free liftgate | Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, Bose 16-speaker audio, 22-inch Pearl Nickel wheels |
Test Drive the Buick SUV’s Indianapolis Families Want at Ray Skillman
A few minutes behind the wheel will show you which one feels right. We carry the Buick SUV’s Indianapolis families ask about most, from the Envista to the seven-seat Enclave. Bring your car seat or golf bag and see how each one fits. Our team can walk you through the trim differences in this guide and line up test drives. That way, you can feel the gap between the Envista’s 1.2L turbo and the Enclave’s 328-horsepower engine for yourself. Trading in or financing? We’ll help with that on the same visit. Stop by and find the Buick that fits your life.
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