An enclave is the very definition of a gated community and Buick’s front wheel drive Enclave is a vehicle one might see pulling up to, or exiting from, such enclaves. It is one of three GM crossover SUVs, sharing many similarities with its kin, the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia.

So what's good and unique about the Enclave? Plenty.

Safety first

In addition to being protected all around by airbags, in the unfortunate event you experience a rollover the Enclave’s side curtain airbags stay inflated for several moments to provide additional protection. In addition, it comes with the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's 2009 Top Safety Pick award and 5-star frontal and side crash safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Power to spare

The Buick Enclave generates power via a 3.6-liter V-6 engine. This power is transmitted to the tire treads by a six-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave is powerful despite being big. There’s no feel of lumbering along, or hesitation as the accelerator pedal is pressed. Having just completed a test drive in a smaller hybrid vehicle, the Enclave initially seemed too big and too powerful, somehow not attuned to our times. However, after some time in the Enclave, I had a feeling akin to coming home, as though I had traveled back a few years to enjoy driving once again through an energy un-conscious age. Coming back to the present, I noted to myself that these days GM is hybridizing their biggest and most powerful vehicles, such as the Escalade and the Silverado, so the Enclave may also become a hybrid someday soon.

Rows for the whole family

If your family has more than four members you will all have room to stretch out and get comfortable in the Enclave. The driver's seat is adjustable in six directions. The vehicle's second row features adjustable captain's chairs which are quite nice. And the second and third rows of seats fold down easily, offering a great deal of storage. With both rows stowed the Enclave has a maximum cargo room total of 116.2 cubic feet.

Always an important consideration is how you feel about the mechanics of getting into and out of the third row of seats, so whenever you're investigating purchase of a three-row crossover or minivan, remember to check ease-of-access to the third row, or have family members who will be required to climb in and out of the third row do the checking.

Noise insulation GM calls "quiet tuning" provides a pleasant break inside the Enclave from the cacophony of the road outside. A push-button power lift gate eases access to, and closure of, the rear cargo area. It is a most welcome and helpful feature. The Enclave also has a rear backup camera. Along with the backup camera, it has three object proximity warning lights visible when you're looking in the rearview mirror that step from yellow to orange to red as you approach objects behind.

There's also lots of chrome on and in the Enclave, for example encircling the tail lights and around the little classic clock in mid-dash.

Wherever you roll

No matter where you roll in the Enclave, into and out of whatever neighborhood you call home, or far and wide, it will provide you and your family with a safe, comfy, and powerful driving experience.