2022 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Buick Enclave

Once upon a time, Buicks were big, shiny, and impressive. However, during the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing, they lost much of their luster. It took a considerable amount of time for Buick to recover from the mistakes that had crippled the brand’s potential for success. Due to their popularity in China, Buick remained as one of the four brands to survive after General Motors' 2009 bankruptcy.

After finding stability as a repository for globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles, such as the Encore from South Korea and the Regal from Germany, Buick emerged with a variety of models. The brand sold a convertible (Cascada), a sports wagon (TourX), a sport sedan (Regal GS), and a plush luxury car (LaCrosse). However, the American-made, big, shiny, and impressive Enclave was the model that connected Buick with its glorious past while resonating with contemporary consumers' preference for SUVs.

By 2021, this remained true, with the Enclave being the largest of the four SUVs Buick sold. The other three—the Encore, Encore GX, and Envision—catered to smaller segments. Despite the disappearance of Buick’s car models due to lack of consumer interest, the Enclave persisted and sold impressively well.

The Enclave came in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with prices ranging from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000, including the $1,195 destination charge. It competed against higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and the lower-priced versions of luxury models. The Enclave had the looks to contend with premium-priced SUVs, appearing elegant and poised. The Avenir trim added even more presence with a unique grille pattern, additional brightwork, and unique 20-inch wheels with a polished finish.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, and tasteful polished accents, dressing up the two-tone interior treatment. Soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather seats conveyed a sense of luxury, although the wood used in the interior was not genuine. The simplistic design reigned supreme, except for the slightly fussy electronic transmission shifter, which most users adapted to quickly.

The 2022 Ford Explorer lineup expanded with the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trim levels, and introduced the ST-Line for a sportier look. Priced between $33,745 and $54,495, excluding the $1,495 destination charge, the Explorer offered something for every type of buyer.

The King Ranch trim, in particular, showcased a host of exclusive features such as King Ranch emblems on the doors and liftgate, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, making it distinct yet subtly attractive. It had a tall, athletic appearance with a long and tall hood, a short front overhang, and a tapering greenhouse, enhanced by blacked-out roof pillars that gave the Explorer a floating roof visual effect.

Inside, the King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts. The leather came only in one color combination, with the King Ranch branding marking the seats and center armrest pad. An alternative would be the Platinum trim for those preferring a different interior color scheme.

As with diverse model lineups, the King Ranch’s cabin displayed a mix of quality and some cheaper-feeling materials, but overall, it felt worthy of its near $60,000 price tag.

Under the hood of the 2021 Buick Enclave, simplicity was the rule. Every version of this SUV came equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 engine generated 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a remarkably low 2,800 rpm, a trait typically seen in turbocharged and supercharged engines.

When properly equipped, the Enclave had a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. Its acceleration was strong, thanks to the low torque peak of the V6 engine. Despite its large size, the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV, though its dimensions continually reminded one of its considerable size. The nine-speed automatic transmission was highly efficient, ensuring smooth shifts without fail.

The $57,090 Enclave tested came with the Avenir Technology Package, which was highly recommended for its outstanding premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and the inclusion of automatic emergency braking that activated at highway speeds. The suspension system performed well over various terrains, from residential streets with speed humps to steep canyon roads, urban pavements, and highways. The Enclave delivered a comfortable and serene ride, embodying Buick’s QuietTuning effort.

The steering response was satisfactory but could have been quicker, enhancing maneuverability. Per the EPA, the Enclave achieved 21 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 21.2 mpg. Given its 21.7-gallon fuel tank, the Enclave could travel up to 460 miles on a full tank, typically requiring a refuel around the 420-mile mark.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline variants were powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in RWD or 4WD, this setup provided a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and a fuel economy of up to 24 mpg in combined driving.

The Explorer Limited offered an efficient hybrid drivetrain, which reduced the price of the Platinum trim by $1,400. It featured a 3.3-liter V6 engine with a combined output of 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, towing up to 5,000 pounds, and achieving as much as 27 mpg in combined driving.

For those prioritizing acceleration and towing capacity over fuel economy, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine was available in the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims. It produced 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque and had a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds while achieving 21 mpg in combined driving. The King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg during testing. Though less efficient, the twin-turbo V6 delivered satisfying power and acceleration with a pleasant exhaust note.

The Explorer exhibited robust road manners, feeling more like a traditional SUV but without the usual skittishness over bumps. It handled moderate off-road terrains well, offering a trail setting and 7.9 inches of ground clearance. The Timberline variant was even better equipped for off-roading, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure.

For daily driving, the King Ranch trim was responsive and athletic, excelling in cornering. The Explorer ST, with its sport-tuned configuration and high-performance package, provided an even more engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave stood out as one of the largest SUVs in its class. It was a wide, long, and spacious vehicle that comfortably accommodated six people (seven in a pinch). The cabin was designed to be one of the most comfortable and quiet in its segment, thanks to Buick’s signature QuietTuning, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated windshield glass.

The Avenir trim boasted a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support and a basic massage function. The front passenger seat offered 10-way power adjustment with a matching massage feature. Both front seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The steering wheel, also leather-wrapped and accented with wood, was power tilt-and-telescopic and heated.

