2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift from Buick's traditionally conservative styling. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort and tradition. However, over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, introduced in 2008, replaced older models and quickly became a favorite among critics and consumers. A 2018 redesign pushed the Enclave further upmarket, and the 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh with new exterior styling and interior upgrades, particularly in the top-tier Avenir trim.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, maintained its rugged, iconic design, offering both two-door and four-door models. Buyers could choose from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and a plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions like the High Tide model. The High Tide edition featured a raised suspension, 35-inch tires, and a host of off-road enhancements. Despite its higher price tag, the Wrangler's interior remained basic, emphasizing durability and functionality over luxury.

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. The Enclave offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave was known for its quiet, smooth ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, providing good off-the-line acceleration and a surprisingly pleasant engine sound.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option on the High Tide. The Wrangler's Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was ideal for slippery conditions. However, the Wrangler's fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 16.8 mpg over a week of testing. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, characterized by loud cabin noise, vague steering, and a rough ride. Despite these quirks, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities and immersive driving experience made it a beloved choice for adventure enthusiasts.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, excellent visibility, and comfortable seating with power adjustments and heating. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers in all three rows, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easy, and the restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears. The Enclave provided 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 down. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a manual height adjuster for the driver's seat. Visibility varied, with some areas offering excellent views and others requiring adjustments. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry challenges but enjoyed good accommodations once inside. Storage options were limited, with netting on door panels, a small dashboard tray, and deep but narrow compartments. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims upgrading to an 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 a built-in WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims also featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Additional tech included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While the larger Uconnect 8.4 system offered more features, the basic setup met most needs. The Wrangler High Tide included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, extending the open-air driving season.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates in safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package becoming standard. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Despite these features, the Wrangler's crash-test ratings were less impressive. The NHTSA gave it a three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS rated it "Marginal" in the left front small overlap crash test and the new side-impact test. Headlight performance was rated "Poor" for standard lights and "Marginal" for LED upgrades.