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- Best-in-Class Trunk Space (Truly Impressive). 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row — that’s excellent for a midsize SUV. And the power-folding third row is fast. Like actually fast. Plus the deep underfloor storage? Chef’s kiss.
- Car-Seat Friendly Tilt. The passenger-side captain’s chair tilts and slides forward even with a car seat installed using lower anchors. That’s a huge win for real-life third-row access.
- Strong Car Seat Hardware Setup. Lower anchors and tether anchors in both second-row captain’s chairs, plus three tether anchors across the third row. Flexible installs, solid setup.
- Rear View Camera Mirror. If you’ve got older kids or forward-facing car seats in the third row, this feature is gold. Clear, unobstructed visibility no matter what’s happening behind you.
- Massaging Front Seats (Avenir Trim). Heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The massage is subtle — more movement than vibration — but on long drives? You’ll appreciate it.
- Crisp 360° Camera System. The surround view is super clear with multiple angles, including side and tow hitch views. In a large three-row SUV, that matters.
- Ceiling Vents in Every Row. We love overhead vents in the second and third rows. Airflow for everyone. Non-negotiable.
- Emperor Blue Metallic + Chrome Accents. This color with the Avenir chrome detailing looks upscale and polished. It feels elevated without being flashy.
The Exterior
The 2023 Enclave Avenir has a polished, upscale look. The refreshed front grille and LED light bar give it a more modern feel, and the Emperor Blue Metallic with all the chrome accents looks especially sharp. It’s also one of the largest midsize SUVs in the segment, so it has real presence on the road without jumping into full-size territory. Overall, it feels refined and substantial — not sporty, but definitely elevated.
First Row
Up front, the Enclave Avenir definitely leans into that near-luxury feel. The seats are genuinely comfortable, and this trim gives you heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The massage is subtle — more of a gentle movement than a vibration — but on longer drives it’s a nice touch. You also get a heads-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a super crisp 360° camera system, which I always appreciate in a three-row SUV.
The infotainment system is simple and very user-friendly. You have navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and easy-to-use climate controls with both touchscreen and physical button access. It feels intuitive and familiar if you’ve driven other GM vehicles.
That said, for a $61,000 SUV, there are a couple things that stand out.
What We Love:
- Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats (Avenir trim)
- Heads-up display to keep your eyes on the road
- Crisp 360° surround view camera with multiple angles
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Rear camera mirror for unobstructed visibility
Things to Consider:
- Infotainment screen feels a bit small for the price point
- Center console is deep but not very wide
- Cup holders work, but they’re not oversized
- Interior feels nice, but not fully luxury-level at $61K
Overall, it’s a very comfortable and well-equipped front row — it just doesn’t quite hit full luxury vibes for the sticker price.
Second Row
The second row of the Enclave is where this SUV really earns its family-friendly reputation. It’s spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully laid out. Head clearance, knee clearance, and overall comfort are excellent, and it feels open thanks to the large windows and panoramic-style roof. From a car seat perspective, this is one of the more flexible midsize setups in the segment — especially compared to smaller three-row SUVs.
That said, there are a couple quirks depending on which side you’re sitting on and how you plan to configure it.
What We Love:
- Lower anchors and tether anchors in both captain’s chairs
- Three tether anchors in the third row for forward-facing installs
- Passenger-side car-seat friendly tilt for easy third-row access
- Wide aisle compared to many midsize SUVs
- Heated second-row seats (Avenir trim)
- Ceiling vents, two USB ports, and a 12V outlet
- Excellent rear-facing clearance due to overall cabin size
Things to Consider:
- Only available with captain’s chairs (no bench option)
- Driver-side seat folds forward but does not offer full tilt-and-slide functionality
- No built-in sunshades
- Some third-row headrest interference may affect certain car seat installs
- No lower anchors in the third row
Overall, the second row is comfortable, practical, and genuinely family-ready. It’s one of the stronger midsize setups for car seats and third-row access — with just a few minor limitations to be aware of.
Third Row
The third row in the Enclave is solid for a midsize SUV. It’s not full-size spacious, but it’s absolutely usable — and more comfortable than many competitors in this segment. Even though the Enclave is one of the larger midsize SUVs, a lot of that extra space shows up in the trunk rather than dramatically expanding third-row legroom.
Here’s what stands out back here:
- Three tether anchors across the third row for forward-facing car seats
- No lower anchors in this row
- Wide seating positions compared to many midsize competitors
- Flexible buckles that help with forward-facing installs
- Ceiling vents and a USB port for rear passengers
- Floorboard is not overly elevated, so knees aren’t forced up
- No middle head restraint, making that center seat less ideal for adults
Overall, it’s a functional and family-ready third row. It works especially well for kids and forward-facing car seats, but it’s not trying to compete with a full-size SUV or minivan for adult comfort.
Trunk
The cargo area in the Enclave is practical and family-friendly, with one standout feature that genuinely impressed me. Behind the third row, you have a usable amount of space for everyday errands, but what really elevates it is the deep underfloor storage compartment. It is significantly deeper than what we typically see in this class, making it ideal for storing sports equipment, emergency supplies, extra diapers, or anything you prefer to keep hidden and secure.
The available cargo mat that extends over the folded third row is also a thoughtful touch. It helps protect the seatbacks when you lower the third row for larger loads, which is especially helpful for strollers, grocery hauls, or weekend projects.
Power-folding third-row controls located in the cargo area make it easy to adjust the seating configuration without walking around the vehicle. Overall, while the standard cargo space behind the third row is competitive rather than class-leading, the hidden storage and practical design elements make it highly functional for family use.
Safety
At $61,000, I expect a strong safety suite — and the Enclave Avenir delivers on the essentials most families care about. It comes well-equipped with modern driver assistance technology, and the visibility features in particular stand out.
Key safety highlights include:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking
- Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
- Blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert
- Front and rear park assist
- Heads-up display
Where the Enclave really shines is in visibility:
- Crisp 360° surround view camera with multiple angles
- Side camera views and tow hitch view
- Rear view camera mirror for an unobstructed rear view
That rear camera mirror is especially helpful if you have forward-facing car seats or older kids in the third row, where visibility can otherwise be limited. Overall, the safety package feels comprehensive and well-suited for busy family driving.
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