2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied the Audi design language while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille, emphasizing width with horizontal elements. The body showcased crisp character lines, and the rear was marked by bold, large taillights. The Q5 exuded a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in hybrid version, with S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, stood out even more, offering standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern aesthetic, packed with technology yet uncluttered. Controls were smartly grouped, and the design was cohesive and pleasing. High-quality materials, including real wood and metal, were used throughout, with crisp lines where different materials met. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was positioned perfectly for the driver’s line of sight. The second row was well-appointed, featuring standard leather seating surfaces.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, marked a shift from Buick's traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Over the years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to a focus on SUVs, reflecting market trends. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, was a significant part of this transformation, offering a fresh design with a new grille, fascias, and wheel designs as part of its 2022 refresh. The Avenir trim level featured unique styling elements, including a distinctive grille and 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with new push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and stitching. The Enclave came in Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with the Avenir featuring a deep red Rich Garnet Metallic color and Ebony perforated leather seats. While not quite reaching luxury levels, the Avenir trim offered a higher quality feel with exclusive seat patterns and piping.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV enhanced the driving experience with an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque from a 14.1-kWh battery, resulting in a total output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup, combined with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, provided impressive acceleration, reaching 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The Q5 PHEV offered a fuel economy of 65 MPGe combined and 27 mpg in gasoline-only mode. It featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with Quattro all-wheel drive and various driving modes, including a battery-only mode for up to 20 miles. The Q5's handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things simple with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's powertrain was responsive, offering good acceleration despite its size. The nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly, and the engine produced pleasant sounds at wide-open throttle.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered a well-packaged interior with 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with heating and ventilation options. The interior featured smartly laid-out controls and ample storage options.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, offering easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. It featured an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which offered ample space even for taller passengers. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears and accessible USB ports.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. The system offered three customizable views and was paired with color/mood-adjustable LED ambient lighting. The Prestige Package included navigation, which worked with the hybrid system to optimize fuel consumption. The Integrated Toll Module was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system was available. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch version on Premium and Avenir trims. The Essence trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging. The system could pair up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave also featured SiriusXM 360L, six USB ports, and various driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline model received top ratings in most categories. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, Audi Pre Sense, and various driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. The Premium trim added enhanced features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings, but the Enclave received four stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in most crash tests.