The 2018 Buick Enclave hones its appeal with beautiful style, much-improved handling, and no-nonsense technology.
Pros Expressive sheet metal Spare and elegant cockpit Good third-row space Much-improved handling Still rides smoothly
Cons Base seats are cloth All-wheel drive is part-time Fuel economy still just average Best safety features not pervasive Pricey Avenir trim level is more a feature-unlock code
The Avenir name is something new entirely. It's a new sub-brand that Buick is introducing on the Enclave that adds another layer of luxury onto the standard model. It will sit above the Premium model that was previously the most feature-rich trim level offered on the Enclave. Standard features on the Enclave Avenir include a unique mesh grille, 20-inch wheels and exclusive interior colors and materials. The individual features aren't striking on their own, but taken together they do make this Enclave look a step above anything offered on its predecessor. Apart from the Avenir upgrades, the Enclave follows much the same formula as the previous model. It's a spacious three-row crossover with a standard V6 and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers 302 horsepower to either the front wheels or all four wheels on all-wheel-drive models. Towing capacity is up to 5,000 pounds and we expect overall mileage to improve slightly.
The fully redesigned 2018 version is hugely important as the brand’s grandest offering.Buick’s latest three-row ute succeeds in being a marked improvement over its predecessor in every meaningful way.
Pros Shapely design, tons of usable space, refined road manners, lots of available features.
Cons Prices climb quickly with options, a tight third row for three, some cheap bits still visible.
The 2018 Nissan Murano ranked #9 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Nissan Murano has a score of 8.3 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 35 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros High-end cabin Extremely comfortable seats Easy-to-use tech features Fuel-efficient for a V6 SUV
Cons Poor rear visibility Slow steering response
The 2018 Nissan Murano adds better active safety to complement its sharp looks and easy-driving nature.
Pros Sharp exterior style Comfortable drive Better safety features this year Every trim has navigation and big touchscreen Relatively good fuel economy…
Cons …but still no hybrid powertrain CVT doesn’t like to be pressed on time Lacking upper-level interior touches like wood trim Style won’t be for everyone
For 2018, the Nissan Murano now includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and navigation on every model. Options have been distilled into two packages, with options from previous model years (i.e., adaptive cruise control, heated rear seats) now spread throughout the lineup as standard features.
PROS Delivers right balance of power and fuel-efficiency Interior highlighted by high-quality materials and unique design Front seats are exceptionally comfortable Spacious rear seats accommodate passengers and car seats with equal ease
CONS Stylish exterior design creates compromised outward visibility Can't tow heavy weekend toys like some competitors Modest cargo capacity limits practicality
