2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

Cadillac had been working hard to reclaim its status as the most refined vehicle in the General Motors lineup, and the XT5 was a testament to that effort. Updated for the 2020 model year with 40 enhancements, including a new engine option, revised styling, and advanced technology, the 2021 XT5 carried over these changes. The SUV featured a snub-nosed exterior with distinct trim levels, standard LED lights, and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated and stylish look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, especially in the Premium Luxury trim.

In contrast, Buick had traditionally favored conservative styling, but the brand had overhauled its lineup over the past 15 years, shifting from sedans to SUVs. The Enclave, introduced in 2008 and redesigned in 2018, was Buick's flagship SUV. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh with new exterior styling, including a unique grille for the Avenir trim, and updated interior features like a restyled center console and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim also boasted climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching, offering a comfortable and visually appealing cabin.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque, was available for the Premium Luxury trim and standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but was clunkier when downshifting, especially in Sport mode. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in AWD during a 2,000-mile test drive, surpassing the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6 AWD model. The base engine offered 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave came standard with FWD, with AWD available on all trims. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The Enclave handled various terrains well and offered a surprisingly responsive powertrain for its size, with good off-the-line acceleration and pleasant engine sounds.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered seating for four adults in two rows, with a three-seat bench in the second row technically allowing for five passengers. However, the back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, though legroom was good in both rows. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared for long trips. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors but with a deep rear cargo area. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone and small map pockets.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, excellent visibility, and comfortable seating with standard eight-way power driver and six-way power front passenger seats. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers in all three rows, with ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room. The third row was comfortable for six-footers, and the second-row captain's chairs made access easy. The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system and center stack with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The climate control system provided haptic feedback via hidden buttons, with a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments. The XT5 offered a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The infotainment system included a rotary controller, one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, AUX port, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and head-up display were also available.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch reconfigurable version on Premium and Avenir trims. The Essence trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as 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 and a built-in WiFi hotspot for up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, while the Essence trim had a six-speaker system. The Enclave also offered a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, Teen Driver technology, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance with hitch view, digital rear camera mirror, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. Standard features included a rear-seat reminder and a federally-mandated rearview camera. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance. General Motors' Teen Driver software was also standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Other standard safety items 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 a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.