Buick Enclave: The Inside
Buick sells only three models now, and the Lucerne falls in the middle in size, price and interior quality. Of the three large crossover models GM has sold over the past couple years, the Buick Enclave has been the surprise hit, apparently due to its interior design and quality. Though the Lucerne's materials and craftsmanship impressed when the car was introduced, advancements in both the industry and within GM itself now expose its age. The Super trim level classes things up, though, with suede inserts on the leather seats and door panels, a leather-clad dashboard and walnut burl wood gear selector knob and steering-wheel accents. The steering wheel is heated and includes power tilt and telescoping adjustments.
The semi-gloss blue gauge faces were difficult to read in some lighting conditions, and the gear selector feels imprecise and actually sounds cheap — like plastic surfaces rubbing against one another. The glove compartment is too small for a car of this size, but the center storage console is reasonably roomy.
The front seats are cushy. I prefer a seat with more support, but I suspect some people would accept or even prefer these. I can't say the same about the backseat, however. In our comparison with two other large cars, we Cars.com reviewers found it too mushy back there. On the upside, the backseat is plenty roomy, with more legroom than the Chrysler 300, MKS and Toyota Avalon. The front-drive platform helps because it keeps the center floor hump to a reasonable height. Hip room also leads the others, both here and in the front seat, where occupants also find superior legroom. If there's a complaint up here, it's that the power seats don't rise very far off the floor. Front and rear headroom are competitive.
The Lucerne's trunk volume is generous at 17.0 cubic feet. It has a pass-thru behind the backseat armrest, but the seats themselves don't fold flat to extend the trunk forward — a configuration that's all too common among full-size cars. The Chrysler 300 is a notable exception that offers a 60/40-split folding backseat.
