Filling the luxury gap of the Buick Enclave line of SUVs, the Avenir has appointments not found in other trim levels of this mid-size SUV. There are six trim levels in the Buick Enclave lineup.
However, Buick considers the Enclave Avenir their answer to the competition’s better-appointed SUVs.
Features of the Buick Enclave Avenir
The Avenir is the most expensive of the Enclave line of Buick SUVs. With seating for seven to eight passengers, it can escort you and your group across town or the country in easy riding, softly appointed Buick comfort.
The MSRP of the Avenir with front-wheel drive only is $56,995. All-wheel drive adds another $2000 to the price of the Avenir, which brings the starting MSRP to $58,995.
The engine and drive train are the same as every other Enclave, a 3.6L V6 that produces 310 horsepower. The engine powers the front wheels of the FWD models. The power goes to all four wheels when equipped with all-wheel drive, and both drive trains use a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Avenir FWD returns 18 City/26 Highway and 21 combined miles per gallon. When equipped with AWD, fuel mileage is 25 highway and 20 combined miles per gallon. The zero to 60 times for the Avenir is 7.5 seconds. Towing capacity for the Avenir is 5000 pounds.
Buick cabins insulate you well from the noise outside, and the Enclave Avenir is no exception. Yet, with all of their comfort, Buicks still handle well in town and on the road. However, the Enclave Avenir’s fuel mileage doesn’t compare to some of its competitors.
Three SUVs very similar to the Buick Enclave Avenir
General Motors builds and sells Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC trucks, SUVs, and cars. So, of course, the vehicles most similar to the Buick Enclave Avenir are other General Motor vehicles.
1. Chevy Traverse
Like the Enclave Avenir, the Chevy Traverse is offered in six trim levels. However, the starting MSRP of $33,920 for the Traverse LS rises to $51,200 for the Traverse High Country trim.
The estimated fuel mileage is 18 city/27 highway and 21 combined miles per gallon for the Chevrolet Traverse. The zero to 60 miles per hour time for the Traverse is 6.9 seconds, which is about average for this sector of SUVs.
All trim levels are powered by a 3.6L V6 that produces 310 horsepower, similar to the Buick Enclave Avenir. The cheaper Chevy also uses a nine-speed automatic transmission, whether you buy a front-wheel or all-wheel drive Traverse.
Passenger seating in the Traverse is for seven to eight in three rows. Even though the same company makes the Traverse and the Buick, the Buick offers a comfier cabin. However, the cost will be higher than for a Traverse. Towing capacity for the Traverse is a respectable 5000 pounds.
Related: Toyota Highlander vs. Chevy Traverse
2. Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6 is more luxurious than the Traverse and a close match to the Buick, but it is more expensive. It will take a test ride in the Cadillac XT6, the Buick Avenir, and the Chevy Traverse to determine their comfort level, compared to the starting MSRP of $48,595, for the base model XT6.
The first difference between the Avenir and the XT6 is the base engines. The Luxury trim level of the Cadillac is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L inline four-cylinder that produces 237 horsepower. The following two trim levels get the 310 horsepower, 3.6L V6 used in the Buick Avenir, and the Chevrolet Traverse.
The fuel mileage of the Cadillac XT6, when equipped with the 2.0L 4-cylinder, is. 21 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. The V6 of the upper two trim levels returns an estimated mileage of 19 city and 26 highway miles per gallon.
The 2.0L-powered Cadillac XT6 can make the run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds. Unfortunately, the towing capacity of all trim levels is a meager 1000 pounds.
3. Acura MDX
Similar to the Enclave Avenir, the MDX has seating for seven passengers. The MDX is Acura’s mid-size SUV powered by a 3.5L V6 that produces 290 horsepower. The MDX is available in five trim levels and has a starting MSRP of $48,000 for the base model.
If you have the money and can opt for the starting price of $72,050, the Type S Advance, with SH-AWD® and the turbo V6, is the optimal trim level for the MDX.
However, the optional Turbo 3.0L V6 produces 355 horsepower and can zip the MDX from zero to 60 in 5.4 seconds. Comparing that to the 3.5-liter models, 6.3-second trip, the results of the extra power are evident.
