The 2018 Buick Enclave hauls families, but what about cargo?
Most folks buy large crossovers to lug their kids and gear all throughout suburbia. The 2018 Buick Enclave performs that job admirably, with more than enough space for seven or eight passengers. However, what about if you wanted to take your boat out to the lake? How well does the 2018 Buick Enclave tow? Not only that, but how does the Buick’s fuel economy suffer while you’re pulling a trailer?
Today, we lay those questions to rest. In this video, Nathan and Andre test out the Enclave’s towing prowess in this TFL exclusive! Packing the same 310 horsepower, 3.6-liter LFY V6 engine shared with the Chevrolet Traverse, the 2018 Buick Enclave can tow up to 5,000 pounds. It also has a tow/haul button and an option to run in front-wheel drive configuration (on AWD models). We loaded up a 14-foot CM Trailers Stocker tandem trailer right to the towing limit. With all that done, it’s time to see how the Enclave performs.
Along the 98-mile towing loop, the 2018 Buick Enclave felt fine, and didn’t have sway issues or any wayward moments on the highway. Fully loaded, with 10 percent tongue weight (500 pounds), the Enclave averaged 9.7 MPG on the course. Normally, the 2018 Buick Enclave is EPA rated to get up to 25 MPG, so we were hoping for slightly better results.
While the Buick may not be able to tow as much as a body-on-frame SUV like the Suburban, it can still hold its own. The Enclave actually does have a greater payload capacity, at up to 1,825 pounds, than the Suburban. When encumbered, the Suburban can only hold up to 1,714 pounds, depending on how its configured.
If you’re thinking about buying a 2018 Buick Enclave and are looking to tow, make sure you watch this video first! Stay tuned to TFLcar.com and TFLtruck.com for more real-world towing test. Also subscribe to TFLcar, TFLtruck, and TFLnow on YouTube for more news, views, and reviews! For more information on the 2018 Buick Enclave, check out our full review.
