2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's journey back to its roots of producing big, shiny, and impressive vehicles. 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 that connected Buick to its glorious past while catering to modern consumer preferences for SUVs. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, the Enclave offered a commanding presence, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir exuded luxury with its organic forms, minimalist controls, and soft leather upholstery, although the wood accents were not genuine. The interior was simple yet elegant, marred only by a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a new era for Hyundai's electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. The Ioniq 5's exterior design was a mix of minimal character lines and intricate Parametric Pixel design elements, giving it a concept car-like appearance. The lighting details were extensive, with pixelated LEDs used throughout. Inside, the Ioniq 5's cabin was a departure from its exterior, offering a calm and relaxing "Living Space" theme with mellow color options and sustainable materials. The interior was designed for comfort, featuring a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat and a focus on reducing noise, vibration, and harshness. The Ioniq 5's design was both futuristic and functional, providing a unique blend of style and practicality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 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 performance was characterized by strong acceleration and a smooth ride, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping. The SUV's handling was impressive for its size, and it achieved an average fuel economy of 21.2 mpg during testing. The Enclave's towing capacity was up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it a versatile option for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains, with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive available. The base SE Standard Range model featured a 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range models provided 225 horsepower and a range of 303 miles, while the AWD variant delivered 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was solid for a midsize crossover, with a focus on comfort and control rather than sporty dynamics. The vehicle featured four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The Ioniq 5's regenerative braking system offered multiple levels of adjustment, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious seating for six or seven passengers. The interior was designed for comfort, with features like a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Enclave's cabin was quiet and serene, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts and laminated glass. The SUV provided ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform, offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the Hyundai Palisade. The Ioniq 5's cabin was roomy, with a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, prioritizing passenger comfort over cargo space. The interior featured soft touchpoints and a moveable center console, enhancing usability. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, catering to a wide range of drivers. The Ioniq 5's design emphasized flexibility and convenience, with innovative features like a modern take on the retro front bench seat.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, it fell short in terms of screen size and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10-speaker Bose sound system, but lacked integration with smart home digital assistants. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what's behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. The Ioniq 5 supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. The vehicle featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, and over-the-air updates. The Ioniq 5's 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for improved visibility.

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, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The vehicle's head-up display with augmented reality overlays was innovative but could be distracting. While official safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested high marks for the Ioniq 5.