2022 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant comeback for the brand, which had struggled during the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing. The Enclave, a large, American-made SUV, helped Buick regain its footing by appealing to consumer preferences for SUVs. It was the largest of Buick's four SUV offerings, standing out with its impressive looks, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and luxurious leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was initially fussy but became intuitive with use.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco captivated buyers with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude. Following its successful debut, the Bronco expanded its lineup with the Everglades and Bronco Raptor models. The Everglades, designed for swamp trekking, featured an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco's design prioritized off-road capabilities, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. Its utilitarian appearance included large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate. Inside, the Bronco offered marine-grade vinyl upholstery, drain plugs, and rubberized toggle switches, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco incorporated advanced technology, such as G.O.A.T. modes and a digital instrument panel, enhancing both off-road and on-road performance.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 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 (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Enclave's V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth shifts. The Enclave's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, offered a premium-tuned ride with continuously variable damping, making it comfortable on various road surfaces. 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 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a crawl gear for low-speed driving, while the V6 was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road performance, with models like the Everglades conquering challenging terrain with ease. On-road, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a versatile vehicle for both off-road adventures and daily driving.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with massaging function, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs and third-row bench seat provided comfortable seating, with easy access to the third row. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design maximized interior space, providing ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The two-door Bronco offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, while the four-door model provided 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, such as netted door pockets, a rubberized phone tray, and accessory rails atop the dash. The Bronco's removable doors and fender flares added to its versatility, and external hard mounting points enhanced its utility for carrying heavy loads or attaching accessories.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, its 8-inch touchscreen display was smaller than those in competing SUVs, and it lacked integration with smart home digital assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Enclave offered a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. One standout feature was the rear camera mirror, which provided a live video feed of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes optimized drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrain, and the forward-looking trail camera provided confidence when navigating obstacles. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and an available wireless charging pad added convenience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the Essence trim and above, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, which included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, was standard on the Premium and Avenir trims. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was only available on the Avenir trim with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but its Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received four out of five stars for frontal crash protection from the NHTSA and three out of five stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it the best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests, and "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats.