2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from 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 towards a more luxurious appeal, especially with its 2018 redesign and 2022 mid-cycle refresh. The exterior enhancements included a new grille, updated fascias, and distinctive wheel designs, particularly in the Avenir trim, which featured unique styling elements. Inside, the Enclave boasted upgraded materials, a restyled center console, and available heated, cooled, and massaging seats, elevating the comfort level significantly. The Avenir trim, while not quite reaching Cadillac's luxury, offered a refined interior with exclusive seat patterns and piping, adding visual appeal and character.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered a diverse lineup with eight models, including the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims. The King Ranch model, in particular, featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating and King Ranch branding, though it shared much of its visual identity with other Explorer models. The Explorer's design was based on a rear-drive platform, giving it a long hood and athletic appearance, complemented by a "floating roof" effect. Inside, the King Ranch trim provided a mix of quality materials, with features like massaging front seats and a 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the cabin exhibited a blend of high-quality and less impressive materials, reflecting its broad model lineup. Despite this, the Explorer maintained a robust and athletic feel, appealing to those seeking a more traditional SUV experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things straightforward with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Enclave's AWD system and premium ride suspension, part of the Avenir Technology package, ensured a comfortable and composed drive across various terrains. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Enclave offered decent capability for its class. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, on the other hand, offered three powertrain options. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and up to 24 mpg in combined driving. The Explorer also offered a hybrid drivetrain with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, delivering 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and up to 27 mpg. For those seeking more power, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine was available, generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds. The Explorer's ride was robust and capable, handling off-road terrain with ease, especially in the Timberline trim with its increased ground clearance. The King Ranch model provided a satisfying driving experience, though the hybrid powertrain offered the best balance of power and efficiency.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable interior. With easy ingress and egress, the Enclave offered excellent visibility and comfortable seating for all passengers. The eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated, were standard, with additional features like massage and heated second-row seats in higher trims. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row thanks to standard second-row captain's chairs. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, though the placement raised concerns about potential spills. The Enclave also offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, particularly in the King Ranch trim, provided a comfortable experience for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. The King Ranch model included features like triple-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and massaging front seats. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom and accessibility. The Explorer's cabin lacked practical storage solutions, though it offered built-in cupholders and a hands-free power liftgate. Cargo space measured 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.8 cubic feet with all seats folded.

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 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims also offered a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power for back-seat passengers. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and HD rear vision camera, with additional options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The King Ranch model included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the Explorer's Sync 3 system showed its age, with limited voice recognition capabilities. The King Ranch also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0. Despite its tech offerings, the Explorer's infotainment system would benefit from an upgrade to Ford's next-generation Sync 4 technology.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates to its safety features, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera were available on higher trims. The Enclave received a four-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with standard Ford Co-Pilot360 features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also included a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable functions. While the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022, the Explorer previously earned five-star ratings in most categories.