2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave marked a significant step in Buick's journey to reclaim its former glory. After a challenging period, Buick found its footing by offering globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave, however, stood out as a distinctly American-made SUV, embodying the brand's past grandeur while catering to modern consumer preferences for SUVs. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, the Enclave offered a blend of style and luxury, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and luxurious leather, though the wood trim was not genuine. Despite a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter, the Enclave's interior was otherwise simple and user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban embraced Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. The Suburban's imposing presence was enhanced by its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels, with grille, fascia, and wheel designs varying by trim level. The RST trim, in particular, offered a sporty look with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch wheels, and monochromatic black grille. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with a range of comfort levels, from the base LS trim to the plush High Country. The RST trim featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching and optional heated second-row seats. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel somewhat dark, despite the chrome sill plates and red stitching.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offered a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Enclave's V6 engine delivered strong acceleration, aided by its low torque peak, and the nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts. The Enclave's ride and handling were enhanced by the Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. The suspension proved its worth across various driving environments, from urban streets to highways. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. The 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The turbodiesel engine offered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, as well as third-row passenger space and cargo capacity. The RST trim, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, provided effortless power and acceleration, making it well-suited for towing. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver's seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Enclave's cabin was designed for comfort, with a stylish center console and ample storage space. The third-row seat was roomy and accessible, with 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third row increased cargo space to 58 cubic feet, and with the second row folded, the Enclave offered a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine passengers with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row providing ample headroom and legroom. The Suburban's cargo space was impressive, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The second-row seats could slide forward or backward, and both rows folded flat with ease. The Suburban's cabin featured a power-sliding center console, a hidden storage drawer, and numerous storage cubbies. However, its size made maneuvering and parking challenging, especially in tight spaces.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times, voice recognition, and a user-friendly interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Enclave's technology fell short in screen size, smart home integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was not as impressive as competitors' offerings. The rear camera mirror was a useful feature, providing a live video view of the rear.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a surprising level of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system with Google built-in was standard on higher trims. The Suburban featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. The LS trim had a basic six-speaker audio system, while the LT and above featured a nine-speaker Bose system. The Premier and High Country trims offered a 10-speaker Bose Surround system. The Suburban's technology offerings were comprehensive, with multiple camera views and advanced connectivity features.

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, pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking were optional on the Avenir trim. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with standard safety features as part of the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and pedestrian braking. For 2022, additional features like front park assist and lane-keeping assistance were added. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS had not yet tested the current-generation Suburban.