2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

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 significant shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs, aligning with market trends. The 2022 model, part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured enhanced exterior styling with a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with upgraded materials, offering heated, cooled, and massaging seats for front passengers, especially in the Avenir trim, which added unique styling elements and comfort features.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform with the Nissan Armada, yet distinguished itself with a unique front-end design featuring the Infiniti grille. The QX80's styling was both distinctive and tasteful, with LED lighting and conservative chrome use adding to its upscale appearance. The interior, while luxurious with wood trim and quilted leather seats, showed signs of aging compared to its competitors. Despite its upscale materials, the QX80's cabin design was reminiscent of the Armada, lacking the modern flair expected in the premium SUV segment. Nevertheless, the QX80 provided a comfortable and attractive environment, though it fell short of the high standards set by its rivals in terms of interior innovation and style.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with the Enclave's AWD system and premium ride suspension enhancing its handling across various terrains. The Enclave's towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds, making it versatile for family adventures. Buick's QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles. Despite its size, the Enclave offered surprisingly good acceleration, with the engine's sound adding a touch of personality to the driving experience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and linear power delivery, making the QX80 a joy to drive. The QX80's towing capacity was an impressive 8,500 pounds, suitable for larger trailers and boats. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by a 4WD system with a computer-controlled transfer case, offering settings for various terrains. The QX80's Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped manage body lean during cornering, maintaining stability despite its nearly three-ton weight.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large 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 space even for taller passengers. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless charging pad. Cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded, facilitated by power-folding third-row seats.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter, owing to its tall ride height and body-on-frame construction. The cabin was spacious, with good head- and legroom in the front seats, though the third row was cramped for adults. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with an optional second-row bench. Cargo space was less impressive, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were convenient but slow to operate, and the smaller moonroof limited the open-air feel of the cabin.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard safety tech 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, enhancing the Enclave's tech appeal.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, while based on an older design, offered a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The QX80's infotainment system included navigation with lane guidance and a Bose 13-speaker premium sound system, with a 17-speaker system available on the Sensory trim. A wireless smartphone charger was new for 2022, and the dual-screen rear entertainment system provided additional entertainment options, though the lack of HDMI adapters was a drawback. The absence of Infiniti's ProPilot Assist was notable, limiting the QX80's advanced driver-assistance capabilities.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional 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 NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was equipped with a robust set of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety items included driver attention alert and front knee airbags. The QX80 received a three-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA, with the structurally similar 2021 model earning four stars for overall crash protection. The absence of IIHS ratings for the 2022 model left some uncertainty regarding its crashworthiness.