I purchased the Enclave as a minivan alternative because of looks, minivan stigma, and it's ability to tow 4500 lbs instead of the 3500 lbs an Odyssey can tow. While I fully admit that my towing is extreme (as far as the Enclave goes), it does fall into the design specifications, and the Enclave has been underwhelming.
First the good: pulling a boat out of water with a FWD vehicle is awesome. Plenty of weight on the drive wheels, and they aren't wet so they get plenty of traction. In addition, there is no other vehicle out there that I know of (besides its siblings) that can comfortably seat 4 adults and 3 children, have ample storage room, and tow a 21' boat. Unfortunately that's about all I can really say is good about this vehicle when it comes to towing.
As I detailed in a previous post, I had a service engine soon light come up the very first time I towed the boat to the lake. I've towed the boat 3 times since and not gotten this light.
This past weekend I was on trip 3 and it was around 110 degrees (hottest summer on record in Phoenix, bleh). I had a full 7 people, the AC was on, and I was pulling a boat/trailer combination that weighed 3600 lbs (including fuel/accessories). Even including my body weight the 7 people (3 young children) weighed < 800 lbs which brings my total weight to 4400 lbs give or take a hundred. While pulling the boat up a mild-grade hill I just happened to note the temperature gauge was around 240 degrees; very close to the 260 degree red line. I immediately turned off the AC and just so happened to crest the hill at the same time. With the AC off and coasting down hill the vehicle quickly returned to around 220 degrees.
As all the magazines have pointed out, this vehicle is underpowered -- and that's not pulling anything at all. With a max capacity load it's extremely sluggish. I've owned a Dodge Ram and Chevy Tahoe and both vehicles got pretty similar mileage whether they were towing or not (crappy). My Enclave gets a whopping 9 mpg while towing. The engine has to work too hard to pull the boat out of the water, accelerate, or go up even the smallest of hills to be a proper tow vehicle.
If you're like me and wanted mini-van function with something that can tow a little more weight, bite the bullet and buy a minivan AND a real tow vehicle, because the Enclave will be a disappointment. If you're just towing a motorcycle trailer or a pair of jetskis then this vehicle will probably be sufficient. I really think Buick overrated the towing capabilities of this vehicle. If I had it all to do over again I'd have bought my wife her minivan and sold my M3 and bought a pickup truck. Now I'm probably still going to have to sell my M3 and get a truck because the Enclave has been underwhelming as a tow vehicle. Had I known that I'd be getting a truck anyway, my wife could've gotten her entirely more practical/function minivan instead of the Enclave.
It's not a total loss, the Enclave does look nice, it has the coldest air conditioner I've ever owned, and it's definitely more child friendly than our old Tahoe -- it just can't compare with an Odyssey when it comes to practicality or value.
First the good: pulling a boat out of water with a FWD vehicle is awesome. Plenty of weight on the drive wheels, and they aren't wet so they get plenty of traction. In addition, there is no other vehicle out there that I know of (besides its siblings) that can comfortably seat 4 adults and 3 children, have ample storage room, and tow a 21' boat. Unfortunately that's about all I can really say is good about this vehicle when it comes to towing.
As I detailed in a previous post, I had a service engine soon light come up the very first time I towed the boat to the lake. I've towed the boat 3 times since and not gotten this light.
This past weekend I was on trip 3 and it was around 110 degrees (hottest summer on record in Phoenix, bleh). I had a full 7 people, the AC was on, and I was pulling a boat/trailer combination that weighed 3600 lbs (including fuel/accessories). Even including my body weight the 7 people (3 young children) weighed < 800 lbs which brings my total weight to 4400 lbs give or take a hundred. While pulling the boat up a mild-grade hill I just happened to note the temperature gauge was around 240 degrees; very close to the 260 degree red line. I immediately turned off the AC and just so happened to crest the hill at the same time. With the AC off and coasting down hill the vehicle quickly returned to around 220 degrees.
As all the magazines have pointed out, this vehicle is underpowered -- and that's not pulling anything at all. With a max capacity load it's extremely sluggish. I've owned a Dodge Ram and Chevy Tahoe and both vehicles got pretty similar mileage whether they were towing or not (crappy). My Enclave gets a whopping 9 mpg while towing. The engine has to work too hard to pull the boat out of the water, accelerate, or go up even the smallest of hills to be a proper tow vehicle.
If you're like me and wanted mini-van function with something that can tow a little more weight, bite the bullet and buy a minivan AND a real tow vehicle, because the Enclave will be a disappointment. If you're just towing a motorcycle trailer or a pair of jetskis then this vehicle will probably be sufficient. I really think Buick overrated the towing capabilities of this vehicle. If I had it all to do over again I'd have bought my wife her minivan and sold my M3 and bought a pickup truck. Now I'm probably still going to have to sell my M3 and get a truck because the Enclave has been underwhelming as a tow vehicle. Had I known that I'd be getting a truck anyway, my wife could've gotten her entirely more practical/function minivan instead of the Enclave.
It's not a total loss, the Enclave does look nice, it has the coldest air conditioner I've ever owned, and it's definitely more child friendly than our old Tahoe -- it just can't compare with an Odyssey when it comes to practicality or value.
. At worst there may be a damp bottom or two sitting on child booster seats 
