2021 Buick Enclave

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

2021 Buick Enclave 4-door SUV
2020 Buick Enclave shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system
Superior
Optional system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Chevrolet Traverse High Country 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave were redesigned for the 2018 model year. They are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as midsize SUVs.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Despite some intrusion of the door hinge pillar, risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN2002
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Footrest (cm) 7
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Upper dash (cm) 7
Lower instrument panel (cm) 8

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN2002
Head
HIC-15 61
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 5
Maximum Nij 0.12
Chest maximum compression (mm) 18
Femur (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.74
Right 0.35
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.4
Right 0.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 73
Right 36

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-21 models built after December 2018

Tested vehicle: 2021 Chevrolet Traverse 3LT 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave were redesigned for the 2018 model year. They are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as midsize SUVs. Beginning with models built after December 2018, reinforcements were made to the passenger-side A pillar to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger's survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The passenger’s space was maintained reasonably well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP2102
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 17
Footrest (cm) 13
Right toepan (cm) 10
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 7
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Upper dash (cm) 11
Right lower dash (cm) 12

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP2102
Head
HIC-15 70
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 2.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.39
Right 0.44
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 1.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 34
Right 56

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP2102
Head
HIC-15 25
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 6
Maximum Nij 0.12
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.26
Right 0.17
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 30
Right 30

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Traverse LT 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave were redesigned for the 2018 model year. They are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as midsize SUVs. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1923
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 6
Right (cm) 8
Brake pedal (cm) 8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -9
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1923
Head
HIC-15 242
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 0.2
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.40
Maximum tibia index - right 0.66
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 60
Right 56

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave were redesigned for the 2018 model year. They are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as midsize SUVs. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1925
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -19.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1925
Head HIC-15 119
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 23
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 27
Average deflection (mm) 24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.18
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.22
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.8
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.9
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.6
L-M moment (Nm) 24
A-P moment (Nm) 91

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1925
Head HIC-15 69
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 18
Lateral force (kN) -1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 17
Average deflection (mm) 13
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.62
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.26
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.6
Combined force (kN) 1.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 67
A-P moment (Nm) -20

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Chevrolet Traverse 1LS 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave were redesigned for the 2018 model year. They are smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore are now classified as midsize SUVs.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2211
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -11.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2211
Head
HIC-15 141
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 2.0
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 33
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 38
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.88
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.58
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 5.0

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2211
Head
HIC-15 189
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Compression (kN) 0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 26
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 31
Average deflection (mm) 23
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.51
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.44
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.8

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Chevrolet Traverse 1LT 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the Chevrolet Traverse (tested) and the structurally similar Buick Enclave.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight4,475 lbs
Peak force24,360 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.44

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 14
Distance below top of head (mm) 36
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 12.5
Head contact time (ms) 52
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 18
Max neck tension (N) 376

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Preferred trim
  • Essence trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and gradual left curves, and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Preferred trim
  • Essence trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 114.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 81.0 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 83.0 m 131.0%
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 64.5 m 197.7%
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 129.0 m
Straightaway left edge 100.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 77.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 65.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 60.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 51.3 m

Trim level(s)

  • Premium trim
  • Avenir trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and gradual left curves, and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Premium trim
  • Avenir trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 114.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 81.0 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 83.0 m 131.0%
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 64.5 m 197.7%
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 129.0 m
Straightaway left edge 100.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 77.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 65.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 60.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 51.3 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Optional Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

  • Optional (standard on Premium and Avenir trims)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-21 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

  • Optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

  • Optional Avenir Technology Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-21 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • optional Automatic Emergency Braking with Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2018-21 models of the following trim lines: Premium trim, Avenir trim

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph. A warning was issued 1.8 seconds before impact.

System details

  • optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking with Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2018-21 models of the following trim lines: Avenir trim equipped with Avenir Technology Package package

Advanced
Advanced
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph. A warning was issued 1.7 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimPremium
Seat type leatherette

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 3 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimPremium
Seat type leatherette
1 3 6 4 5
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
4
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
5
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
6
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 11
Clearance angle (degrees) 88
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 7
Clearance angle (degrees) 87
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 12
Clearance angle (degrees) 81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 10
Clearance angle (degrees) 87
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 31

6

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 32

5

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 33

4

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation