2008 Buick Enclave CX: Not the Same as GMC Acadia
Our long-term 2008 Buick Enclave is a mechanical twin to the GMC Acadia. They share the same basic chassis, suspension geometry and powertrain. They drive much differently, however. This could be due to myriad factors like damper valving, bushing durometer, stabilizer bar endlinks and more, but I suspect it's largely down to the tires. The Acadia, which I drove extensively for our recent Crossover vs. Minivan vs. SUV comparison test, sported optional 255/60 Goodyear RS-A tires on 19" wheels. Our Buick wears the 255/65 Goodyear Forteras on 18" wheels, a base package shared with entry-level Acadias.
The upshot is that the Acadia turns in much more crisply and exhibits less steering imprecision than our Enclave, which has sidewalls that wind up like a torsion spring. This results in steering effort in the Buick that doesn’t build up as linearly as that of the GMC.
I much prefer the Acadia’s dynamic character, but I’d argue that the relative numbness of the base tire/wheel package is appropriate for the Enclave considering that it is a Buick, and as such needs to ride like a Buick. A Buick customer is historically an older demographic more concerned with a smooth, quiet ride than steering precision. That would help explain the Enclave's fake wood and pencil-thin steering wheel rim, too.
GM knows this, too, which is why the optional 19-inch wheel package for the Buick includes Michelins that you can't get on the Acadia or Outlook. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that they have softer sidewalls than the 19s on the Acadia.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 14,931 miles
Posted by Jason Apr 2, 2008 2:25 pm
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Categories: 2008 Buick Enclave CX
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GM could follow in the footsteps of the Buick Grand National. Work up a 500-hp turbo V6, paint it all black and go chasing all those pesky Mercedes R63 AMGs I see.
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jriz
- Apr 4, 2008 11:30 am
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My grandfather had a LeSabre Coupe T-Type. Cool car, it was a sad day when his company replaced it with a regular LeSabre "old man's car." Luckily my Uncle bought the T-Type and drove it until it was literally falling apart.
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Redliner -- They did...It was called GNX and LeSabre Coupe T-type. (The LeSabre wasn't a true performance car, but it looked better than the regular LeSabres.)
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redliner
- Apr 3, 2008 7:36 pm
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Ok, file this under the "never going to happen" folder....
What if Buick had a performance sub-division? (like Honda SI, Toyota TRD, Cadillac V etc.)
I can already visualize the commercials…. “the ultimate fusion of luxury and performance”
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Maybe if Buicks handled a little better, younger people would buy them. Seems that way right???
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nmcheese
- Apr 3, 2008 6:37 am
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I'd bet the bolt pattern is the same between the two vehicles.
Find an Acadia and swap the wheel/tire packages for a day/week and see if you're right.
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billt9
- Apr 2, 2008 7:42 pm
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You sure they didn't just put softer springs and shocks on this car? I bet that's the difference.
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The RS-A's are designed for greater performance, while the Forteras are designed for a quiet comfortable ride. That means the RS-A's likely have stiffer sidewalls, stronger reinforcements, stickier compound, and a more aggressive tread pattern, all of which contributes to a more "dynamic" ride. GM obviously knows what demographics each vehicle is designed for.
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beach15
- Apr 2, 2008 6:16 pm
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DE United States of America |
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Dumb comparison. Compare the Enclave riding on the standard 18" Forteras to an Acadia or Outlook with their standard 18" wheels and the same times...THEN comment.
Same geometry, bits, etc., but the Quiet-Tuning through and through makes a shocking difference that even makes the ride feel different. The 19" wheel models of each are a touch crisper, of course, with the Enclave again having a bit of an edge in comfort due to the much higher quality Michelins it uses vs. the other's GYs.
But really compare 18" Fortera to 18" Fortera...and see what the realistic difference is that the level of quiet and the overall vehicle makes. The GMC and Saturn are extremely hushed, and the Buick just astounding.
And enough with the Buick for old people...yes, it is an image that lives on with the cars (which will be eradicated soon enough), but look who's buying the Enclave--nothing but people in their 30's, 40's, etc. and a lot who cross-shopped and even traded in a Lexus, Acura, MB, etc. Not just old people.
Silent creaminess--that is NOT floaty or even actually soft--is appealing to a wider audience than thought.
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brn
- Apr 2, 2008 5:22 pm
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I would suspect someone purchasing such a vehicle is less interested in driving dynamics and more interested comfort. Aware of the choice, I suspect most of their target audience would prefer the Enclave.
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ewilfong
- Apr 2, 2008 5:16 pm
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Thanks for the comments, engineering geekitude and all. I'm often curious about the pros and cons of choosing one platform stablemate over another.
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cx7lover
- Apr 2, 2008 3:43 pm
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RS-A's are the worst performing "all season" I've EVER driven on, they come on the CX-7 and when I replaced them the handling went to the next level.
Maybe what you felt was the smaller sidewall/better precision.
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