2018 Buick Enclave vs. 2018 Chevrolet Traverse: Which Is Best?

2018 Buick Enclave Avenir front profile ・ Photo by General Motors

The 2018 Buick Enclave and 2018 Chevrolet Traverse are mid-size SUV Crossovers with three rows of seating designed for busy families. Mechanical cousins in the General Motors family, both offer a wide range of features and roomy, comfortable interiors perfect for running around town or for family road trips.

Although similar, there are significant differences between the two. Let’s take a closer look at the Enclave and Traverse and see how they compare in a head-to-head matchup.

Pricing and Trims

The 2018 Buick Enclave is available in four trim levels all with standard front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional on all but the base Enclave, which has a starting price of $40,990. Sitting at the top of the lineup is the Avenir, which is a badge reserved for the most luxurious vehicles in the Buick fleet. It comes in with a starting price of $54,495.

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse starts at $30,925 for the base  L model, making it a more affordable choice for budget-minded families. It also has a wider range of trims, giving buyers more flexibility in choosing a Traverse that fits their needs. The top High Country is priced at $53,595.

: Chevrolet Traverse

Photo by General Motors

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn’t yet rated the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse or 2018 Buick Enclave. Both vehicles have, however, been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which awarded them matching scores. They received top marks with five-star overall ratings and individual four-star ratings for frontal crash and rollover risk.

The Traverse offers advanced safety features midway through the trim range as optional packages and makes them standard by the time you reach the top High Country trim. The Enclave takes a different approach, introducing advanced safety features lower in the range. Although overall pricing on the Enclave is higher, the wider safety feature availability throughout the range gives it the edge in this category.

: Buick Enclave

Photo by General Motors

Seating

The Chevrolet Traverse offers seating for up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat or seven with second-row captain’s chairs. As with most SUVs, the third row is the snuggest of the lot, but second-row seats move enough for easy access, especially if it’s the kids who will be climbing into the back.

Last year, the Enclave likewise offered seating for eight, but this year that changed. There is no option for eight passengers, with only second-row captain’s chairs. While it’s roomier and more comfortable for those in the second row with this setup, if you need room for eight, then there’s simply no way to do it in the Enclave.

: Chevrolet Traverse

Photo by General Motors

Performance

The Buick Enclave comes with a single engine choice no matter which of the trims you choose. It’s a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This is a smooth and responsive engine that makes for easy acceleration up to highway speeds.

The Chevrolet Traverse offers more variety with two engines. The base engine is the same 3.6-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic, which is what you’ll find in most of the lineup. The RS trim brings a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Traverse wins for offering that torquey 2.0-liter option.

: Chevrolet Traverse

Photo by General Motors

Fuel Efficiency

The 2018 Buick Enclave gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in front-wheel drive models or 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway in all-wheel-drive models.

The Chevrolet Traverse with the 3.6-liter engine and front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with numbers dropping to 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with all-wheel drive. Equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (offered only with front-wheel drive), the Traverse gets 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Traverse matches or exceeds the Enclave's mileage no matter which configuration you choose.

: Chevrolet Traverse

Photo by General Motors

Fuel Efficiency

The 2018 Buick Enclave gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in front-wheel drive models or 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway in all-wheel-drive models.

The Chevrolet Traverse with the 3.6-liter engine and front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with numbers dropping to 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with all-wheel drive. Equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (offered only with front-wheel drive), the Traverse gets 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Traverse matches or exceeds the Enclave's mileage no matter which configuration you choose.

: Chevrolet Traverse

Photo by General Motors

Cargo Capacity

When it’s cargo instead of people, the Buick Enclave has 23.6 cubic feet for cargo behind the third row, 58.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 97.6 cubic feet behind the front seats. There’s also 3.1 cubic feet of underfloor storage, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The Chevrolet Traverse has 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 58.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and 98.2 cubic feet behind the front seats with 3.2 cubic feet of underfloor storage. It can also tow up to 5,000 pounds. They’re well matched when it comes to cargo, but the win goes to the Traverse for its larger total cargo capacity.

: Chevrolet Traverse

Photo by General Motors

Infotainment

The standard infotainment system on the Buick Enclave includes an 8-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone connectivity, USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system are available, and General Motors' Teen Driver system is standard to help parents keep tabs on how their kids are driving and encourage good habits.

The Chevrolet Traverse has a standard 7-inch color infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Audio with a larger 8-inch screen standard only on higher trims. Those trims also offer a 10-speaker Bose audio system and navigation. Although the offerings are similar, the Enclave comes out ahead for providing the 8-inch touchscreen even on the base model.

: Buick Enclave

Photo by General Motors

Ride and Handling

Buick is all about attainable luxury, and that means providing a ride that is relaxing for passengers with a smooth and unflustered drive no matter the road. The Enclave delivers with a well-mannered ride that is comfortable wherever you choose to sit. The Enclave's suspension mutes bumps and rough surfaces, and handling is effortless and relaxing.

The Traverse is a bit more rough-and-tumble, though it still provides a smooth and comfortable ride for its passengers. Its handling is also good and won’t tire the driver even on long trips. The biggest difference between these two is in road and wind noise. The Enclave offers a quieter interior, which improves the overall experience.

: Buick Enclave

Photo by Buick

Styling

The Chevrolet Traverse is all-new for 2018 with bold styling that doesn’t try to mimic a sedan. It’s more angular and stands out with boxy angles that attract your attention and differentiate it from the competition. While so many automakers are trying to make their SUVs softer, gentler, and more sedan-like, the Traverse is proud to be an SUV.

The 2018 Buick Enclave is also all-new, so the design is thoroughly modern. It leans more toward elegance with sportier styling and an upscale vibe. Though both models are appealing, we prefer the Traverse for being a bolder standout in the SUV crowd.

: Chevrolet Traverse

Photo by General Motors