The fuel mileage of the MDX, when powered by a 3.5-liter engine, is 19 city/26 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon. The towing capacity of the Acura MDX is 3500 pounds for the front-wheel drive model and 5000 pounds when equipped with an all-wheel drive system.
More SUVs similar to the Buick Enclave Avenir
Most SUVs come in base and luxury trim models. However, Buick, Cadillac, Acura, BMW, and other top-shelf brands offer more comfortable cars across all trim levels. Some SUVs on this list are similar in features and cost to the Buick Enclave Avenir. Others may have more or less to offer than the Buick, and only you can decide.
4. 2023 Audi Q5
From $43,500 for the Audi Q5 to $59,200 for the SQ5 Sportback, Audi builds SUVs similar to the Enclave Avenir. With luxury built in from the start, the Q5 is powered by a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower and drives all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic with dual clutches.
The fuel mileage of the Q5 is 23 city/29 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon. The zero to 60 times of the Q5 is 6.3 seconds, so even though it has one of the lowest horsepower engines on the list, the performance of the Audi Q5 does not suffer.
If you would like to shave a second off of the zero to 60 time of your Audi Q5, then look at the Audi Q5 PHEV. Its plug-in hybrid system produces 362 horsepower that will launch the Q5 PHEV from zero to 60 in 5.0 seconds flat. Towing capacity isn’t at the bottom of this list either, because the Q5 can tow up to 4,400 pounds when properly equipped.
5. Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango has similarities to the Enclave Avenir, and they are sportier than the Buick. The Durango, keeping with the Dodge tradition of more power, which is always better, comes standard with a 3.5L V6 that produces 293 horsepower in the three lower trim levels. Fuel mileage for the Durango with this power is 19 city/ 24 highway miles per gallon.
When you get to the Dodge Durango R/T RWD, things get more interesting because the V6 gets replaced with a 5.7L Hemi® V8 that produces 360 horsepower. But wait, that’s not all! The Durango SRT 392 AWD gets a Dodge 6.4L Hemi® that produces 485 horsepower that will launch it from zero to 60 miles per hour in a scant 4.4 seconds.
As I said at first, the Durango is more of a fire-eating sports SUV than one built for luxury. However, if you need a vehicle that can haul your toys, the Durango in its base trim has the power to tow up to 6200 pounds.
When equipped with the larger engines, the towing capacity rises to 7400 pounds for the 5.7 V8, and a whopping 8700 pounds for the 6.4L Hemi® V8 powered Durango SRT 392 AWD.
6. GMC Acadia
With four trim levels and two engine choices, the GMC Acadia is another SUV similar to the Enclave Avenir. The base engine of the Acadia is a 2.0L inline four-cylinder that produces 228 horsepower and returns fuel mileage of 22 city/ 29 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon. The zero to 60 times for this model is 6.1 seconds.
The engine on the top three trims is GMs 3.6L V6, producing 310 horsepower. This engine delivers fuel mileage of 19 city/ 27 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon. The starting MSRP for the Acadia SLE is $36,695. The top-of-the-line Denali has a starting MSRP of $48,495.
The game changer with the Acadia is that there is no trim level, but the Acadia AT4 can have an all-wheel drive system as an option. Towing capacity, however, ranges from 3500 to 5000 pounds, determined by how you equip your Acadia SUV.
7. Honda Pilot
With seven trim levels, Honda has a Pilot for every taste. The base Pilot Sport has a starting MSRP of $38,080.
The top-tier Honda Pilot Black Edition has a starting MSRP of $51,870, and all-wheel drive is standard on this trim.
All Honda Pilot trim levels get the same 3.5L V6 that produces 280 horsepower, driving the front wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The two-wheel drive pilot’s fuel mileage is 19 city/ 26 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon.
With front-wheel drive, the zero to 60 time for the Honda Pilot is 6.3 seconds. The towing capacity of the Pilot is 3500 pounds when equipped with two-wheel drive and 5000 pounds when equipped with all-wheel drive.
