2022 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave marked a significant return to form 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 just under $55,000. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, giving it a premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft, perforated leather, although the wood trim was not genuine.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon embraced a bold, chrome-heavy design to distinguish itself from other large SUVs. The Denali trim, in particular, featured a vast, multi-dimensional chrome grille and 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, giving it a commanding presence. The off-road-oriented AT4 trim had its own unique styling with a dark grille, skid plate, and red recovery hooks. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim boasted four exclusive interior designs, including the Teak/Light Shale color combo with unique stitching and natural wood details, while the AT4 featured a Jet Black interior with Brandy accents and dark brushed aluminum details.

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. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic provided smooth shifts. The Enclave's maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. During testing, the Enclave averaged 21.2 mpg, slightly above the EPA's combined rating of 21 mpg. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension and highway-speed automatic emergency braking, enhanced the driving experience.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon came standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD), with four-wheel drive (4WD) available. The AT4 trim was exclusively 4WD. The Yukon's maximum towing capacity was 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and Max Trailering Package. The Denali trim, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, had an 8,200-pound tow rating. The Yukon's independent rear suspension improved ride quality and handling, although some bouncing was noted over rutted pavement.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious and easy to access, with 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third row down 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 GMC Yukon addressed previous shortcomings in third-row space with a redesign that increased legroom by over 10 inches. The second-row seats folded flat and offered power fold-and-tumble functionality for easier access to the third row. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding center console with hidden storage, power-retractable assist steps, and pushbutton transmission controls. Cargo space behind the third row increased to 25.5 cubic feet, and the power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, it lacked advanced features like smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim's 10-speaker Bose sound system was adequate but not exceptional. The rear camera mirror, which provided a live video feed of what was behind the vehicle, was a notable feature.

The 2022 GMC Yukon featured a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless phone charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Denali trim's Bose 14-speaker audio system was underwhelming, but the rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens offered extensive connectivity options.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trim levels. 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 parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control was only available on the Avenir trim with the optional Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but only four stars for frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with GMC's Pro Safety suite, which included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, following distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Pro Safety Plus package added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection and three stars for rollover resistance.