2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive front end, slim-cut windows, and 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty, memorable look. The Blazer's design was a departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more exciting and stylish vehicle. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with low-rent materials and an overall dark, unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave took a more conservative approach to styling but still managed to impress with its mid-cycle refresh. The Enclave featured a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. Inside, the Enclave offered a more luxurious experience with upgraded materials, a restyled center console, and available heated, cooled, and massaging seats. The Avenir trim level added unique design elements and further enhanced comfort, making the Enclave's interior a cut above many competitors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options, all paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.5-liter inline-four engine, available on the L and 1LT trims, was underpowered with 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, standard on the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims, provided a more acceptable 227 hp and 258 lb-ft. However, the preferred engine was the 3.6-liter V6, delivering 308 hp and 270 lb-ft, especially on the RS trim, which included a sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle. Despite its sporty chassis, the Blazer's transmission calibration had issues, particularly in Sport mode, where it was slow to respond and lacked paddle shifters. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was average at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Enclave offered a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping, especially with the optional Avenir Technology package. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good off-the-line acceleration despite its weight. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the engine's sound was pleasantly surprising. The Enclave's AWD system and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road trails and wintry conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. Its low roof height was offset by seats mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to its design, though large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view camera helped. Cargo space was decent, with 64 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet with them raised. The Blazer's trailering package allowed it to tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 and AWD configuration. Interior controls were user-friendly, and features like the hands-free power tailgate and automatic heated steering wheel added convenience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort and space. Ingress and egress were effortless, and visibility was excellent. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row thanks to standard second-row captain's chairs. The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears, though their placement raised concerns about potential spills. Cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a massive 97.4 cubic feet with both rows down. Power-folding third-row seats added to the Enclave's convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim with the Driver Confidence II package added wireless phone charging, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The infotainment system offered navigation, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Driver assists were standard on most trims, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch reconfigurable version on Premium and Avenir trims. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims also featured a superior 10-speaker Bose audio system. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer scored an overall five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all crash tests, except for "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. Standard safety features included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional features on the Premium trim included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received four out of five stars for rollover resistance from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all but one IIHS crash test.