As the automotive market continues to evolve, SUVs have taken center stage, offering the perfect blend of versatility, comfort, and performance. Two notable contenders in the midsize SUV category are the 2023 GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. Both vehicles are part of the General Motors family and share some commonalities, but they also have their own unique characteristics that cater to distinct consumer preferences.
We’ll delve into the factors that distinguish these two SUVs, helping you make an informed decision on which vehicle best suits your needs and desires.
Exterior Design
The 2023 GMC Acadia sports a bold and rugged appearance, featuring a prominent grille, LED headlights, and chiseled lines. Its muscular stance, angular wheel arches, and striking alloy wheels make for an impressive presence on the road. The Acadia is available in several eye-catching colors, allowing drivers to personalize their SUV to their liking.
In contrast, the 2023 Buick Enclave exhibits a more elegant and refined design. Its sculpted body, chrome accents, and signature Buick grille create a sophisticated silhouette. The Enclave’s LED headlights and taillights add a touch of modernity to its classic design. With a variety of available color options, drivers can choose a hue that best represents their style.
Interior Design
Inside the 2023 GMC Acadia, you’ll find a well-appointed cabin with a mix of high-quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, and durable plastics. The dashboard features a user-friendly infotainment system, with clear graphics and intuitive controls. The Acadia also offers a range of available features, such as a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
The Buick Enclave’s interior exudes luxury, with premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Its spacious and quiet cabin boasts comfortable seating, along with an intuitive infotainment system. Available features for the Enclave include a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a premium Bose audio system.
Seating
The 2023 GMC Acadia offers seating for up to seven passengers, with a standard second-row bench seat or available captain’s chairs. Both the first and second rows provide ample headroom and legroom, while the third row is best suited for children or smaller adults. Available features include power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats.
The Buick Enclave also accommodates up to seven passengers, but its standard second-row captain’s chairs offer a more spacious and comfortable experience. All three rows provide generous headroom and legroom, making the Enclave a top choice for families or those who frequently transport multiple passengers. Available seating features include power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats.
Storage
Both the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave offer ample cargo space for daily needs and weekend getaways. The Acadia provides 12.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 79 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. This makes it suitable for carrying luggage, groceries, or camping gear.
The Buick Enclave boasts a more generous cargo area, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. This extra space makes the Enclave a more practical choice for those with larger cargo needs.
Performance
Under the hood, the 2023 GMC Acadia offers two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbo charged 4-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower. Both engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Acadia delivers a smooth and responsive ride, with balanced handling and capable performance on various road conditions.
The 2023 Buick Enclave is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 310 horsepower, which is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Like the Acadia, the Enclave offers a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Despite its size, the Enclave provides a comfortable and composed ride, with precise steering and minimal body roll.
Fuel Efficiency
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the 2023 GMC Acadia offers competitive numbers in its segment. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Opting for the 3.6-liter V6 engine results in slightly lower fuel efficiency, with an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
The 2023 Buick Enclave, equipped with its 3.6-liter V6 engine, offers an estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Although these numbers are slightly lower than the Acadia’s, the Enclave still offers respectable fuel efficiency for a midsize SUV of its size and power.
Safety
Both the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave come equipped with an array of standard safety features, such as rearview cameras, rear parking sensors, and a suite of airbags.
Additionally, both SUVs offer available advanced safety and driver assistance technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Trim Levels
The 2023 GMC Acadia is available in four trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. Each trim offers a unique set of features and options, allowing buyers to customize their Acadia according to their preferences and budget.
The 2023 Buick Enclave is offered in three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir. Like the Acadia, each Enclave trim provides a distinct combination of features and amenities, catering to a wide range of buyers.
Pricing
Pricing for the 2023 GMC Acadia starts at around $34,000 for the base SL trim and can reach up to $50,000 for a fully loaded Denali model. The 2023 Buick Enclave’s pricing starts slightly higher, with the base Preferred trim priced at around $41,000, and the range-topping Avenir trim reaching up to $58,000.
Key Differences
Exterior Design:
The GMC Acadia boasts a bold and rugged appearance, while the Buick Enclave exhibits a more elegant and refined design. The Acadia’s muscular stance and angular wheel arches give it a more adventurous look, whereas the Enclave’s sculpted body and chrome accents exude luxury and sophistication.
Interior Design:
The Acadia features a well-appointed cabin with a mix of high-quality materials and durable plastics, while the Enclave’s interior is more focused on luxury, with premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship. The Enclave also offers a quieter cabin compared to the Acadia.
Seating Configuration:
The Acadia comes with a standard second-row bench seat or available captain’s chairs, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Enclave, on the other hand, features standard second-row captain’s chairs, providing a more spacious and comfortable experience for passengers.
Cargo Space:
The Buick Enclave offers more cargo space compared to the GMC Acadia. The Enclave provides 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. In comparison, the Acadia has 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.
Engine Options:
The GMC Acadia offers two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower. The Buick Enclave, however, comes with a single engine choice: a 3.6-liter V6 engine that also generates 310 horsepower.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Acadia offers better fuel efficiency, particularly with its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which delivers an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The Enclave, with its 3.6-liter V6 engine, provides an estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Pricing:
The GMC Acadia has a lower starting price, with the base SL trim starting at around $34,000. The Buick Enclave’s base Preferred trim starts at around $41,000. The range-topping Acadia Denali model costs around $50,000, while the Enclave Avenir can reach up to $58,000.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing between the 2023 GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, both vehicles have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. The Acadia’s bold, rugged design and more fuel-efficient engine options make it an appealing choice for those with an adventurous spirit, while the Enclave’s elegant styling, luxurious interior, and spacious cabin cater to buyers seeking comfort and refinement. The decision ultimately comes down to your personal tastes, requirements, and budget. Regardless of your choice, both the Acadia and Enclave are solid options in the midsize SUV market, offering a blend of style, performance, and practicality.
Features Breakdown
GMC Acadia:
- Exterior Design:
- Bold and rugged appearance
- Prominent grille and LED headlights
- Angular wheel arches and striking alloy wheels
- Variety of color options
- Interior Design:
- High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Available wireless charging pad, head-up display, and rear-seat entertainment system
- Seating:
- Seating for up to seven passengers
- Standard second-row bench seat or available captain’s chairs
- Available power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats
- Storage:
- 12.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row
- 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 79 cubic feet with both rear rows folded
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (228 hp) or 3.6-liter V6 engine (310 hp)
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 2.0L: 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
- 3.6L: 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Standard rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and airbags
- Available advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more
- Trim Levels:
- SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali
- Pricing:
- Starts at around $34,000 (SL) and goes up to around $50,000 (Denali)
Buick Enclave:
- Exterior Design:
- Elegant and refined design
- Sculpted body, chrome accents, and signature Buick grille
- LED headlights and taillights
- Variety of color options
- Interior Design:
- Premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship
- Spacious and quiet cabin
- Intuitive infotainment system
- Available heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and premium Bose audio system
- Seating:
- Seating for up to seven passengers
- Standard second-row captain’s chairs
- Available power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats
- Storage:
- 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row
- 58 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 97.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded
- Performance:
- 3.6-liter V6 engine (310 hp)
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Standard rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and airbags
- Available advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more
- Trim Levels:
- Preferred, Essence, and Avenir
- Pricing:
- Starts at around $41,000 (Preferred) and goes up to around $58,000 (Avenir)
