The 2017 Buick Enclave lasts around 250,000 miles with some average brake and steering issues reported. At $17,725 to $29,590, it’s a great value for a three-row midsize SUV with some nice interior materials.
Is the 2017 Buick Enclave a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2017 is a good year for the Buick Enclave, although it’s mediocre and outdated compared to some competitors. Owner reviews praise the smooth suspension, stereo system, along with the storage space.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are fairly nice for a midsize SUV in its price range, the seats are very comfortable, cargo space is also excellent.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread problems found on the 2017 Enclave. Avoid models from 2008–2012 which have mechanical issues, while 2013–2021 are more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard V6 engine, although it’s not as fast as some other SUVs on the market.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2017 Enclave is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include lane departure warning along with blind spot monitoring.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – Fuel economy is poor at up to 18 MPG, giving 396 miles of range from the 22 gallon tank. Gas costs are $72 higher than average at $323 per month.
- Value 7/10 – The 2017 Buick Enclave is cheaper than other SUVs, although they do depreciate faster than average as well.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Buick Enclave?
- Consumer Reports says the 2017 Buick Enclave offers a nice interior, while also getting decent owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Enclave at 4.1/5, praising the smooth suspension, but doesn’t like the out-of-date entertainment technology.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Enclave a 4.4/5, enjoying the adult-friendly third row, but owners don’t like the lack of safety technology.
What Common Problems Does the 2017 Buick Enclave Have?
Common problems found on the 2017 Buick Enclave include spongy brake feel, steering issues, along with squeaking from the door hinges. Overall, these problems are similar to other midsize SUVs on the market, leading to average repair bills as the Enclave ages.
Spongy brake feel is the most widespread complaint from 2017 Enclave owners, showing up in the first 10,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by low brake fluid levels which leads to lower brake pressure. Checking the fluid levels and topping it off solves the problem, usually, costing around $30.
Steering issues have also been reported by some owners at around 2,500 miles. Owners mentioned the steering feeling very loose. There is an encoder ring which is exposed to the elements, which gets metallic debris stuck to it, and gives steering error messages. Cleaning off the encoder ring costs around $50, depending on local labor rates.
Squeaking from the door hinges also shows up on some Enclave models in the first 1,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused simply by poor alignment with the door and hinges. Usually simply re-aligning the door and lubricating the hinges fixes the problem and costs around $200.
There are three recalls on the 2017 Buick Enclave, which is similar to many other midsize SUVs from the same year. All three of the recalls cover air bag inflators, which may explode. This is a common recall across all makes and models, and is not a concern once the inflators have been replaced for free by your dealership.
How Long Will the 2017 Buick Enclave Last?
A well-maintained 2017 Buick Enclave can last around 250,000 miles, which is shorter than some other midsize SUVs including the Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly higher than some competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $648 per year.
As a used 2017 Buick Enclave reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the serpentine belt for $150, ignition coil costing $265, along with the coolant reservoir which costs around $500.
I have had minor issues with the Buick enclave but the dealership has resolved these issues. Each item has been covered under the manufacturer warranty.
I have never had an issue with my car, it is pretty new but it runs good and always gets me where I need to go
The only problem I have had was at 23,000 miles my check engine light came on and my air conditioning stopped working. I was able to get my car to the dealership in a timely manner, was given a loaner and the problem was fixed.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen display with OnStar telematics. Optional upgrades include a more powerful 10-speaker Bose stereo system.
Standard safety technology is basic, offering a rearview camera.
Optional advanced driver safety equipment includes:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Lane departure warning
- Forward collision warning
Is the 2017 Buick Enclave a Good Value?
Yes, the 2017 Buick Enclave is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other SUVs with no serious problems reported. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $17,725 to $29,590, making it less than a Subaru Outback or Jeep Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $39,065 to $49,625. Depreciation is worse than other SUVs, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Buick Enclave?
