LaFontaine Buick GMC Highland

May 17, 2024
A red 2024 Buick Enclave parked outside a Buick dealer near Fenton.

Buick is selective in that it only offers crossovers and SUVs—stylish and luxury-oriented vehicles that don’t price the consumer out of the market, which makes them unique compared to the SUVs provided by other automakers, as those models are often needlessly expensive.

Buick’s models include select trims that make them great for families who are looking for a great vehicle for travel around the Greater Detroit Area. If you’re shopping for an SUV that perfectly fits your family, come visit LaFontaine Buick GMC Highland, your dedicated Buick dealer near Fenton, to test drive one of this brand’s 2024 models.

The Enclave Essence: For Large Families

The 2024 Enclave Essence is the base trim for the Enclave, and what makes it great for families is that it seats up to seven people across three rows. It also comes with a ton of basic amenities. All Enclave trims are powered by a 3.6-liter V6, which makes up to 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, and it’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

All Enclave trims can tow up to 5,000 lbs, which is useful if regularly going camping or boating on lakes like Crane Cove or Seven Lakes. It’s a useful model with a lot of great functionality—but beyond its utility, you also have a lot of standard convenience features, such as the hands-free power liftgate; this is perfect for shopping excursions or loading strollers while your hands are preoccupied. Provide a kick motion to open the tailgate for easy access to the rear, where you can make use of up to 23.6 cu.ft. of always-available cargo volume or a full 97.4 cu.ft. with the second and third rows folded down.

Inside, you have four captain’s chairs and a split bench in the third row. There is a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and a six-way power front passenger seat. Both front seats also come with adjustable lumbar support. You have a 4.2-inch digital driver display, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Siri EyesFree voice-activated connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

With active noise cancellation, you get a quiet cabin even on the highway, while features like the universal home remote let you access the garage with ease. The 2024 Enclave Essence’s full safety suite, wireless charging pad, and multiple storage compartments make for a safe, convenient pick for those who want a comfortable, good-looking SUV for the family.

A man loading luggage into a red 2024 Buick Envision.

The Enclave Premium: For Extra Luxury

If you occasionally take long road trips or shuttle the family into downtown Detroit, you’ll want a vehicle that’s comfortable, powerful, smooth, and safe—and the Enclave Premium hits all of those marks in stride. It’s indulgent in its luxury elements, and it provides a smart suite of comfort features over the base Essence trim.

The Premium trim takes all of the core greatness of the Essence and adds extra comfort and convenience to make those long trips feel like an adventure all their own. These include features like power lumbar support with massage functionality for the front captain’s chairs, along with heated and ventilated seats, so driving feels like a day at the spa. You also have heated second-row outboard seats, so even rear passengers will love long drives.

Features like the head-up display mean you can focus more on the road and spend less time looking at gauges and console screens. Plus, with the rear camera mirror, rear pedestrian detection, and HD Surround Vision, you can easily avoid backing into objects, and you can park much quicker with the added camera support. To top it off, you can avoid accidents during bad weather or rush hour traffic thanks to the safety sensors; these make driving with the family less stressful as you have more tech to make the ride more automated.

You also get the standard 8.0-inch infotainment suite, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and a Bose performance-enhanced ten-speaker audio system, so you can enjoy your favorite tunes and media at the utmost quality.

The Envision Preferred: For Lush Commutes

With two kids and a dog, you’ll fare well in a Buick Envision. It’s a compact crossover SUV built to seat five people across two rows. Unlike the Enclave, the Envision is more nimble on the road, designed for longer commutes, and is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that delivers 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This model is generous in that it comes standard with all-wheel drive.

If you need a compact SUV that can seat a small family, the Envision is a good way to go. The Envision Preferred, in particular, is a nice trim that has connectivity and comfort but isn’t quite as lavish as the Avenir; this way, if you want something stylish and inviting without paying too much, you can get it all in one svelte package. In short, the Envision Preferred is sports-luxury in a practical package.

You have an eight-way power driver’s seat and four-way power front passenger seat; better yet, you have Buick’s QuietTuning, which affords you a relaxed cabin atmosphere and an impressive ultra-wide 30.0-inch digital display on the front dash, comprising your infotainment touchscreen and your customizable digital driver display. Standard features include a head-up display, Google Built-In, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can stay connected on the go, and you have a full suite of advanced driver aids.

A rear view of a grey 2024 Buick Envista Avenir driving down a road.

The Envista Avenir: For Private Indulgences

If you’re starting your family, you’ll want a savvy vehicle with great range, capabilities, comfort, and performance; you’ll want the 2024 Buick Envista Avenir. This may be the top trim for this model, but it’s actually quite affordable as a luxury trim, giving you a lot while costing less than rival models. Riding on 19-inch pearl-nickel aluminum wheels, you get a sporty 1.2-liter turbocharged inline three-cylinder that delivers 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque in front-wheel drive, with a fuel economy of 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.

The Avenir comes equipped with a Watts Link rear suspension for stable handling and a quieter riding experience; this means that if you need to keep a baby or toddler comforted during a long ride, the Envista Avenir can facilitate. This is a two-row, five-seater SUV with a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, and convenience features like a remote start with keyless open. Your power liftgate leads to 20.7 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the second row, or 42.0 cu.ft. with the back row down.

It’s the perfect compact crossover for smaller families. You can sit back and relax with your favorite tunes thanks to the six-speaker audio system and SiriusXM; alternatively, you can stream audio from your smartphone via the 11.0-inch HD touchscreen thanks to Bluetooth or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You even have built-in wireless charging. Other features like the rear-seat armrest with cup holders make the Envista Avenir very convenient for when the kids get older or for when you travel with friends or coworkers.

Need Help Choosing a Buick SUV for Your Family?

Car shopping can be challenging as there are multiple factors to consider, such as finding the right model, looking for an affordable trim, and selecting the appropriate packages and features. You don’t have to navigate this process alone. If any of these Buick models interest you, reach out to LaFontaine Buick GMC Highland for further information on the 2024 Buick SUV lineup.