I was very excited to get a call today that the Enclaves had arrived at the dealer today, so I went for a test drive in a loaded CXL AWD. Here are my impressions:
1) Exterior: Really, really nice. Everything about it is beautiful - the chrome surrounds around the taillights, the blue rings on the Xenons, the substantial nose, the side sculpting. They did a great job.
2) Interior: Again, really nice. I didn't find the wood to be bad, as some have suggested. I saw both the tan and the black. The tan is nice, the black is a little too black. I guess the two tone schemes worked better in my opinion. The 2nd row pass through is great, since I have two baby seats and the slide system becomes useless. Easy access to a fairly large 3rd row.
Now, the 4 bad points - IN MY OPINION
1) Immediately leaving the lot, I noticed the steering was way over-assisted. A totally disconnected feeling. Also, the steering ratio is really high - you need a significant amount of angle to make a turn compared to my Murano. And the steering wheel is too thin. All this combines to make a bad experience in the steering department.
2) The engine has no torque. You press the pedal, and it gets noisier, but not much happens. This is a big heavy vehicle, so while the engine specs look good, it doesn't quite translate. Also, while the Enclave is indeed quiet while cruising, the engine in loud when accelerating (or trying too).
3) Ride is quite soft and mushy. It reminded me that it was a Buick. I was hoping that they were getting away from that image, but its there. Comfy though, but there should be a little sportiness involved.
4) The deal killer - my wife is 5'0". She could not find a comfortable driving position. The seat does not go high enough to see adequately over that large hump over the gauges. She was straining her neck trying to see. The Enclave does not offer adjustable pedals, so she was forced to move the seat so far forward that her arms were cramped up to the steering wheel. Yes, the telescoping wheel was all the way in. The dealer tried his best, than said it was a problem. The Saturn guy said no adjustable pedals was stupid as well, especially since the Aura had them.
So while seeing it in person, and the specs, pictures, and brochures all look good - I am not sold on driving dynamics and my wife can't even drive it.
Its a shame - it is so beautiful, and I like GM and want to support Bob Lutz, who I admire greatly. The interior is great - I went back to Outlook which I previously said had a nice interior, and now it looks cheap.
Anyway - flame away.
Derek
1) Exterior: Really, really nice. Everything about it is beautiful - the chrome surrounds around the taillights, the blue rings on the Xenons, the substantial nose, the side sculpting. They did a great job.
2) Interior: Again, really nice. I didn't find the wood to be bad, as some have suggested. I saw both the tan and the black. The tan is nice, the black is a little too black. I guess the two tone schemes worked better in my opinion. The 2nd row pass through is great, since I have two baby seats and the slide system becomes useless. Easy access to a fairly large 3rd row.
Now, the 4 bad points - IN MY OPINION
1) Immediately leaving the lot, I noticed the steering was way over-assisted. A totally disconnected feeling. Also, the steering ratio is really high - you need a significant amount of angle to make a turn compared to my Murano. And the steering wheel is too thin. All this combines to make a bad experience in the steering department.
2) The engine has no torque. You press the pedal, and it gets noisier, but not much happens. This is a big heavy vehicle, so while the engine specs look good, it doesn't quite translate. Also, while the Enclave is indeed quiet while cruising, the engine in loud when accelerating (or trying too).
3) Ride is quite soft and mushy. It reminded me that it was a Buick. I was hoping that they were getting away from that image, but its there. Comfy though, but there should be a little sportiness involved.
4) The deal killer - my wife is 5'0". She could not find a comfortable driving position. The seat does not go high enough to see adequately over that large hump over the gauges. She was straining her neck trying to see. The Enclave does not offer adjustable pedals, so she was forced to move the seat so far forward that her arms were cramped up to the steering wheel. Yes, the telescoping wheel was all the way in. The dealer tried his best, than said it was a problem. The Saturn guy said no adjustable pedals was stupid as well, especially since the Aura had them.
So while seeing it in person, and the specs, pictures, and brochures all look good - I am not sold on driving dynamics and my wife can't even drive it.
Its a shame - it is so beautiful, and I like GM and want to support Bob Lutz, who I admire greatly. The interior is great - I went back to Outlook which I previously said had a nice interior, and now it looks cheap.
Anyway - flame away.
Derek