2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a shift, reflecting Buick's transition to an SUV-centric lineup. The 2022 model, particularly in the Avenir trim, featured a refreshed exterior with a new grille, updated fascias, and distinctive wheel designs. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and luxurious seating options, including heated, cooled, and massaging front seats. The Avenir trim offered unique styling elements and a higher level of comfort, making it a standout in Buick's SUV lineup.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban embraced a bold and robust design, sharing its styling cues with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. The Suburban's imposing presence was accentuated by its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered a range of customization options, with our RST test vehicle showcasing a sporty look with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with varying levels of luxury, from the economically comfortable LS trim to the plush High Country. The RST trim featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, although the predominantly black interior could feel a bit dark. Despite this, the Suburban's cabin was a comfortable and accommodating space for passengers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 with direct injection, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a smooth and quiet ride, a hallmark of Buick's reputation. The Enclave's standard front-wheel drive could be upgraded to all-wheel drive, and it boasted a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Avenir Technology package enhanced the driving experience with a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, ensuring a comfortable journey across various terrains. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. The base 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The turbodiesel engine, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, provided excellent fuel economy and towing capability. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds, and the independent rear suspension improved ride quality and cargo space. Our RST test vehicle, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, offered effortless power and acceleration, making it well-suited for towing and long-distance travel.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and windows. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably across its three rows. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which offered ample room for passengers. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission controls, and the Enclave boasted generous cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience to accessing the cargo area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, capable of seating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most configurations offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row for adults. The Suburban's cargo capacity was impressive, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with seats folded. The second-row seats could slide and fold flat, enhancing versatility. The optional power-sliding center console provided additional storage, although the Suburban's size could pose challenges in tight spaces. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls was a notable change from previous models.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch version available on higher trims. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 paired devices and included a WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims offered 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 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a wealth of technology features, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT trims and above. Google built-in, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, was also standard on these trims. The Suburban's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen on the LS and a 10.2-inch version on higher trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A WiFi hotspot was standard across all trims. The Suburban's audio system ranged from a basic six-speaker setup to a premium Bose 10-speaker system on higher trims. The Suburban also offered a range of camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Additional safety features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. 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.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban included the Chevy Safety Assist suite as standard, with features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Suburban as of this writing.