2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles. Once a brand known for its grandeur, Buick had faced a decline during the Malaise Era, but the Enclave helped restore its reputation. As the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, the Enclave offered a blend of American-made luxury and modern SUV appeal. It was available in four trims: Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, with prices ranging from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Enclave's design was striking, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet luxurious interior with soft leather and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was initially fussy, but users quickly adapted to it.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and a redesigned front end. While the new grille design was reminiscent of an Audi, it didn't quite match the elegance of its predecessor. However, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation theme for instrumentation and infotainment displays added a celestial touch to the cabin. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with trims including Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. Prices started at $78,405, with the Black Label trim reaching $106,530. The Navigator's interior was spacious and comfortable, with heated, ventilated, and massaging seats in both the front and second rows, making it a luxurious choice for long journeys.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave's ride was smooth, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially when equipped with the Avenir Technology Package. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the Enclave's handling was impressive for its size. Fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology enhanced the ride quality, while the new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel. The Navigator excelled in various driving conditions, including snow and mud, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 18.6 mpg during evaluation.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, featuring Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's interior was well-organized, with a stylish center console and ample storage space. The third-row seat was spacious, and the cargo area offered 23.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its spacious and luxurious interior. The front seats were 30-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and massaging, ensuring maximum comfort. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a premium experience for rear passengers. The third-row seat was roomy and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo capacity.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with a responsive interface, voice recognition, and features like 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's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was not as impressive as competitors' offerings. The Enclave also lacked integration with smart home digital assistants. A notable feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of the rear.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system was user-friendly, supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and allowed for extensive customization through user profiles. The voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The Navigator also featured an upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, offering access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system provided an exceptional listening experience.

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, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced emergency braking was exclusive to the Avenir trim with the Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. ActiveGlide was a semi-autonomous, hands-free driving technology for approved highways. The Navigator's safety features worked well, though ActiveGlide required driver attention. The SUV's surround-view camera system was newly standard, enhancing safety during parking and maneuvering.