2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional styling, which closely resembled many other compact crossovers in the market. While it featured a few distinguishing elements like its grille and some chromed plastic accents, the overall design was not a major selling point. The CR-V was available in eight colors, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with more vibrant options like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic reserved for higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and options for black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more refined and upscale design, reflecting Buick's shift towards a more SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave's mid-cycle refresh included new exterior styling elements such as a redesigned grille, updated fascias, and new wheel designs. The Avenir trim featured unique styling touches, including body-colored lowers and exclusive wheel designs. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials, enhancing its premium feel. The Avenir trim further elevated the interior with climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching, offering a more luxurious experience compared to the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, excluding the hybrid versions. It delivered smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 60 mph in approximately 7.8 seconds. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive with other crossover SUVs. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided a consistent driving experience but lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided responsive acceleration, even with the Enclave's substantial weight. The Enclave's ride quality was enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. This setup allowed the Enclave to handle various terrains smoothly, from highways to city streets. The Enclave also featured Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology, creating a serene cabin environment. With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Enclave offered versatility for those needing to haul additional loads.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's cargo area could be accessed via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free version on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the Touring trim, limiting options for carrying additional gear on the roof.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating up to six adults comfortably across its three rows. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs facilitated easy access to the third row, which offered ample space even for taller passengers. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless phone charging pad. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience for accessing the cargo area.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim featured a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim boasting a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful in the CR-V, with USB ports and a wireless phone charger available on higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot for connectivity. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. The Avenir trim offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included standard safety features such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

For 2022, the Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety by standardizing the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package across all trims. This package included features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional safety features were available on higher trims, such as enhanced automatic emergency braking and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests.