When it comes to selecting the perfect family SUV, there are countless options available to suit a wide range of preferences and budgets. Two standout contenders, the 2023 Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse, have captured the attention of drivers seeking a blend of style, comfort, and performance in a spacious, feature-rich package.
In this comparison, we’ll delve into the details of these two SUVs, examining their respective strengths and key differences to help you make an informed decision on which one best meets your needs and lifestyle.
Exterior Design:
The 2023 Buick Enclave showcases a refined, elegant exterior design. With its sleek lines, signature Buick grille, and LED headlamps, the Enclave makes a bold statement on the road. This premium SUV also features standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, with the option for 20-inch wheels on higher trims.
The Chevy Traverse, on the other hand, boasts a more aggressive, sporty design. Its bold front grille, angular headlights, and sculpted body lines give it a distinctive look that sets it apart from other family SUVs. The Traverse comes standard with 18-inch wheels, with optional 20-inch wheels available on higher trims.
Interior Design:
Step inside the 2023 Buick Enclave, and you’ll be greeted by a luxurious, well-appointed cabin. High-quality materials, such as leather and wood accents, give the Enclave a premium feel. The QuietTuning technology ensures a serene ride by reducing road noise, and the available panoramic moonroof adds to the upscale ambiance.
The Chevy Traverse also offers a comfortable, spacious interior, with an emphasis on functionality. While it may not boast the same level of luxury as the Enclave, the Traverse still offers quality materials and a user-friendly design. A standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (upgradable to 8 inches) ensures easy access to your favorite entertainment and navigation features.
Seating:
Both the Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse come standard with seating for up to eight passengers, thanks to their roomy three-row layouts. Both SUVs offer comfortable, supportive seats, with the Enclave featuring higher-quality upholstery options, such as perforated leather-appointed seating on the Avenir trim. The Traverse, while comfortable, doesn’t quite match the Enclave’s premium feel in terms of seating materials.
Storage:
In terms of storage, both the Enclave and Traverse excel, offering ample cargo space for families on the go. With all three rows of seats in use, both SUVs provide roughly 23 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the third-row seats expands the cargo area to about 58 cubic feet, while folding both the second and third rows opens up a generous 98 cubic feet of space.
Performance:
Under the hood, both the 2023 Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. They both feature a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission and offer either front-wheel or all-wheel drive options. While their performance figures are nearly identical, the Enclave provides a slightly more refined driving experience, thanks to its improved suspension and handling.
Fuel Efficiency:
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Enclave and Traverse are quite similar. Both SUVs achieve an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. Opting for all-wheel drive will slightly decrease these numbers, but overall, both models deliver competitive fuel economy for their size.
Safety:
Safety is a priority for both Buick and Chevy, and the 2023 Enclave and Traverse are no exceptions. Both SUVs come equipped with a suite of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, rear park assist, and the Teen Driver system, which helps encourage safe driving habits for young drivers.
Additional advanced safety features are available on higher trim levels, such as forward collision alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. While both models boast impressive safety credentials, the Buick Enclave offers a few extra features, such as a standard high-definition surround-view camera on the Avenir trim.
Trim Levels:
The 2023 Buick Enclave is available in four trim levels: Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir. Each trim offers progressively more luxurious features and amenities, including upgraded upholstery, enhanced safety systems, and advanced infotainment options.
The Chevy Traverse comes in six trim levels: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, and High Country. This variety ensures that there is a Traverse for every budget and preference, with the High Country trim offering many of the same upscale features found in the Buick Enclave.
Pricing:
As a luxury SUV, the 2023 Buick Enclave comes with a higher starting price than the more budget-friendly Chevy Traverse. The base Enclave Preferred trim starts at around $42,000, while the top-of-the-line Avenir trim can reach upwards of $56,000.
In comparison, the Traverse L starts at approximately $33,000, with the range-topping High Country trim priced around $52,000. While the Traverse offers a more accessible entry point, the Enclave’s higher price reflects its premium features and materials.
Key Differences:
Seating materials:
The Enclave offers higher-quality upholstery options, with perforated leather-appointed seating available on the Avenir trim, contributing to a more premium feel inside the cabin. The Traverse, although comfortable, doesn’t quite match the Enclave’s upscale seating materials, opting for more budget-friendly options that prioritize durability and practicality.
Trim variety:
The Traverse features a wider range of trims, with six options catering to various budgets and preference, the Enclave, on the other hand, offers four trims that concentrate on luxury and refinement. This difference in trim variety provides Traverse buyers with more flexibility in terms of price and features, while Enclave buyers can expect a more consistent luxury experience across all trims.
Pricing:
Reflecting its position as a luxury SUV, the Enclave commands a higher starting price than the more budget-friendly Traverse. While the base Enclave Preferred trim starts around $42,000, the entry-level Traverse L begins at approximately $33,000. As a result, the Traverse can accommodate a wider range of budgets, while the Enclave’s higher price reflects the premium features and materials that come standard.
By examining these key differences, prospective buyers can better understand how the 2023 Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse cater to different needs and preferences, allowing them to make a well-informed decision when choosing their next family SUV.
Final Thoughts:
Choosing between the 2023 Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget. If you prioritize luxury, refinement, and upscale features, the Enclave is an excellent choice. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly SUV with a sportier design and similar performance, the Traverse may be the better option.
Both the Enclave and Traverse offer comfortable seating, ample storage, and impressive performance, making them excellent choices for families in need of a reliable and stylish SUV. Regardless of your final decision, you can’t go wrong with either the 2023 Buick Enclave or the Chevy Traverse.
Features Breakdown
Buick Enclave:
- Exterior Design:
- Elegant and refined styling
- Sleek lines and signature Buick grille
- Standard 18-inch aluminum wheels (optional 20-inch wheels on higher trims)
- LED headlamps
- Interior Design:
- Luxurious, well-appointed cabin
- High-quality materials, such as leather and wood accents
- QuietTuning technology for a serene ride
- Available panoramic moonroof
- Seating:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Premium upholstery options, including perforated leather-appointed seating on Avenir trim
- Storage:
- 23 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in use
- 58 cubic feet with third-row seats folded
- 98 cubic feet with second and third rows folded
- Performance:
- 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel or all-wheel drive options
- Refined suspension and handling
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive
- Safety:
- Standard rearview camera, rear park assist, and Teen Driver system
- Available advanced safety features: forward collision alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring
- Standard high-definition surround-view camera on Avenir trim
- Trim Levels:
- Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir
- Pricing:
- Starting price around $42,000 (Preferred trim)
- Top-of-the-line Avenir trim priced around $56,000
Chevy Traverse:
- Exterior Design:
- Aggressive, sporty styling
- Bold front grille and angular headlights
- Standard 18-inch wheels (optional 20-inch wheels on higher trims)
- Interior Design:
- Comfortable, spacious cabin with an emphasis on functionality
- Quality materials and user-friendly layout
- Standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (upgradable to 8 inches)
- Seating:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Comfortable and supportive seats with durable upholstery options
- Storage:
- 23 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in use
- 58 cubic feet with third-row seats folded
- 98 cubic feet with second and third rows folded
- Performance:
- 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel or all-wheel drive options
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive
- Safety:
- Standard rearview camera, rear park assist, and Teen Driver system
- Available advanced safety features: forward collision alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring
- Trim Levels:
- L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, and High Country
- Pricing:
- Starting price around $33,000 (L trim)
- Top-of-the-line High Country trim priced around $52,000
