The Enclave ST AWD: A Buick Without Its Sparkle in a Crowded 2025 Landscape
As an automotive expert who’s navigated the shifting currents of the industry for over a decade, I’ve witnessed countless brands attempt to carve out their niche in the fiercely competitive premium SUV market. Buick, with its long-standing heritage and recent reinvention, has often sought to blend accessible luxury with family-friendly functionality. The 2025 Buick Enclave, particularly in its Sport Touring (ST) all-wheel-drive iteration, provides a fascinating case study in brand positioning and execution. Stripping away the opulence of its top-tier Avenir sibling, the ST aims for a more understated appeal. However, in a market where every dollar demands a tangible return in features, refinement, or sheer driving pleasure, this mid-range Enclave often finds itself struggling to justify its premium badge and price tag.
My initial encounter with the 2025 Enclave ST AWD raised a few eyebrows. While the Avenir trim is generally the showstopper, designed to highlight Buick’s aspirations, receiving the ST variant for an extended evaluation offered a perhaps more revealing look at the Enclave’s core strengths and, critically, its limitations. It became clear that without the full complement of upscale accoutrements, the Enclave ST risks becoming an easily overlooked option in a segment overflowing with compelling alternatives.
Design Evolution: A Step Towards Modernity, But Not Without Caveats
From an exterior aesthetic perspective, Buick has undoubtedly made strides with the 2025 Enclave. Drawing inspiration from the striking Wildcat concept car, the new styling language imbues the Enclave with a contemporary and undeniably handsome presence. The broader stance, sharper lines, and updated grille design present a vehicle that looks more purposeful and modern on the road. This visual upgrade is a welcome departure, helping the Enclave shed some of its previous generation’s more staid aesthetics.
Dimensionally, the Enclave has grown, a strategic move to better accommodate modern families and their growing needs for interior space. Yet, credit where credit is due: Buick’s design team has managed to incorporate this increased size without making the vehicle feel unwieldy. Maneuvering the Enclave through tight city streets or navigating crowded parking lots doesn’t feel like piloting a land yacht, a common pitfall for larger SUVs. This balance of commanding road presence with manageable dimensions is a critical factor for many luxury SUV buyers, especially those frequently ferrying children or navigating urban environments. The overall exterior design successfully positions the Enclave as a contender in the upper-midsize SUV segment, attracting glances and conveying a sense of understated sophistication. However, a captivating exterior needs to be backed by substance, and this is where the ST’s narrative begins to fray.
Powertrain Dynamics: The Four-Cylinder’s Double-Edged Sword
Under the hood, the 2025 Enclave introduces a significant shift: the venerable V6 engine has been supplanted by a new turbocharged four-cylinder unit. This move is a clear nod to tightening fuel efficiency standards and the automotive industry’s relentless pursuit of reduced emissions. On paper, the new engine promises a welcome bump in EPA fuel economy ratings, a genuine concern for today’s discerning consumer increasingly mindful of running costs, even in the luxury sphere.
However, in the real world, the trade-off becomes evident. While the turbocharged four-cylinder delivers adequate power for most daily driving scenarios, it lacks the effortless authority and refined power delivery that defined the outgoing V6. During initial acceleration, especially when merging onto a busy highway or executing a swift pass, there’s a noticeable deficit in immediate torque, and the engine can feel a bit strained under duress. This isn’t to say it’s underpowered, but for a vehicle aiming to compete in the premium vehicle segment, where smooth, responsive power is often a key differentiator, the four-cylinder turbo feels merely sufficient rather than exceptional. The sophisticated engineering behind modern turbocharged engines is undeniable, but matching the silky characteristics of a well-tuned V6 in a large family hauler remains a challenge. The all-wheel-drive system, standard on the ST, provides confident traction in various conditions, a non-negotiable feature for many buyers in regions with inclement weather, yet it doesn’t fundamentally alter the engine’s performance characteristics. This powertrain decision, while improving fuel efficiency, somewhat undermines the overall driving experience expected from a vehicle positioned as a premium offering.
