How good is the Buick Enclave’s fuel economy for Oklahoma City families?

The Buick Enclave is EPA-estimated at 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. Both trims are rated 20 mpg in the city and 24 to 25 mpg on the highway, which covers the school-run and I-35 driving an Oklahoma City family does.

At Bob Howard Buick GMC, 13300 Broadway Ext in Oklahoma City, we list the Enclave among our new Buick models. The figures below are the EPA certified ratings for the 2026 model year.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Oklahoma City. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

What mpg does the Buick Enclave get for Oklahoma City families?

The Enclave is rated 20 mpg in the city on both trims. Its highway rating is 24 mpg with all-wheel drive and 25 mpg with front-wheel drive, and its combined rating is 21 mpg and 22 mpg. Front-wheel drive gives the higher number on every line except city, where the two trims tie.

EPA certified figures for the 2026 Enclave, by drivetrain:

Most of the Enclave’s miles in Oklahoma City will be school runs, errands and the drive to work, so the city figure is the one you will feel each week. The combined number sums both kinds of driving into one rating, which makes it the easiest way to compare one SUV against another.

How do Enclave trims and drivetrains differ in EPA mpg?

Front-wheel drive is the more efficient Enclave on paper, at 22 mpg combined against 21 mpg for all-wheel drive. The gap comes from the highway figure, 25 mpg against 24, because both trims are rated 20 mpg in the city.

EPA estimates the annual fuel cost at $2,850 for front-wheel drive and $2,950 for all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive model also carries a higher CO2 rating, at 423 grams per mile against 404 grams for front-wheel drive. Both trims use the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, so the difference comes from the drivetrain.

If you want all-wheel drive for the drivetrain itself, the EPA figures show it costs a little more to run each year. Either way, the Enclave gives you a clear mpg number before you decide.

What is the Buick Enclave’s city mpg for school runs and commutes?

Both Enclave trims are EPA-rated at 20 mpg in the city, and that is the figure that matters most for school runs and stop-and-go commutes. Traffic adds fuel use on top of the rating. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s 2025 Urban Mobility Report found that Oklahoma City commuters burned 19 extra gallons of fuel each in 2024 while sitting in congestion.

That is why the city rating is the number to plan around for a weekday. A school drop-off, a stop at the grocery store and a commute on the interstate at rush hour all fall into the city column. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are the same on this line, so the choice between them will not change your daily city mileage.

What is the Buick Enclave’s highway mpg for family road trips?

The Enclave’s EPA highway rating is 24 mpg with all-wheel drive and 25 mpg with front-wheel drive. That is the figure for steady-speed family trips on I-35, I-40 and I-44 out of Oklahoma City.

Highway ratings reflect steady speeds, so a long drive at a steady pace is where this number is most useful. Front-wheel drive adds one mpg on the highway, which adds up over a long drive to see family in another state.

How do Enclave mpg ratings compare with other Buick SUVs?

Every other Buick SUV in this comparison is rated higher on combined mpg than the Enclave. The Envision with all-wheel drive is rated 25 mpg combined, and the Encore GX ranges from 27 to 30 mpg combined. The Envista is rated 30 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.

EPA certified figures for the 2026 model year, by trim:

The Enclave gives up some economy to the rest of this lineup. On its Avenir trim, the Enclave seats up to seven and tows up to 5,000 pounds with the standard Trailering Package, according to the manufacturer. That is the trade-off to weigh when you need a third row.

What engine and fuel-saving features does the Buick Enclave have?

Both Enclave trims use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, according to the EPA record. These are the powertrain figures behind the mpg ratings.

The fuel economy the EPA rates comes from the whole vehicle as tested. The engine, the eight-speed automatic and the drivetrain work together, so the rating reflects the Enclave as it is built.

FAQ

What fuel does the Buick Enclave require?

The EPA record lists gasoline for both the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive Enclave. Both trims use the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and every mpg rating given here is a gasoline rating.

How does the Buick Enclave’s fuel economy compare with the GMC Acadia’s?

The Acadia matches the Enclave on combined mpg, at 21 mpg with all-wheel drive and 22 mpg with front-wheel drive. Both vehicles are rated 20 mpg in the city. On the highway, the Enclave rates 24 mpg with all-wheel drive against the Acadia’s 23, a gap of 1 mpg, while the Acadia rates 26 mpg with front-wheel drive against the Enclave’s 25, a gap of 1 mpg.

Do older Enclave model years have different EPA mpg ratings?

The ratings are the 2026 model year figures from the EPA record. Each rating belongs to the model year it describes, so a 2026 Enclave is rated 20 mpg city, 24 highway and 21 combined with all-wheel drive.

How does the Buick Enclave’s fuel economy compare with the Buick envision’s?

The Envision with all-wheel drive is rated 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.

How does the Buick Enclave’s fuel economy compare with the Buick Encore GX’s?

The Encore GX is rated higher than the Enclave on every line. Its all-wheel drive model is rated 26 mpg city, 28 highway and 27 combined.

Which fuel-saving features does the Buick Enclave list?

The Enclave’s fuel economy comes from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, its eight-speed automatic transmission and its drivetrain, which the EPA tests as one vehicle. For the lowest running cost, front-wheel drive is the choice: it carries the higher combined rating and the lower EPA fuel cost estimate.

What does “EPA-estimated” mean on the Enclave’s mpg rating?

The EPA tests a representative vehicle over five defined test cycles on a dynamometer. The agency audits manufacturer data and independently confirms roughly 15% of results at its NVFEL facility (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026). The rating is an estimate for comparing vehicles, not a promise for every drive.

Which mpg figure should I compare when shopping three-row SUVs?

Compare the combined figure first, because EPA builds it from the city and highway numbers. The city figure is weighted 55% and the highway figure 45% to reach the combined label value (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026). For the Enclave, that gives 21 mpg combined with all-wheel drive and 22 mpg with front-wheel drive, and the Acadia is rated the same.

Why shop for a Buick Enclave at Bob Howard Buick GMC in Oklahoma City?

Bob Howard Buick GMC is part of Group 1 Automotive, and we are at 13300 Broadway Ext in Oklahoma City. Our Google record is 4.4 stars across 3,983 reviews, and 79 in 100 of those reviews are five-star.

Our sales hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. We are closed Sunday.

In an August 2026 Google review, Angiebyron C. wrote: “We had a great experience at Bob Howard Buick GMC. Our salesman, Lance was great! He was knowledge about the vehicle we test drove, was not overly pushy and was overall pleasant to deal with. My husband and I will look at buying our next vehicle here! Two thumbs up 👍🏻 👍🏻”

That is one customer’s account of a visit, and it names the salesman, Lance. To start, bring your questions about the Enclave’s mpg to Bob Howard Buick GMC at 13300 Broadway Ext, or begin at https://www.bobhowardbuickgmc.com.

Bob Howard Buick GMC answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Oklahoma City showroom, or call (405) 928-0697.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Bob Howard Buick GMC for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.