2008 Sport/Utility of the Year Contenders

On the very first day of our SUOTY competition, before most of us had even driven it, the new Buick Enclave served notice that it's a player. "Hey, check out the Enclave," said more than one editor, noting its designer curves and expensive presence. "Looks really good."

For sure, Buick is going to move a ton of Enclaves on appearance alone. Okay, maybe the nose is as prominent as Karl Malden's, but this seven-passenger rig knows how to dress for the party.

Under the hood, a DOHC 3.6-liter V-6 delivers a sturdy 275 horses through a six-speed automatic and, on our top-model CXL test car, optional all-wheel drive. For relaxed motoring, the powertrain feels up to the job, revving with a pleasing note and cruising with refinement. Unfortunately, the six has to move around a whopping 5077 pounds, a curb weight topped in our test only by the Land Cruiser. Climbing steep, wriggling Highway 18 to Lake Arrowhead, the Enclave strained (a V-8 is said to be coming in a year or two). Shifting with the electric manual selector helped-and made driving through our handling loop more fun-but the pushbutton is inconveniently mounted on the shift column.

The Enclave radiates a similar "I'm a limousine, not a plaything" character when you leg it. The variable-effort steering telegraphs little in the way of tire information, the engine turns coarse, and the sheer, shifting mass constantly hints that you should be looking for thrills elsewhere-though, in fairness, the Enclave remains poised and holds its line through turns.

The spacious, well-insulated interior is dressed in neatly tailored leather, camphor burled wood trim, and copious electronic conveniences. Worthy of special mention are the brilliant SmartSlide second-row captain's chairs that easily flip completely out of the way for access to the rear bench. This is a cabin worth fighting to ride in.

With the Enclave, Buick has created a truly significant, class-challenging vehicle. Given a diet (or more power) and zestier handling moves, this new Buick might even have walked away with our golden-calipers trophy.