2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to the brand's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. After a period of decline, Buick found its footing by offering globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave stood out as the largest of Buick's four SUVs, offering a luxurious and spacious interior. The Avenir trim, in particular, added a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to controls, and soft, perforated leather, though the wood accents were not genuine.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT aimed for a rugged look but fell short in some areas. The XRT trim included side steps that impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. Priced higher than the SE and SEL trims but lower than the Limited and Calligraphy trims, the XRT came with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The interior, dressed in Portofino Gray paint with a black cloth interior, lacked visual contrast but offered thoughtful design and high quality for its price point. The Santa Fe XRT's cabin was a good place to pass the time, though it didn't feel as upscale as the higher trims.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. The V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration. The Enclave could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping offered a smooth ride. The Enclave averaged 21.2 mpg on a 140-mile test loop, slightly above the EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for everyday driving, the engine struggled with more demanding tasks like climbing hills. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, and the Santa Fe offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The Santa Fe's ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin, though it occasionally felt bouncy or stiff.

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 a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with a basic massaging function, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat provided comfortable seating, with commendable room in 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 down.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included a dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats provided good comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot room, making it suitable for families. The Santa Fe's cargo space measured 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was a convenient feature, though it sometimes opened unintentionally.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the screen size and lack of smart home digital assistant integration were drawbacks. The rear camera mirror was a neat feature, providing a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services with a three-year subscription. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean on-screen graphics. While the test vehicle lacked the upgraded infotainment system, the Santa Fe offered digital key technology and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. The higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control was available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist were notable additions. The Santa Fe also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Bluelink safety features. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.