2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles, embodying the brand's return to its roots of producing large, impressive vehicles. As the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, the Enclave stood out with its American-made charm, offering a blend of luxury and practicality. It was available in four trims—Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir—ranging from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Enclave's design, especially in the Avenir trim, featured a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, giving it a premium appearance. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet upscale interior with soft leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter required some getting used to, but overall, the Enclave provided a simple and elegant driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX offered subtle styling updates inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. The RDX's lineup included the base model and several option packages, with prices starting at $42,300. The A-Spec Advance package, priced at $53,645, featured high-quality materials and a quieter interior, enhancing its appeal. While the RDX's new vertical air inlets were a matter of taste, the SUV maintained a stylish edge over many competitors. The RDX's interior was marked by a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. Despite its quirks, the RDX's cabin was comfortable, with supportive seats and a thick steering wheel. However, the rear seats lacked comfort, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor. The RDX's cargo space was generous, with 29.5 cubic feet available and additional hidden storage compartments.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offered a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and it handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension and automatic emergency braking, enhanced the driving experience. The suspension was particularly impressive, providing a smooth ride across various terrains. The Enclave achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, and the RDX offered both front-wheel drive and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The SH-AWD system provided excellent torque-vectoring capabilities, enhancing the RDX's driving dynamics. The RDX's adaptive-damping suspension offered a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. Despite its enjoyable driving character, the RDX averaged 20.6 mpg during testing, falling short of its EPA rating of 23 mpg. The RDX's driving dynamics were a highlight, but it lacked the performance badge of Acura's Type S models.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. Its cabin was quiet and comfortable, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts and standard noise-cancellation features. The Avenir trim included power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with massage functions, as well as a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's interior was well-designed, with a stylish center console and ample storage. The third-row seat was spacious, and the Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2022 Acura RDX, while a compact SUV, provided sufficient room for four adults and their luggage. Its interior emphasized a sporty driving position, with a unique control layout that included the True Touchpad Interface. The RDX's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation and heating. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor. The RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with additional hidden storage compartments. A power liftgate with hands-free operation was standard, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times and a user-friendly interface. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the Enclave's technology fell short in terms of screen size and smart home integration. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of the rear.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface, which paired a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller. While the system was complex, it offered a direct one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and the screen. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The RDX's sound systems ranged from a nine-speaker setup to a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system. A head-up display was available with the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited in availability. Features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control was exclusive to the Avenir trim with the optional Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety. It included a rear seatbelt reminder system and the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assist features, such as pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring. The RDX's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were generally accurate but occasionally issued false warnings. The NHTSA awarded the RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings.