2021 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant comeback for the Buick brand, which had struggled through the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing. The Enclave, a large, American-made SUV, helped Buick regain its footing by appealing to consumer preferences for SUVs. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave ranged in price from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, giving it a premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was a bit fussy, but users quickly adapted to it.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was a sportier, more stylish version of the standard seven-passenger Atlas. By removing the third row, lowering the roofline, and shortening the length, Volkswagen created a bold and upscale appearance, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The interior was spacious, with plenty of room for five adults and generous rear legroom. However, the use of hard, glossy plastic in the interior detracted from the overall impression of quality. The Atlas Cross Sport's cargo space was reduced compared to the standard Atlas, but it still offered ample storage. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, priced at $52,495, provided a good balance of style and functionality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Enclave offered strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The V6's low torque peak contributed to its impressive performance, and the nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts. The Enclave's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, delivered a comfortable and composed ride across various driving conditions. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 21.2 mpg, allowing for a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and FWD was standard, with VW's 4Motion AWD system available. The V6 engine, which did not require premium fuel, provided a more satisfying driving experience and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, the V6's fuel economy was lower, averaging 19.2 mpg during testing. The Atlas Cross Sport's suspension struggled with urban and suburban ride quality, feeling harsh at lower speeds and too soft at higher speeds. Despite these issues, the Atlas Cross Sport excelled on the highway, offering a comfortable ride and efficient performance.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, as well as a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious and easy to access, and the cargo area provided 23.6 cubic feet of 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 folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger Atlas, resulting in a roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space, and the cargo area offered plenty of storage, despite being smaller than the standard Atlas. The Atlas Cross Sport's cargo space was sufficient for full-size suitcases and other items, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times, voice recognition, and a user-friendly interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was not as impressive as those in competing SUVs. The Enclave also offered a rear camera mirror, which provided a live video feed of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM with 360L, and wireless charging. The Car-Net connected service offered various subscription plans, including remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which provided excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking were only available with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but its Marginal headlight performance prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and post-collision braking as standard features. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and low-speed automatic braking. The SEL trim featured automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ Drive system included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, which provided advanced driver assistance. The SEL Premium R-Line trim also had a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and a 360-degree camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.