2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, inspired by the larger Blazer midsize crossover SUV, was a stylish subcompact vehicle. It featured dark gray plastic trim around its lower perimeter, triple front lights similar to the Hyundai Kona, and two-tone paint schemes reminiscent of the Kia Soul. Our test vehicle, with Activ trim, had a rugged appearance, including front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, sport terrain tires, a larger grille, and standard two-tone paint. The interior design was excellent, with a well-laid-out control system, useful storage, and attractive detailing. However, the presence of hard shiny plastic inside was less justifiable at higher price points.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, historically known for its conservative styling, had undergone a significant transformation over the past 15 years. The Enclave, a three-row crossover SUV, debuted in 2008 and received a redesign in 2018, moving it further upmarket. For 2022, the Enclave received a mid-cycle refresh with several exterior styling enhancements, including a new grille, front and rear fascias, headlamps, taillamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim level featured unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and available heated, cooled, and massaging seats for front passengers. The Avenir trim also included standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base engine was a turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The more powerful option was a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, available with a 9-speed automatic transmission when equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The Trailblazer's powertrain was agreeable, with torque kicking in at a low 1,600 rpm. The 9-speed automatic provided smooth gear changes, and Sport mode enhanced responsiveness. However, the Trailblazer struggled with acceleration on tight curves and uphill sections. It averaged 26.6 mpg in fuel economy, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg. The Trailblazer exhibited quirks in its driving dynamics, including transmission hesitation and disconnected steering feel. Suspension impact harshness was an issue, especially over sharp bumps and holes. The Trailblazer Activ was best suited for gravel roads rather than off-roading. Interior noise levels were high, making the Buick Encore GX a quieter alternative.

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 front-wheel drive (FWD), with AWD available on all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The AWD-equipped test vehicle handled well on various terrains, offering a serene cabin experience with Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The powertrain was responsive, with good off-the-line acceleration despite the vehicle's weight. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the engine produced pleasant sounds at wide-open throttle. While the Enclave was not designed for off-roading, it could handle light trails and wintry conditions with its AWD and 7.5 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered cloth seats only in the L and LS trims, limiting options for those who preferred cloth but wanted the more powerful engine or AWD. The leatherette seats were comfortable but tended to trap sweat, and the automatic climate control system struggled to keep the cabin cool. The front seats provided good support, but the rear seats were less comfortable, with a flat cushion and an oddly reclined backrest. The lack of rear air conditioning vents added to the discomfort. The Trailblazer's cargo space was practical, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The front passenger seat also folded down, providing 8.5 feet of cargo-toting length.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and window openings. The Enclave's seats were comfortable, with standard eight-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way power adjustment for the front passenger. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, with ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room for passengers in all three rows. The third row was comfortable for adults, and the second-row captain's chairs made access easy. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, which could be a concern if spills occurred. The Enclave offered generous cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Teen Driver technology, and Chevrolet Connected Access services with a WiFi hotspot. The upgraded system, available for Activ and RS trims, featured an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and cloud-connected vehicle personalization functions. The Trailblazer also offered USB-A and USB-C charging ports, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical controls for power, volume, tuning, and navigation. The Bose sound system effectively drowned out road noise and wind.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims getting 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 up to 50 feet away. The system was easy to use, though some graphics appeared dated. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, which was superior to the standard six-speaker system but could use more power. The Enclave also included a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports, with charging and data ports in the front row and charging-only ports in the second and third rows. Additional features included 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 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 10 airbags and Chevy Safety Assist, which encompassed forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and a subscription-based automatic collision notification service. Depending on the trim level, buyers could opt for a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assistance, a high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system occasionally issued false alarms, and the adaptive cruise control was both over- and under-reactive. The lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist system were inconsistent. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant updates 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 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 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 experienced 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.