2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave marked a significant recovery for Buick, which had struggled through 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. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave ranged in price from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. It competed with higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and lower-priced versions of luxury models. The Enclave's design, especially in the Avenir trim, featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, giving it a premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft, perforated leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The only downside was the fussy electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. More affordable SLE and SLT trims were available, as well as the luxurious Terrain Denali. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain's interior quality and execution left something to be desired. The head-up display projected data onto a clear plastic panel rather than the windshield, and the pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive. The Terrain's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations for a vehicle priced above $40,000, although the caramel-colored contrast piping and stitching in the AT4 trim were a nice touch.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the vehicle handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and highway-speed automatic emergency braking, enhanced the driving experience. The suspension proved exceptional across various driving conditions, and the Enclave achieved an average fuel economy of 21.2 mpg on a 140-mile test loop, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and a higher towing capacity, was no longer available. The 1.5-liter engine's torque was accessible between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay in acceleration off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the optimal torque band once moving. The Terrain AT4 could switch between FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system available. The AT4's 17-inch wheels and 7.9 inches of ground clearance provided a decent ride on pavement, but the vehicle struggled off-road, scraping the front end on uneven terrain. The Terrain's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg, and it achieved 26.2 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver and 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seats, both with heating, ventilation, and basic massaging functions. The second-row captain's chairs and three-person third-row bench seat provided comfortable seating, with heated second-row seats available. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious, and access was easy through the large rear doors. Cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet 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 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colored contrast stitching and piping. The back seat provided ample legroom and foot room, with a rear USB charging port. The Terrain's storage solutions included various slots and shelves throughout the interior. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the Enclave lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The rear camera mirror, which provided a live video view of what was behind the vehicle, was a useful feature.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for the SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system. The remote engine starting system was a convenient feature for different climates.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited in availability. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on the Essence trim and higher. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was only available on the Avenir trim with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology. The NHTSA awarded the Enclave a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS gave it high marks except for a Marginal headlight performance rating.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, available on SLE, SLT, and AT4 trims and standard on Denali, added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, with a Marginal rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness.