2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its styling, which was a significant improvement over the original Encore. The SUV came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring (ST) package available for all trims. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines on offer. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with FWD, while the 1.3-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. Pricing ranged from $24,200 to $30,600, with our test model, an Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine, priced at $35,065 after options and destination charges.

Inside, the Encore GX offered expected quality levels for a small SUV, but the interior design was less impressive than the exterior. The analog gauges were hard to read, and the head-up display (HUD) vibrated on rough roads, detracting from the overall refinement. Despite these issues, the cabin was generally comfortable, though the high price tag seemed unjustified without significant discounts.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving from conservative styling to a more modern, SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, received a mid-cycle refresh for 2022, featuring new exterior styling elements and upgraded interior materials. The top-of-the-line Avenir trim level boasted unique design touches and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave's restyled center console and upgraded materials enhanced the overall luxury feel, with features like heated, cooled, and massaging front seats standard on the Avenir trim.

Our test vehicle, an Enclave Avenir with the optional Technology package, showcased the model's premium ride quality and quiet cabin, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Enclave's spacious interior comfortably accommodated passengers in all three rows, with ample cargo space behind the third row. The Enclave's design and features made it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine was available with both FWD and AWD, and our test model featured the 1.3-liter engine with FWD. The Encore GX's driving experience was described as adequate, with enough power for highway cruising but lacking refinement. The FWD models used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Encore GX's ride quality was inconsistent, feeling too brittle on poorly maintained roads and too bouncy over bumps. Despite Buick's QuietTuning efforts, the cabin was not particularly quiet. The Encore GX handled well on winding roads, but its overall performance fell short of premium expectations. Fuel economy averaged 28.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Enclave came standard with FWD, with AWD available on all trims. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds. Our AWD test vehicle, equipped with the Avenir Technology package, delivered a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping.

The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, with good off-the-line acceleration and a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave handled various terrains with ease, providing a comfortable and serene driving experience. The engine's sound was pleasantly surprising, adding a touch of personality to the otherwise quiet cabin. While we didn't take the Enclave off-road, its AWD system and ground clearance suggested it could handle light off-road trails and wintry conditions.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position and supportive front seats, though the rear seats were less comfortable. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hands-free power liftgate option was deemed unnecessary, but the fold-flat front passenger seat was a useful feature for carrying long items.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably in all three rows, with ample headroom, legroom, and cargo space. Cargo capacity ranged from 23.6 cubic feet with all seats up to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The test vehicle's power-folding third-row seats made accessing the cargo space even easier.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence featured an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle's Advanced Technology Package added navigation, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera. Wireless smartphone charging was part of the optional Convenience Package. Despite the added features, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and impressive voice recognition.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's driver information center varied by trim, with Premium and Avenir trims featuring a larger, 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously. A built-in WiFi hotspot supported up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims' 10-speaker Bose audio system was superior to the standard six-speaker system, though it could use more power. The Enclave also featured six USB ports, a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance with hitch view, a digital rear camera mirror, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Select and Essence trims, while adaptive cruise control was available. The Encore GX also featured Teen Driver technology and a Tire Fill Alert system. The adaptive cruise control's stop-and-go function required manual reactivation after a few seconds, and the distance-management settings were challenging to adjust. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's most significant updates were related to its driver-assist and safety tech. The Buick Driver Confidence Plus package became standard on all Enclaves, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Other standard safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder system, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received no false alarms during testing. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Enclave, but it received four out of five stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Enclave "Good" ratings in all but one crash test, where it received an "Acceptable" score.