There are three different models of the 2017 Buick Enclave offered from the base Convenience through the Premium. The Enclave comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
Convenience is the entry-level model with:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic xenon headlights
- Heated side mirrors
- Rear privacy glass
- Power liftgate
- Rear parking sensors
- Remote engine start
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Eight-way power driver seat (plus two-way lumbar adjustment)
- Two-way power front passenger seat
- Leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Cruise control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Standard electronics include:
- OnStar telematics (with 4G LTE and onboard Wi-Fi hotspot)
- Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
- Rearview camera
- 5-inch touchscreen display
- Buick’s IntelliLink interface (voice control and smartphone radio app integration)
- Dual USB charge ports
- Six-speaker sound system (CD player, auxiliary audio input jack, USB audio interface, and satellite radio)
Leather falls in the middle of the lineup, adding:
- Includes all features from the Convenience trim level, plus:
- Leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat
- Heated steering wheel
- Driver memory settings
- Blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert
Premium has even more features such as:
- 19-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels
- Adaptive headlights
- Power-folding mirrors (with auto-dimming on the driver side)
- Forward collision alert
- Lane departure warning
- Ventilated front seats
- Power-adjustable steering column
- Navigation system
- 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system
- Options include:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Dual-panel sunroof
- Rear-seat video entertainment system
- Towing package
- Tuscan Edition and Sport Touring Edition packages (distinctive trim and wheels with bronze and satin black finishes)
What Engines Come In the Buick Enclave?
The 2017 Buick Enclave comes with a single engine option, a 3.6-liter V6 engine. This engine produces 288 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave offers a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg for the front-wheel-drive models, and 17 mpg for the all-wheel-drive models. As for its performance, the 2017 Enclave can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds, which is an average time for a midsize SUV in its class.
What Colors Does the Buick Enclave Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Buick Enclave?
The 2017 Buick Enclave is known for its comfortable and spacious interior, making it a popular choice among families and those seeking a relaxing ride. The cabin is designed to accommodate up to seven passengers across its three rows of seating, and it offers ample headroom and legroom for both adults and children.
The seats are plush and supportive, providing a comfortable journey even during longer drives. One of the standout features of the Enclave is its quiet ride, thanks to Buick’s Quiet Tuning technology, which effectively reduces road, wind, and engine noise, providing a serene atmosphere inside the cabin.
How Much Storage Space Does the Buick Enclave Have?
The 2017 Buick Enclave boasts a generous amount of storage space, making it an ideal choice for families and road trips. With a total cargo capacity of 115.2 cubic feet when both the second and third-row seats are folded down, it can easily accommodate a small couch or loveseat, a washing machine or dryer, or even a queen-size mattress, although it may not lay completely flat.
With 68.9 cubic feet of space available when the third-row seats are folded, the Enclave can fit a large flat-screen TV in its box, a bicycle with the front wheel removed, or several large moving boxes or storage bins. When all the seats are in place, the Enclave still provides a roomy 23.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row, suitable for fitting several suitcases or duffle bags for a family road trip, a week’s worth of groceries for a family, or a folded stroller and diaper bag. This versatile cargo space makes the 2017 Buick Enclave a practical option for various needs and activities.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the Buick Enclave was introduced for the 2008 model year, and was replaced by the second generation in 2018.
2015: No major changes from earlier years.
2016: Newest version of OnStar added with 4G LTE Connectivity, Tuscan Edition launched with bronze grille and larger wheels.
2017: No changes.
2018: Fully redesigned for the second generation with new styling, engines, and technology.
2019: New Preferred model which is below Essence.
2020: Minor changes to individual packages.
2021: No major changes from other years.
How Does the Buick Enclave Compare to the Competition?
The 2017 Buick Enclave is a decent midsize SUV offering an upscale interior paired with decent reliability ratings as it ages, although it’s not the most exciting choice on the market.
The GMC Acadia is a competitor which is available in the same price range. Both the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are built on the same base platform, while the Buick Enclave has a nicer interior for the price. We recommend the Buick Enclave since you get some more features for your money.
The Ford Explorer is another SUV which costs around $5,500 more. Passenger room is better in the Ford Explorer, while the Buick Enclave offers more luxurious features. We recommend the Ford Explorer since it’s more practical, although both are decent SUVs with similar reliability ratings.
Do Owners Recommend the Buick Enclave?
The Buick enclave is a very good vehicle, it is very solid and heavy. I feel very safe driving the vehicle. I would highly recommend this SUV.
It is wonderful I love it so much and it is perfect in every way shape and form. I will drive this car forever
I really enjoy driving my Buick Enclave, it’s a very solid, heavy and dependable vehicle. The Enclave is very roomy and extremely comfortable with reclining seats in the back.