General Motors has been taking a beating for over a year now due to sales dips, make/model image issues, and labor and inheritance issues. Truly, if there had been a better time to kickstart the company, I am not sure what it’d be. Luckily, somebody in GM’s walnut-trimmed boardroom is getting the message: build what we want and we’re going to it. The Buick Enclave, a luxury SUV making the rounds of the U.S. auto shows, appears to be one such winner.

I notice that I am in the minority of auto critics, but I think that Buick is on the correct path. The Lucerne, a full sized auto primarily based on the Cadillac DTS, is a beauty and Buick’s next newest model, the mid sized Lacrosse, is another engaging looking car. Still, Buick’s remaining fleet has been scaled back with just 2 SUVs and one crossover vehicle, the Terraza, left. At times it isn’t clear what plans GM has for its “near luxury” division, but if the Sanctuary is one example, then Buick has a promising future.

Without having pictures available to show you, it can be tough to describe the Enclave. When I viewed photos on diverse sites, I couldn’t help but think the Retreat was like the Enclave was similar to the Subaru B9 Tribeca. Before you get your knickers twisted in a wad, the Sanctuary is a swan in comparison to the hideous Subaru.

Sporting a front end akin to the Lucerne, the back end looks a lot like the Tribeca. Overall lines are rather car like but the Sanctuary actually does sport an SUV look with calmer lines.

What we know about the Enclave at this point is reasonably limited. The vehicle sits on a 119 in. wheelbase and is powered by a 3.6L V6. So, it would appear that Buick will replace the smaller Rendezvous with the Retreat and keep the larger Rainier. Or, maybe, the Rainier will be retired altogether.

The Sanctuary has all the amenities a Buick owner is used to including : leather appointments, power everything, OnStar, a number of entertainment options, responsive handling, and a quiet cabin. Photographs exhibit 21″ tires with 7 spoke wheels. Seating is for 6, spread out over three rows. No couch seating either; individual bucket seats are pencilled in for all six passengers.

There is no official word yet whether the Enclave will see the light of day at least in its present interpretation. Still, the automobile is a fresh look for a refreshed division, something that Buick definitely needs in order to keep the momentum going.

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