2022 Kia Sorento vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick'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, the largest of Buick's four SUVs, stood out with its American-made build and premium looks, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and luxurious leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple, except for the electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line treatment, exuded a rugged and stylish presence. The X-Line package added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails. Our test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package and additional features, had a total MSRP of $45,310. The Sorento's interior reflected quality and rock-solid construction, with leather upholstery, simulated wood trim, and a traditional cable-operated transmission shifter. The cabin design was detailed and practical, with ample storage space and a sense of luxury, making every drive feel like a great deal.

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 Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping provided a smooth ride. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, and it could travel up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered multiple powertrain options, starting with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. However, the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 281 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 4,000 rpm, was the recommended choice. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, provided a more enjoyable driving experience. The Sorento's AWD system and raised suspension gave it a sporty feel, and the 20-inch alloy wheels and tuned suspension offered a blend of compliance and composure. The Sorento's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing showed an average of 20.7 mpg.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six or seven people. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access and commendable room. Cargo space was impressive, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with a 14-way power driver’s seat, 10-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable and designed for kids, with cupholders, USB charging ports, and rear air conditioning vents. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space was smaller than the Enclave, with 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Sorento's smart power tailgate made loading easier.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services, USB charging ports, and a Teen Driver function. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. The rear camera mirror was a neat feature, but the lack of smart home digital assistant integration and short free trial periods for connected services were drawbacks.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a more advanced infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base LX trim had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration. The Sorento's infotainment system was intuitive, though the font style and graphics might not appeal to everyone. The SX Prestige X-Line trim featured a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the voice recognition system was not as good as Hyundai's.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in its safety systems, as many features were restricted to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available only on the Essence trim and above. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, 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 available only on the Avenir trim with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came standard with Kia Drive Wise, which included a comprehensive list of safety features. The Sorento's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to monitor the interior for movement, and Junction Assist used forward-collision warning to prevent unsafe turns. The Blind View Monitor system, available on the SX Prestige X-Line, showed live video feeds of the SUV's blind spots. Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Highway Driving Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, were also available. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.