Compare the2024 Buick EnclaveVS 2023 GMC Acadia

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Enclave offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Enclave and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Enclave is safer than the GMC Acadia:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Enclave is safer than the GMC Acadia:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 17 percent more Buick dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Enclave has a standard 730-amp battery. The Acadia’s 660-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Enclave second among midsize suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Acadia was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 6th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 45 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 10 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 82 more horsepower (310 vs. 228) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Enclave uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the Enclave has larger tires than the Acadia (255/65R18 vs. 235/65R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the Acadia (120.9 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Enclave is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Acadia.

For greater off-road capability the Enclave has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia (7.5 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Enclave to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Enclave has 13.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Acadia (157.3 vs. 143.8).

The Enclave has 2.6 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.4 inches more rear hip room, 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 3.8 inches more third row legroom, 5.6 inches more third row hip room and 3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Acadia.

The Enclave’s cargo area provides more volume than the Acadia.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Enclave easier. The Enclave’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.5 inches, while the Acadia’s liftover is 32 inches.

The Enclave’s cargo area is larger than the Acadia’s in almost every dimension:

The Enclave’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Acadia is only 4000 pounds. The Enclave offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than GMC. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 19% lower rating, GMC is ranked 15th.

The Enclave’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Enclave the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Enclave Avenir’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Acadia.

The Enclave Premium/Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Acadia.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Acadia.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Enclave is less expensive to operate than the Acadia because typical repairs cost much less on the Enclave than the Acadia, including $23 less for front struts and $379 less for a timing belt/chain.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Enclave and the GMC Acadia, based on reliability, safety and performance.