2021 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Buick Enclave was once a beacon of American grandeur, reclaiming its former glory from the not-so-glamorous Malaise Era of automotive design. Buick managed to survive through the challenging times by focusing on markets like China and eventually found its place in the premium SUV segment. The Enclave, the largest of four Buick SUVs, reinvigorated the brand with its distinct styling and American-made quality.

Buick offered the Enclave in four trims: Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, with pricing from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. Competing with higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands while offering a luxurious option compared to lower-priced luxury models, the Enclave held its own. The Avenir trim added an extra touch of sophistication with a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist approach with two-tone interiors, soft, perforated, and embroidered leather seating, and polished accents. While the wood trim wasn’t authentic, the overall luxury theme continued with a seamless interior design. Simplicity defined the Enclave’s cabin, apart from the electronic transmission shifter, which, although fussy at first, became intuitive with use.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX presented a modern and sporty exterior. Available in several trims like the base 350, F Sport, and L, the RX also offered a hybrid variant under the RX 450h designation. The RX’s styling, including sharp character lines and boomerang-like angular features on the front and rear, set it apart in the midsize luxury crossover segment.

F Sport trim added a sporty flair with 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, unique front fascia, and specific badging. The seven paint options, such as Cloudburst Gray and Grecian Water, ensured aesthetic appeal across all trims. The cabin maintained Lexus' luxurious feel, with the F Sport trim adding sporty elements like NuLuxe synthetic leather and Scored Aluminum trim. Despite the cabin's plush appeal, the center stack felt dated, a remnant of the last redesign several years ago.

Overall, the Enclave’s classic elegance contrasted with the RX’s aggressive modernity, providing consumers with two distinct choices in terms of aesthetics and luxury.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave boasted a straightforward yet potent setup. All versions came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at just 2,800 rpm. This powertrain was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD configurations. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, the Enclave offered robust performance.

The Enclave’s acceleration was strong, and it drove like a smaller SUV despite its substantial dimensions. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and its premium-tuned suspension, part of the Avenir Technology Package, delivered exceptional ride quality across various driving environments. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg combined, which matched our test results, allowing for a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

In comparison, the 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added electric motors, resulting in a combined output of 308 horsepower. Both powertrains featured an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard on the RX 350, with AWD optional, while the RX hybrid only came in AWD.

Despite its sporty appearance, the RX’s real-world performance was lackluster. The engine hummed lightly, lacking the growl of a typical V6, and acceleration felt sluggish. The F Sport Handling package included adaptive suspension and driving modes like Eco, Normal, and Sport+, but the differences between these modes were negligible. The RX excelled in ride comfort and cabin quietness, isolating road noise effectively and offering a serene driving experience.

Fuel efficiency favored the hybrid RX, with the RX 450h achieving 30 mpg combined, while the gas models ranged from 18 to 23 mpg combined, depending on configuration.

In sum, the Buick Enclave provided robust and reliable performance, while the Lexus RX focused more on comfort and fuel efficiency, especially in its hybrid variant.

The 2021 Buick Enclave stood out in its class with its large dimensions. Offering comfortable and serene accommodations for up to seven people, the Enclave’s interior was designed with space and comfort in mind. QuietTuning efforts, including Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass, ensured a calm cabin environment.

The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver seats with massaging functions, 10-way power front passenger seats, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The stylish center console provided ample storage and comfort.

The Enclave’s seven-passenger configuration came standard with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench. Despite the absence of a second-row bench seat, the SUV offered commendable third-row space. Rear cargo capacity measured 23.6 cubic feet, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxing out at an impressive 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2022 Lexus RX, in its standard two-row configuration, provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume with comfortable seating for four adults. The three-row RX 350L accommodated up to seven in a 2/3/2 layout, with optional captain’s chairs for the second row in the hybrid variant. The standard RX offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 32.6 cubic feet when folded. The RX 350L’s tighter fit allowed for only 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down.

Though the load-in height was relatively high for the RX, it included thoughtful interior features like dedicated smartphone slots, adjustable-height cup holders, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The comparison showed the Enclave offering more spacious and versatile cargo options, while the RX prioritized interior sophistication and added functional touches.

When it came to technology, the 2021 Buick Enclave met basic expectations but left room for improvement in the premium segment. The Buick Infotainment System featured an 8-inch touchscreen (largest available), responsive inputs, and voice recognition tech. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports across all rows. Upgrades offered a premium sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera.

However, the Buick lacked smart home assistant integration and high-end audio components seen in rival SUVs. The rear camera mirror stood out as a valuable feature.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen with an optional 12.3-inch variant. Ergonomic challenges were present due to the screen positioning, creating an obstructive lip. The infotainment system’s responsiveness was paired with frustrating touchpad controls, making navigation cumbersome. However, voice commands and essential functions, though requiring specific inputs, provided alternatives.

Lexus packed the RX with tech features: six USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa, dual- and tri-zone climate control, premium audio systems, and heated and ventilated seats.

Regarding technology, the RX offered a broader and more advanced suite of features but faced usability issues with its infotainment layout and control mechanisms.

In safety, the 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvements. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional, and the Driver Confidence Plus Package, with critical features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, was standard only on higher trims. Additional features like adaptive cruise control required specific packages on the Avenir trim. Despite these shortcomings, the Enclave secured a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and high marks from IIHS, minus headlight performance.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping and tracing assists, pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with GPS tracking. The RX earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick when equipped with triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

Safety-wise, the Lexus RX offered a more comprehensive suite of standard advanced safety features, bolstering its appeal to safety-conscious buyers.