Some of you Buick-lovers out there might not like this, but here’s your wakeup call: if you have a 2019 Buick Enclave, it is essentially the same as the 2019 Chevy Traverse. I know, I know – that’s seems like blasphemous madness, but the numbers don’t lie. There are plenty of articles and blog posts out there about the 2019 Buick Enclave vs 2019 Chevy Traverse that list all kinds of differences between the two vehicles, but here’s the truth: those articles are full of it.
Overall, if you look at the two vehicles point by point, then you quickly discover that in many ways they really are the same vehicle. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some notable differences and I’ll mention some of them at the end of all this. But in many ways they are the same vehicle with certain options that set each of them apart – their starting price being one of them.
This in no way denigrates everything the 2019 Buick Enclave has to offer, quite the opposite. Once you recognize and embrace all the ways it is similar to the 2019 Chevy Traverse, then those differences become even more pronounced and important. So don’t worry Buick-lovers, you still have one of the most beautiful and impressive SUVs on the road.
The Engine and Performance
Both the 2019 Buick Enclave and the 2019 Chevy Traverse have the same single engine available that offers the same level of performance. This isn’t a bad thing, however, since it’s a solid engine that can get a lot of work done in an SUV that is properly configured. It is a 3.6L V6 Engine that provides up to 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Since both the Enclave and Traverse are available as either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with some trim restrictions, they both give you a lot of power for handling just about any terrain. With that in mind, both the 2019 Chevy Traverse and the 2019 Buick Enclave can haul up to 5,000 lbs. of weight behind them when properly set up. That makes them both great options if you want to pull a small trailer or camper behind you.
Interior Features at Lower Trims
If you look at a lot of articles about the differences between the 2019 Buick Enclave and the 2019 Chevy Traverse, the interior is often used as an example of how the Enclave is superior. This is true in some ways and there are some differences, but a lot of these articles dance around one important factor: price. If you compare the $40,000 starting trim level of the Enclave with the starting trim of the Traverse, which is about $10,000 less, then yes the Enclave is absolutely more luxurious.
But, if you compare it to the 2019 Chevy Traverse LT Leather trim level, which is nearly $41,000, then things become much more similar. The 2019 Chevy Traverse LT Leather trim includes an 8-inch Infotainment center with active noise cancellation and 7-passenger seating. The first and second rows are leather-appointed, with an 8-way power driver seat and a 6-way power front passenger seat. The Traverse LT Leather has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 4-inch driver information center, and tri-zone automatic climate control.
By comparison, the starting trim level for the 2019 Buick Enclave has an 8-inch Infotainment center, active noise cancellation, and 7-passenger seating. It has an 8-way power driver seat and 6-way power front passenger seat, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 4-inch driver information center, and tri-zone automatic climate control. Admittedly, the details and overall design of the Buick Enclave lean a bit more heavily into sophistication and luxury, but the features are pretty comparable.
Interior Features at Highest Trim
Now, you may be thinking, “Okay, that’s at lower trim, what about at the highest trim levels?” Even at their highest trim levels, when you look at similarly-priced models, they have notable similarities. Consider the 2019 Buick Enclave Avenir and the 2019 Chevy Traverse High Country.
The Enclave Avenir starts off at $54,695 and features an 8-inch Infotainment system with Navigation, six USB ports (two in each row of seating), and a Bose premium 10-speaker sound system. It has a wireless charging area for compatible devices, heated front and second-row seats, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with wood accents. The Enclave Avenir also features an 8-inch driver information center, a rear camera mirror, and an in-vehicle air ionizer.
By comparison, the Traverse High Country starts off at $54,395 and features an 8-inch Infotainment system with Navigation, six USB ports (two in each row), and a Bose premium 10-speaker sound system. It has a wireless charging area, heated seats, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The Traverse High Country features a 4-inch driver information center, a rear camera mirror, and automatic climate control.
I admit there are a few noticeable differences there: the Traverse lacks the wood details on the steering wheel, the ionizer, and has a significantly smaller driver information center. Like I said, as you look at the ways they are similar, the differences become more pronounced. There’s a reason Buick has the reputation for luxury and sophistication that it does.
Safety Features at Highest Trim
While we’re talking about high-trim models, let’s have a look at the safety features on these two. We’ll stick with the same ones since they are so close in price.
The 2019 Buick Enclave Avenir has an impressive array of safety features including numerous airbags, low-speed forward automatic braking, and surround vision. It also has front and rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. The Enclave Avenir features forward collision alert, rear cross traffic alert, and a safety alert seat that uses vibrations rather than only having auditory alerts.
By comparison, the 2019 Chevy Traverse High Country features numerous airbags, forward automatic braking, and surround vision. It has rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. The Traverse High Country also features forward collision alert and rear cross traffic alert. Notice something missing there? Well…
Some Big Differences
One of the major things you might have noticed the 2019 Buick Enclave Avenir has that the 2019 Chevy Traverse High Country lacks is the safety alert seat. Auditory alerts are great, but having that second level of warning through vibrations in the seat can be a literal life-saver and you won’t get it in the comparably priced trim option from Chevy. It is also worth noting that the Traverse High Country is only available with all-wheel drive, while the Enclave Avenir can come with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on your preference.
Another important difference between these two vehicles is that the lowest two trim levels of the 2019 Chevy Traverse, the L and LS, actually have seating for eight passengers, rather than seven. This is thanks to a second-row bench seat rather than two individual seats. If you need to fit one more person in your vehicle, then that can be advantageous, but it also means those first couple trim levels feel a bit more like a mini-van and less like a luxurious SUV. At no point in time, or at any trim level, does the 2019 Buick Enclave feel like anything but a sophisticated mid-size SUV.
Okay, so maybe the 2019 Buick Enclave isn’t exactly the 2019 Chevy Traverse, but you must admit the similarities are striking. Just as striking, however, are these important differences. Ultimately, the Enclave certainly feels more luxurious, especially at starting trim levels and has a more sophisticated overall design. You just have to decide if you want that or a second-row bench seat.
