The Buick Enclave does 20 mpg combined (17.4 city, 24.7 highway), which works out to about $1,920 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl does 22.5 mpg while 3.6L 6-cyl does 19.7 — a difference of $242 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Buick Enclave engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Buick Enclave ranges from 22.5 down to 19.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $242 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 20 / 26 | 2025–2026 | $1,707 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 17.1 / 24.6 | 2008–2024 | $1,949 |
What that actually costs
The Buick Enclave burns a gallon every 20 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 600 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$10 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,132 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Buick Enclave gives up 7.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.7 out there against 17.4 in town, a 42% drop worth $652 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.4 mpg | $2,207 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.7 mpg | $1,555 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.3 mpg (42%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Enclave changed over the years
The Enclave peaked in 2025 at 23 mpg (20 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2017 at 18 — 5 mpg apart, or $463 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 22. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2025 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2024 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2023 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2022 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2021 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2020 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2019 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2018 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2017 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2016 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2015 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2014 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2012 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2011 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2010 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2009 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2008 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 19 EPA ratings of the Buick Enclave — 2 engines across 2008–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,132. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Buick Enclave get?
20 mpg combined on average — 17.4 in the city and 24.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2008–2026.
How much does a Buick Enclave cost in fuel per year?
About $1,920 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,600 over five years, or 0.160 dollars a mile.
Which Enclave engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl at 22.5 mpg, against 19.7 for the 3.6L 6-cyl — a difference of about $242 a year.
Is the Enclave good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Enclave figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Buick Enclave is $3,132 against the $1,920 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 23 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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