Buick Enclave vs. GMC Acadia

Welcome to Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC, your home for all your Buick and GMC automotive needs. If you’ve been searching for a new SUV, chances are you’ve heard about the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia. Both vehicles have a well-earned reputation for reliable performance and come with the latest comfort and convenience features you crave. So to help you decide which model best suits your lifestyle, we created this head-to-head comparison.

Buick Enclave Highlights

With the Buick Enclave, you have four trims to choose from: Preferred, Essence, Premier, and Avenir. While each trim features the unmistakable Enclave appearance, they have subtle differences that make them unique. In addition, every model comes with Quiet Tuning Technology, keeping road and engine noise from penetrating the cabin, letting you enjoy the quiet solitude or your favorite music without distraction. 

Other premium touches to the Preferred trim include a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Plus, you get the Buick Infotainment system featuring HD audio and a color interactive display.

You’ll find leather-trimmed upholstery in the first two rows moving to the Essence trim. You get additional driver-assist systems such as lane change alert, side blind zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert added to your standard suite. In addition, your infotainment system includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth technology to sync and operate your smart devices.

Next up, your Premier trim comes with a premium audio system from Bose. This 10-speaker system was designed specifically for Enclave’s cabin to provide the highest-quality listening experience. Other premium features include heated and ventilated front seats that massage in relaxed comfort on long drives. Your third-row seats were power-fold with the push of a button.

Buick’s top-tier Avenir trim adds signature exterior style with an exclusive grille and power moonroof. Technology enhancements include a wireless charging pad and the new rear vision camera that transforms your review mirror into a video screen that projects a wide-angle live view from behind your Enclave. Another useful feature is the HD surround vision system. This system provides you with a bird’s eye view of your Enclave to help you maneuver in tight quarters.

GMC Acadia Highlights

You can choose the SLE, SLT, AT4, or Denali trim when shopping for the GMC Acadia as a buyer. You also have two special editions, the Elevation and the Denali Ultimate Package. Like the Enclave, the Acadia models have trim-exclusive features such as signature grilles, wheel options, and trim packages. 

GMC crafted the Acadia with athletic proportions such as a wide stance, sculpted sides, and flared wheel wells. In addition, every trim features low-profile roof rails in various colors.

On the special edition Elevation, you get blacked-out trim all around, including premium 20-inch aluminum wheels in gloss black, plus signature black badging inside and out. In addition, the Denali Ultimate Package comes with performance upgrades to the powertrain, drivetrain, and premium exterior touches like the dual-panel moonroof.

Buick Enclave Performance

Every Enclave comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with dual overhead cams and 24 valves with spark-ignition direct-injection technology. Buick pairs this engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission. As a result, this powertrain delivers 310 horsepower, 266 pound-feet of torque, and tows up to 5,000 pounds. 

Buick’s switchable all-wheel-drive (AWD) system works automatically. When the system senses a loss of traction, it diverts power to the wheels that can use it most, thus enabling you to traverse slippery and snow-covered roads and other soft surfaces. On dry roads, the AWD system enhances cornering ability and improves acceleration.

Now, Buick offers a Trailering Package that includes the hitch and wiring installation, plus a hitch guidance system to help you back up to your trailer. This system sends a live feed from behind you with a precise view of your trailer hitch and grid lines to help you with steering and distance.

GMC Acadia Performance

GMC offers two engine options on the Acadia. On the two lower trims, you have a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. This turbocharged engine uses spark ignition direct injection and variable valve timing technology. You also get auto start/stop technology to maximize efficiency. GMC mates this engine with a nine-speed transmission to produce 228 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque, and tow up to 3,300 pounds.

On the AT4 and Denali trims, you get a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with variable valve timing, spark ignition direct injection, and auto start/stop technology. This engine pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission. As a result, this powertrain puts out an impressive 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, and can tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly set up.

You get a capable front-wheel-drive system on the Denali, SLT, and SLE models, with the option to add all-wheel-drive for more traction and control. In addition, the off-road-inspired Acadia AT4 trim comes only in all-wheel-drive. This intelligent system monitors your Acadia’s throttle, steering, torque, and wheel spin to determine where to send power in low-traction situations. You also have selectable drive modes to tune your performance to the road further. All-wheel-drive is available on every Acadia trim.

Driver-Assist Technologies

Both vehicles come with a suite of driver-assist systems designed to improve safety and elevate your driving experience. For example, you’ll find both vehicles have a forward collision warning system that engages emergency braking if necessary. Other systems include lane change and lane-keep alert systems that help you stay centered and avoid unintentional drifts. 

At Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC, we know quality SUVs when we see them. That’s why we stock an expansive inventory of Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia SUVs. If you’re ready to take a serious look at a reliable, capable SUV, we invite you to browse our inventor online. Or, if you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can stop by our dealership at any time.

Image via Flickr by MSVG

Tags: Buick Enclave, Comparison, GMC Acadia
Posted in New Inventory | No Comments »