Buick Enclave trim comparison
2024 Buick Enclave Essence vs Avenir
The Enclave Essence starts at $43,900 while the Avenir is $57,500. That $13,600 gap buys 2 meaningful differences.
$13,600 more is ~$240/month. The question is whether the added equipment will matter to you every week.
The Essence is the cleaner stopping point if keeping roughly $240/month in your budget matters. The Avenir earns the extra money only if you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the Essence to the Avenir is about $240/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $14,400 more by the time interest is counted.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
When both feel the same
The Essence and Avenir are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $13,600 for 1 measurable difference, which works out to about $13,600 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 2 specification differences, 5 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2024. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | Essence | Avenir |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $43,900 | $57,500 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 3.6L V6 | 3.6L V6 |
| Horsepower | 310 hp | 310 hp |
| Torque | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 18 | 18 |
| Highway MPG | 26 | 26 |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 |
| Fuel Tank | 19.0 gal | 19.0 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $2,100/yr | $2,100/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 4,359 lbs | 4,469 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 121.0" | 121.0" |
| Length | 204.8" | 204.8" |
| Width | 78.7" | 78.7" |
| Height | 69.9" | 69.9" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| IIHS Award | TSP+ | TSP+ |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
| Powertrain | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Corrosion | 6yr/100k | 6yr/100k |
| Roadside Assistance | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2024 Buick Enclave Essence vs Avenir Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Buick Enclave lineup, the Buick brand hub, the Full-Size SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2024 Enclave Avenir cost than the Essence?
The Avenir starts at $57,500 compared to $43,900 for the Essence. That is a $13,600 difference, or approximately $240/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2024 Buick Enclave Essence and Avenir have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 3.6L V6 producing 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Do both the 2024 Enclave Essence and Avenir come in AWD?
Both trims start with FWD as standard. AWD is typically available as a factory option on both. Check with your dealer for current AWD pricing. This comparison uses the base FWD configuration.
Is the 2024 Enclave Essence or Avenir safer?
Both share the same Buick Enclave platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating and an IIHS TSP+ designation. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2024 Buick Enclave come with?
All 2024 Buick Enclave trims, including both the Essence and Avenir, come with Buick's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $13,600 Gets You
Same engine, drivetrain, fuel economy, $13,600 more. The Enclave Avenir adds minor equipment upgrades over the Essence, but the core driving experience is identical.
What Both Trims Share
The Enclave Essence and Avenir share the same engine, drivetrain, transmission, and fuel economy. The $13,600 difference comes down to 1 feature and equipment change, not mechanical differences.
Summary
The Enclave Avenir costs $13,600 more than the Essence (about $240/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 1 meaningful change at $13,600 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Buick Enclave Essence
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Essence best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Buick Enclave Avenir
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the Avenir when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2024 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Buick or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.