Buick Avenir boasts room

This, the largest in the Buick mid-size luxury SUV, boasts a six- or seven-passenger interior. Think roomy.

Well-equipped and reasonably priced, the base trim includes all the necessary basics plus a sprinkling of high-end amenities like satellite radio, Wi-Fi, and heated seats. A step up in trim level, the Avenir adds ventilated seats and a Bose sound system.

Enclave's 8.0-inch IntelliLink touch screen infotainment system is standard equipment along with standard Navigation, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Devices connect to the internet via an available onboard Wi-Fi hot spot. All-wheel-drive Avenir comes swathed in leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel.

No big surprise, given an SUV of this class, the Enclave boasts a smooth ride and a quiet interior. The cargo capacity is spacious, with the third and second-row seats folded down. Passenger-side second-row seats slide forward to allow easier third-row passengers entry and egress. That third row of seats is power-operated. Each of the three rows is equipped with a pair of USB ports for a total of six wired charging connections.

Under the hood resides a direct-injected 3.6L V6 flowing 310 horsepower to a 9-speed electronic automatic transmission. Shift from Park to Drive via console-mounted paddles. The engine/transmission package melds good mileage with strong acceleration. So how fast does she fly? Avenir clocks a zero to 60 mph dash in 6.5 seconds.

Handling is lovely, meaning a smooth ride and confident handling.

Steering is undeniably crisp, albeit somewhat favoring rider comfort over sharp reflexes. Techies will note that prowess is due to the five-link rear suspension that flows up and down with all a road's bumps and jolts while keeping the tires planted firmly on the pavement.

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The long-legged 120.93 inch wheelbase and hefty 4,359-pound curb weight make Enclave a viable tow vehicle for campers and boats. In other words, it's big enough to resist being bullied around the road. The available Trailering Package is good for up to 5,000 pounds of boat or camping trailer. Said trailering package includes the necessary hitch, heavy-duty engine cooling, a tow/haul drive transmission mode, plus hitch views for the backup camera. Adding the previously mentioned all-wheel drive costs $2000 and is an incredibly wise investment for anyone intending to spend time on a slick boat launch ramp.

Fuel capacity, a generous 19.4 gallons, juxtaposed against an estimated 26 mpg (highway), calculates to a range of 504 miles. Combined city and highway mileage drops that figure to 21 mpg. The EPA calculates Enclave's fuel economy as 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. With all-wheel drive, it drops a tad to 17 and 25 mpg.

The vehicle warranty term runs for 3 Years or 36,000 Miles, with the Powertrain coverage lasting for 5 Years/60,000 Miles. In the final analysis, the luxurious Avenir is eminently comfortable, whisper-quiet, and practical, with a base price of $58,895.

Automotive journalist, Timothy Banse, wrote The Gazette's Motoring car review column from 1989 to 2013 and has published stories in Popular Mechanics and Yachting magazine. He's toured carmaker factory floors in the U.S. and Japan and raced cars at Riverside, Watkins Glen, and Michigan International Raceway press events. He's stood close enough to a crash test to feel the shock wave reverberate off his chest. His first car was a vintage '56 Chevy Belair.