Biggest Buick gets updated, still feels sort of old

With space for six or seven passengers, a whisper-quiet cabin, a respectable load of safety tech, and an available rear-seat entertainment, the 2014 Buick Enclave AWD Premium seems like it would be a nice minivan alternative for moms and dads. However, the presence of the tri-shield Buick badge places it firmly in many prospective owners’ minds as more of a grandma and grandpa kind of ride.

The automaker has been making great strides to update its image and appear more youthful with a string of sporty sedans with greatly improved tech. Has any of this young DNA seeped into the big crossover? We hopped behind the wheel of the Enclave to figure out just how “old” this crossover really is.

IntelliLink tech package At the center of dashboard (and at the center of the Buick’s dashboard tech) is a 6.5-inch color touch screen surrounded by capacitive buttons and powered by the IntelliLink infotainment system. This system offers a similar level of app integration that you’ll find in the Chevrolet MyLink system. That means that you’ll be able to command the Pandora, Stitcher, and Slacker apps on your smartphone via the touch screen interface, with access to your custom stations, podcasts, and more.

The Enclave has a new look and new tech.

(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

IntelliLink also gives the driver control over the AM/FM radio with HD Radio decoding and the SiriusXM satellite ra… [Read more]