A stylish center console flowed seamlessly between the seats, padded for comfort and offering storage space under the transmission shifter and in a bin beneath the center armrest. Hidden cupholders provided a clean, sleek look when not in use.

Standard seating included second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat, resulting in a seven-passenger configuration. The second row lacked a bench option and side window sunshades. However, triple-zone climate control and heated second-row captain’s chairs were standard in the Avenir trim.

The large size of the Enclave made its third-row seating genuinely useful, rivaling the rear accommodations of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. Accessing the third row was easy, thanks to the huge rear doors and passage between the captain’s chairs.

In terms of cargo space, the Enclave excelled. It offered 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat.

For the 2022 Ford Explorer, family comfort was a top priority. The Explorer suited four people comfortably, or five if opting for the second-row bench seat. However, the rear-drive platform, low rear roofline, and tapered tail limited the third-row seat’s usability to children.

As a high-end King Ranch trim, our test vehicle was equipped with triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Massaging front seats were standard, with 14-way power adjustment for drivers and eight-way for front passengers.

The front seats, even without the massage function, were exceptionally comfortable and suited for long trips. The second-row seats were similarly accommodating, with manual side window sunshades included. However, the third-row seat was difficult for adults to access, and its low, flat cushion and limited legroom made it unappealing for grown-ups.

Practical storage within the cabin was somewhat lacking. The center console storage bin was stingy, and several missed opportunities for additional storage existed, such as a tray on the front door armrests or a dashboard shelf. The wireless charging pad and smartphone holder near the cupholders were convenient but easy to overlook.

Rear storage was thoughtfully designed, with built-in cupholders in the door panels and additional cupholders and a shallow tray between the captain’s chairs. However, the Explorer’s emphasis appeared to favor the “sport” over the “utility” aspect, limiting practical storage pockets, shelves, cubbies, and hooks.

In terms of cargo space, the Explorer was well-equipped. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 18.2 cubic feet of storage behind the third-row seat. With the 50/50-split, power-folding third-row seats down, the Explorer offered 47.9 cubic feet of space, and folding both rear rows down provided a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet.

To maintain competitiveness in the premium SUV market, Buick needed to improve its infotainment technology. The existing Buick Infotainment System in the Enclave met basic expectations with quick response times, adequate voice recognition technology, and a simple, logical user interface.

Each Enclave offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports across all three rows. Parents could benefit from the Teen Driver function, which generated a driving report card for young drivers. Available upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system.

Nevertheless, the Enclave's technology fell short in areas such as screen size, integration with smart home digital assistants, and high-end audio components. The Avenir’s 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the absence of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration, along with a basic 10-speaker Bose sound system, paled in comparison to what competitors offered. Additionally, Buick's short free trial periods for connected services before transitioning to paid subscriptions were a drawback.

A standout feature was the rear camera mirror, which displayed a live video feed of what was behind the Enclave on the rearview mirror. This could be toggled between a standard reflection and the video feed, proving useful in everyday scenarios.

In comparison, Ford provided two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system in the 2022 Explorer. One featured an 8-inch touchscreen display horizontally mounted between the center dashboard air vents, while the other showcased a 10.1-inch touchscreen in portrait style. The smaller screen seamlessly integrated with the Explorer’s interior design, but the larger screen appeared as an afterthought.

Our King Ranch test vehicle included the full suite of Sync 3 technology, encompassing FordPass Connect services with remote engine start, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The King Ranch also featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and an impressive 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system.

Differences between the Sync 3 system and Ford's next-generation Sync 4 in other models were notable, particularly in voice recognition and feature activation using spoken commands. For instance, getting directions to a well-known destination like 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue proved challenging, and the system struggled with finding a specific local restaurant.

While Sync 4 was significantly better, the Explorer's Sync 3 system necessitated upgrades, including a new dashboard for larger touchscreen displays. However, the Explorer King Ranch's in-vehicle tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0 for autonomous parking, proving convenient for drivers.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in its safety systems despite their satisfactory performance. However, Buick limited safety features that were standard on more affordable cars to the most expensive Enclave trims.

For example, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available starting from the Essence trim. Moreover, the Driver Confidence Plus Package, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors, was standard only on the Premium and Avenir trims.

Additional advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking at highway speeds were exclusive to the Avenir trim with the optional Avenir Technology Package. Buick did not offer lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking functions, or Level 2 driving assistance technologies, such as GM’s Super Cruise.

Despite offering adequate protection in crashes, the Enclave fell short in terms of available safety tech critically valued by family-sized SUV buyers. It received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), although it had a four-star rating for frontal impacts due to a four-star front passenger rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded high marks across the board, but the SUV missed the Top Safety Pick accolade due to a Marginal headlight performance rating.

Conversely, the 2022 Ford Explorer achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for all versions. At the time of review, NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 Explorer, though previous models consistently earned five-star ratings, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance.

Every 2022 Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Also, automatic high-beam headlights were standard.

Explorer models equipped with Co-Pilot360 Assist+ included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Additional features like a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions catered to family safety and teenage drivers.

While Co-Pilot360 and Co-Pilot360 Assist+ operated smoothly, there were occasional lapses, such as unnecessary steering wheel sensitivity warnings and minor braking issues in moderate traffic. However, the system performed reliably during sharp road bends and merge scenarios, maintaining stability on various road types without confusion.