2018 Buick Enclave — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2018 Buick Enclave is an SUV powered by a 3.6L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) / 21 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 24–25 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Buick Enclave workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2017 Buick Enclave: Fuel economy improves from 22 to 25 mpg (UK) combined on the most efficient configuration. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.6L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 9-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 25 combined / 22 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 21 combined / 18 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 258 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,200 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2018 Buick Enclave, all with the 3.6L 6-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 20 to 21 mpg (US), or 24 to 25 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/25) | 277 | $3,350 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/26) | 258 | $3,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2018 Buick Enclave
Running Costs: 2018 Buick Enclave
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 Buick Enclave at 25 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,455 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2018 Buick Enclave Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Buick Enclave as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Buick Enclave. The most-reported areas are Service brakes (20), Power train (15), Engine (13). Complaints include 5 reported crashes, 1 reported injury. That is close to the median of 65 complaints across the 17 Buick Enclave model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 Buick Enclave
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Brakes (20 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Transmission & drivetrain (15 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Engine (13 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (10 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Buick Enclave compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 25 mpg figure is 2 mpg below that average. Its 258 g/km CO₂ figure is 5 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Buick models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2018 Buick Enclave's 25 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 258 g/km CO₂ figure is 25 g/km higher than the 233 g/km Buick average.
Of the 17 Buick Enclave model years we cover, the 2018 ranks 3rd for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (25 mpg UK combined, against a high of 28 mpg). See every Buick Enclave year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2018 Buick Enclave
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Buick Enclave have?
It's fitted with a 3.6L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 9-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Buick Enclave?
The most efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, or 21 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 24 to 25 mpg.
How much does the 2018 Buick Enclave cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2018 Buick Enclave have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2018 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Buick Enclave as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Buick Enclave?
Among the 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Service brakes (20 complaints), Power train (15 complaints), Engine (13 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Buick Enclave's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.