Wait, what? A Sport Touring edition? Aren’t those mutually exclusive styles of handling? That’s like Chevrolet->ke199 throwing an SS badge on a Silverado 3500 HD. “The HD SS, the pentacle of high-performance trailer-towing upsets lap records->ke1948 at Nürburgring and Laguna Seca,” the press release would read. While that would be bad enough, it’d be worse if the badges didn’t mean anything. Well that’s apparently the case with Buick’->ke17s latest appearance package for its largest SUV,->ke145 the three-row Enclave.->ke1275

This special edition Enclave is neither sportier nor cushier, but rather more “blinged out” with a color Buick calls Satin Black Ice. The color can be found on the grille and within the spokes of the 20-inch chrome wheels. The ice blue color is found inside as well, emanating from the dash via LED bulbs. There’s only three body colors offered as well, which include White Frost Tricoat, Crimson Red Metallic, and Ebony Twilight Metallic. What’s more, the Enclave isn’t the only Buick getting the icy treatment. It can be ordered on the LaCrosse,->ke1790 Regal,->ke3574 Verano,->ke3685 and Encore.->ke4147

Buick says the Sport Touring Edition is a reward for its loyal customer base, citing that 33.4 percent of Enclave sales in 2015 came from returning customers. Though the automaker only has two SUV models, they accounted for 61 percent of Buick sales last year. That percentage will certainly grow with the 2016 Envision crossover hitting the market this summer.

“The industry doesn’t have many success stories better than the Buick Enclave,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick. “It has created a new generation of Buick customers and delivered on their expectations again and again. The Sport Touring Edition is a great update for our flagship crossover SUV as the Buick family continues to grow this year.”

We don’t know who that “new generation” of customer is, but they’ll be able to purchase the Enclave Sport Touring Edition this summer for a slight premium over the 1SL and 1SN trim packages.

Continue reading to learn more about the Buick Enclave Sport Touring Edition.

2016 Buick Enclave Sport Touring Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Buick Enclave Sport Touring Edition
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 288
  • Torque: 270
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the Buick Enclave Sport Touring Edition special

Not much changes with the Sport Touring Edition, save of course for the Satin Black Ice color on the grille and wheels. The Enclave saw its last facelift in 2013 when Buick refreshed the crossover after its 2008 introduction. The crossover still wears its large grille with vertical slats and large emblem, parked between two projector-beam headlights with LED accents. Fake portholes on the hood recall Buick’s glory days. The nine-spoke, 20-inch wheels feature a polished chrome face with that Satin Black ice color filling the voids between.

The Enclave’s Lambda genes don’t let it depart too far from its Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia siblings. That’s especially true when looking at the Enclave’s flanks. The sloping roofline and rising beltline are familiar with the Lambda crew, but do provide for an enormous amount of room inside.

Speaking of inside, the Sport Touring Edition makes several features standard. These include a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel, eight-way power seats up front, IntelliLink infotainment software with 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Tri-zone climate control, and rear park assist with dynamic guidelines on the backup camera. Premium models further get heated and vented from seats and a power-adjustable steering column.

Unique to the Sport Touring Edition is the ice-blue LED ambient lighting around the instrument panel.

The interior is otherwise the same to other Enclave models, giving it seating for up to eight passengers. A seven-passenger version is available, offering second-row captains chairs with easy access to the third row.

Nothing changes for the Enclave’s 3.6-liter V-6. It utilizes direct injection and variable valve timing to create 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The transversely mounted engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that powers either the front wheels, or all four if AWD is ordered.

The EPA rates the FWD Enclave at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The AWD model comes in at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Those aren’t overly impressive numbers, especially considering the 2015 Chevy Suburban fitted with the 5.3-liter V-8 and 4WD is rated at 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

Buick has not announced pricing for the 2016 Enclave Sport Touring Edition, but our guess pings the option package as costing $995, just like the Enclave’s current optional appearance package, the Tuscan Edition.

Despite the hard time I’m giving it, the Enclave is a solid three-row crossover. All the Lambda siblings are. They are a less expensive alternative to the Suburban and Yukon XL, while achieving the same goals. Besides towing and off-roading, the Enclave competes fairly evenly with GM’s body-on-frame family.

Buick Enclave

Read our full review on the Buick Enclave here.