2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX carried forward the brand's signature design elements, offering three versions: NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and NX 300h hybrid. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models featured sharp design lines, power-folding outside mirrors, and standard 17-inch wheels. The F Sport variant added a sportier touch with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport models boasted quilted NuLuxe sport seats and an optional Circuit Red interior color scheme. The interior's material fit and finish were excellent, though the gauge cluster and center stack design felt somewhat dated.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave underwent a significant mid-cycle refresh, enhancing its exterior with a new grille, front and rear fascias, and updated headlamps and taillamps. The top-tier Avenir trim featured unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave received a restyled center console with new push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave's interior materials and design were a cut above, providing a comfortable and visually appealing cabin.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but lagged behind competitors with more advanced transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with a relatively quiet ride except under hard acceleration. The F Sport models featured Active Sound Control, enhancing the engine note electronically. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The AWD model had similar figures, with a slight drop in combined mpg to 24. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured 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 offered smooth and responsive performance. The Enclave's AWD system and premium ride suspension, part of the Avenir Technology package, provided a comfortable and composed ride across various terrains. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds. Despite its size, the Enclave's acceleration was impressive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The Enclave's cabin remained quiet, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered a comfortable and upscale interior, with spacious front seats and adequate legroom in the second row. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats featured a 60/40 split-folding design. However, the NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The NX's power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available options.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space and comfort, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The Enclave's cabin accommodated passengers in all three rows comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room. The second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easy, and the seats flipped and folded for added versatility. The Enclave's restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. 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 were available.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HomeLink. The Navigation package added Lexus Enform Destination Assist, providing in-car personal concierge services. The NX's infotainment system was not user-friendly, with functions buried deep in menus and reliance on a touchpad. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system was standard, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker system available.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard 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 system's interface was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. The Enclave's standard six-speaker audio system was adequate, while the 10-speaker Bose system in Premium and Avenir trims offered superior performance. The Enclave also featured a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional safety features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Lexus backed the NX with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, 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. Additional 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, a 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.