Cabin Critique: Where the ST’s “Luxury” Takes a Hit
Step inside the Enclave ST, and the narrative becomes even more complex. While the basic architecture of the cabin benefits from the 2025 redesign, featuring a large, curved digital display that appears borrowed from Cadillac’s cutting-edge Vistiq and artfully reoriented, the ST’s execution leaves much to be desired. This screen is undoubtedly a focal point, a testament to Buick’s commitment to advanced infotainment integration. The built-in Google Assistant system performs commendably, offering intuitive voice control for navigation, media, and various vehicle functions. The concept of integrating common smartphone applications directly into the car’s operating system, rather than relying solely on phone mirroring, is a forward-thinking approach that enhances the connected car ecosystem. However, those firmly entrenched in the Apple ecosystem might find the constrained Apple CarPlay interface a minor point of contention, relegated to a smaller window on the expansive screen.
The primary issue with the ST’s interior, however, lies not in its digital prowess but in its material choices and design philosophy. The ST model comes exclusively with a monochrome black interior, a choice that, far from exuding sophistication, unfortunately highlights the cabin’s less premium elements. Without contrasting colors or richer textures to break up the monotony, the abundance of hard plastics and noticeable panel gaps becomes glaringly apparent. For a luxury SUV investment in the mid-$60,000 range, this level of fit and finish is simply not competitive. Designers seem to have poured their resources into the electronics at the expense of tactile quality and aesthetic cohesion. The center console, for example, feels like an afterthought, lacking the integrated design and premium feel found in rivals. This contrast is stark when considering competitors like the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy or Kia Telluride SX-Prestige, which offer opulent interiors at similar or even lower price points, showcasing a level of interior material quality and design execution that Buick struggles to match in the ST trim. Even a heavily equipped Chevrolet Traverse High Country, a supposedly “lesser” sibling, often presents a more cohesive and surprisingly upscale cabin experience for a slightly lower price, directly challenging Buick’s brand perception as a luxury purveyor.
Driver Assistance: Super Cruise’s Brilliance, Enclave’s Blind Spot
One of the undeniable technological triumphs within GM’s arsenal is Super Cruise, their hands-free driver assistance system. For 2025, its availability in a Buick is a significant step forward, bringing advanced safety features to a broader audience. Super Cruise earned a well-deserved MotorTrend Best Tech award due to its meticulous, cautious approach to semi-autonomous driving. Its operation is limited to pre-mapped highways, and it gracefully transfers control back to the driver if it encounters any situation it cannot confidently navigate. This judicious application of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) prioritizes safety and reliability, qualities that resonate deeply with families seeking peace of mind on long journeys.
However, the Enclave ST presents a curious omission: when not on a Super Cruise-mapped road, the vehicle offers no form of lane centering whatsoever. This is a perplexing marketing decision. Many similarly sized and priced SUVs, even those without a full hands-free system, provide basic lane-keeping assistance that actively helps center the vehicle within its lane. Buick’s decision to withhold this common feature, especially given that some Cadillac models equipped with Super Cruise do offer a hands-on lane-centering mode, places the Enclave at a distinct disadvantage. It suggests a segmentation strategy that prioritizes the top-tier Avenir while leaving a significant usability gap in the ST. This oversight impacts daily driving convenience and positions the Enclave behind many competitors in terms of comprehensive driver experience optimization, weakening its value proposition for those not always on Super Cruise-enabled routes.
The Driving Experience: A Study in Understated Mediocrity
When it comes to the core driving dynamics, the Enclave ST AWD treads a path of quiet competence rather than inspiring enthusiasm. It navigates, it steers, it stops – all with a commendable level of predictability. Yet, there’s an undeniable lack of emotional engagement, a missing spark that prevents the experience from elevating beyond mere transportation. For a vehicle aspiring to the premium segment, the ride quality, while generally comfortable, lacks the sophisticated isolation and controlled damping found in true luxury SUVs.