8. Hyundai Palisade
One of the newest SUVs on the market, the Hyundai Palisade, is turning heads. It is an attractive mid-sized SUV with a starting MSRP of $34,950 for the SE trimmed model.
The highest trim level goes to the Palisade Calligraphy, which has a starting MSRP of $48,900, less than some base model SUVs on this list. Power for all Palisade trim levels comes from a 3.8L V6 that produces 291 horsepower. All trim levels come with front-wheel drive, and an all-wheel drive system is an option on all Palisade models.
Fuel mileage with FWD is 19 city/ 27 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon. The towing capacity of the Hyundai Palisade is 5000 pounds, but only if it is equipped with all-wheel drive.
9. Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is legendary and a mid-size SUV like the Buick Enclave. The base Jeep Cherokee Laredo starts at $40,720. At the high end is the Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve 4X4, which has a starting MSRP of $67,175.
All Jeep Cherokee trim levels are powered by a 3.6L V6 that develops 293 horsepower. However, several 4X4 models are available with a 5.7L V8 as an option.
When equipped with the V6 engine, the estimated fuel mileage of the Cherokee is 19 city/ 26 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon. In addition, the towing capacity of the Jeep Cherokee is 6200 pounds.
10. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a newcomer to the SUV market. However, the entry MSRP of $33,390 for the base LX is a competitive price point against similar SUVs. The top trim Telluride SX has a starting MSRP of $43,290. For the price, whether it’s a luxury car or not, the Telluride is worth a test drive.
Powered by a 3.8L V6 that produces 291 horsepower, it can speed the Telluride from zero to 60 in 6.2 seconds. All levels come standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. Fuel mileage on the Telluride is 20 city/26 highway and 23 combined miles per gallon.
The towing capacity of the Kia Telluride is 5000 pounds when properly equipped.
11. Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln has a couple of SUVs priced lower than the Aviator and more in range with the Buick Enclave Avenir. However, getting a Lincoln that can seat seven instead of five requires a starting MSRP of $53,340.
The top model is the Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring. That prestigious title will set you back about an estimated $89,280. Power for the two lower trim levels comes from a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 that produces 400 horsepower.
The power drives the rear wheels via a ten-speed automatic transmission, and all four wheels when equipped with optional all-wheel drive. The resulting run from zero to 60 miles per hour for the Lincoln Aviator is 5.5 seconds.
The fuel mileage of the Lincoln Aviator is 18 city and 21 highway miles per gallon, which is not quite as good as other SUVs on this list. However, it is one of the fastest SUVs due to its power output, raising fuel consumption. But oh, the fun.
12. Mazda CX-9
Not a fresh face. However, the Mazda CX-9 is holding its own against similar SUVs. The base Mazda CX-9 Sport has a starting MSRP of $35,630. At the top end is the CX-9 Signature, which has a starting MSRP of $47,560.
The beauty of the CX-9 compared to similar cars in this list is that every trim level is served up with all-wheel drive as a standard feature. Power for every CX-9 comes from Mazda’s turbocharged 2.5L inline 4-cylinder. It produces 250 horsepower to propel the CX-9 from zero to 60 in 7.2 seconds.
The estimated fuel mileage of the CX-9 is 20 city and 26 highway miles per gallon. Also, the Mazda CX-9 can tow up to 3500 pounds when properly equipped.
13. Nissan Pathfinder
With a choice of eight trim levels, the Nissan Pathfinder has an MSRP as low as $34,640 for the S model. The Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD is on the high end, which has a starting MSRP of $49,040 with a standard four-wheel drive.
Power for every trim level of the Pathfinder is from a 3.5L V6 that produces 284 horsepower. The estimated fuel mileage is 21 city/ 26 highway and 23 combined miles per gallon. The zero to 60 times for the Pathfinder S is 6.7 seconds.
All trim levels provide a third-row seat. However, some models seat seven when equipped with second-row captain’s seats. For example, the Pathfinder seats eight when equipped with a second-row bench seat instead of the captain’s chair. The towing capacity of the Nissan Pathfinder is 3500 to 6000 pounds and depends on how your SUV is equipped.