The Avenir model, notably, benefits from upgraded active shocks that significantly refine the ride, smoothing out imperfections and providing a more composed feel. The ST, however, foregoes these advanced components, and the difference is palpable. Switching the drive mode to “Sport” in the ST only serves to make the steering unnaturally heavy and artificial, without any corresponding improvement in chassis responsiveness or body control. This leaves the driving experience feeling somewhat disjointed and uninspired. The 2025 automotive industry is increasingly focused on dynamic performance metrics and driver engagement, even within the family SUV category. Competitors are delivering vehicles that combine practicality with genuinely enjoyable driving characteristics. The Enclave ST, regrettably, feels more like a dutiful servant than a spirited companion, failing to deliver the posh or exciting driving experience that premium buyers increasingly expect from their luxury SUV.
Value Proposition & Competitive Scrutiny
This brings us to the most critical aspect of the 2025 Buick Enclave ST AWD: its value proposition in an exceedingly crowded and sophisticated market. With an asking price north of $61,000 for our evaluated example, the ST positions itself directly against some of the most compelling offerings from both mainstream and entry-luxury brands.
The fundamental question arises: “Isn’t Buick supposed to be a luxury brand?” Based on the Enclave ST’s interior materials, lack of dynamic sophistication, and curious feature omissions, that brand perception is challenged. When juxtaposed against vehicles like the aforementioned Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, which boasts a superior interior, more refined powertrain options, and often a more comprehensive suite of features for a similar or even lower price, the Enclave ST struggles to justify its premium. Even an Acura MDX, Mazda CX-90, or certain trims of the Lexus RX L offer a more convincing blend of luxury, performance, and technology for competitive price points. These vehicles often feature superior interior design philosophy, better material quality, and more engaging driving dynamics, making the Enclave ST feel somewhat outmatched.
The Enclave ST isn’t inherently a bad vehicle. It excels in practical family functionality, offering a good balance of second- and third-row room, making it genuinely useful for growing families. The third row, while best suited for children or shorter adults, is certainly functional, and the second row provides ample comfort. Furthermore, the cargo capacity, easily expanded with power-folding rear seats, transforms the Enclave into a competent hauler. However, these are virtues found across the segment, and the expectation for a premium vehicle extends far beyond mere utility.
The Enclave ST, in its current form, feels like a vehicle caught between two worlds. It wants to be a luxury SUV, but its execution in the ST trim lacks the meticulous attention to detail and premium polish found in its Avenir sibling or direct competitors. It serves its purpose as a decent family hauler, but it fails to dazzle, to inspire, or to truly differentiate itself in a meaningful way. Without the “razzle” of the Avenir’s upgraded suspension, panoramic roof, and more attractive interior appointments, the ST simply offers too little to justify its price tag in the cutthroat 2025 automotive landscape.
Final Thoughts and Your Next Drive
The 2025 Buick Enclave ST AWD is a testament to the challenges of brand positioning in a rapidly evolving market. While its exterior styling is a genuine improvement and its integration of Google Assistant is commendable, the compromises in interior material quality, driving dynamics, and the perplexing limitations of its driver-assistance suite without Super Cruise severely hamper its appeal. For those seeking pure practicality without concern for genuine luxury or an engaging driving experience, and perhaps with a significant discount, the Enclave ST might pass muster. However, for the discerning buyer expecting a truly premium experience commensurate with a $60,000+ investment, the ST trim falls short. It’s a capable appliance but not a captivating statement.
Before making your next significant automotive investment, it’s crucial to experience the full spectrum of options available. Don’t settle for “good enough” when excellence is within reach. We invite you to delve deeper into our comprehensive reviews and head-to-head comparisons of the latest luxury and family SUVs. Understand the nuances, weigh the trade-offs, and discover the vehicle that truly aligns with your expectations for performance, luxury, and lasting value. Your ideal premium SUV awaits.