2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Kia Sorento

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. The 2018 redesign pushed the Enclave further upmarket, and the 2022 mid-cycle refresh brought new exterior styling enhancements and upgraded interior materials, especially in the top-tier Avenir trim.

Inside, the 2022 Enclave featured a restyled center console with new push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching. Our test vehicle, an Enclave Avenir with the optional Technology package, showcased a deep red Rich Garnet Metallic exterior and Ebony perforated leather seats. While not quite reaching the luxury levels of the Cadillac XT6, the Avenir trim's materials and design were a cut above, providing a comfortable and visually appealing experience.

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly with the X-Line package, offered a stylish and rugged presence. The X-Line treatment included rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails. Our test vehicle, an SX Prestige X-Line, featured all-wheel drive, Wolf Gray paint, and Rust-colored leather, with a total MSRP of $45,310. The base LX trim started at $29,590, with the option to add various features and packages.

Inside, the Sorento's cabin exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim. The SX Prestige trim included a 14-way power driver's seat, 10-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Second-row captain's chairs were standard from the EX trim, with the SX Prestige X-Line adding heated seats. The third-row seat, however, was less comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was limited with all seats up. Folding the third-row seats expanded the cargo space to 38.5 cubic feet, and folding the second-row seats provided 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sorento also featured a "smart" power tailgate for added convenience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Enclave offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave was known for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The AWD-equipped test vehicle handled well on various terrains, providing a serene cabin experience thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology.

The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, with good off-the-line acceleration despite its weight. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the engine produced pleasant sounds at wide-open throttle. While not designed for off-roading, the Enclave's AWD and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road trails and wintry conditions.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered multiple powertrain options, starting with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. However, the base engine's sluggish performance led to recommendations for the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which produced 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, providing a more enjoyable driving experience. The turbocharged Sorento could accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, with a torque-vectoring AWD system available.

The Sorento's turbo engine and snappy transmission made it feel energetic, and the X-Line's raised suspension provided a blend of compliance and composure. The SUV handled well on various road conditions, with excellent body motion control and communication. The X-Line package increased ground clearance to 8.2 inches, but the suspension lift was more for show than serious off-roading. The Sorento SX Prestige X-Line's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing showed an average of around 20.7 mpg.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and windows. The standard eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control, made getting comfortable easy. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and second-row heated seats. The Enclave's spacious cabin provided ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room for passengers in all three rows. The third row was comfortable for six-footers, and the standard second-row captain's chairs made access easy.

The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with two cupholders. The flat row of buttons made accessing the USB ports and wireless phone charging pad easier. The Enclave offered ample storage space, with 23.6 cubic feet of cargo room 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 added convenience.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior often felt luxurious, though the Rust-colored leather was an odd choice. The SX Prestige trim included a 14-way power driver's seat, 10-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Second-row captain's chairs were standard from the EX trim, with the SX Prestige X-Line adding heated seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults, with limited legroom and headroom. Folding the third-row seats expanded the cargo space to 38.5 cubic feet, and folding the second-row seats provided 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sorento also featured a "smart" power tailgate for added convenience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims getting a larger, 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously, and a built-in WiFi hotspot could handle up to four devices up to 50 feet away. The system was easy to use, though some graphics looked dated. The Premium and Avenir trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, which was superior to the standard six-speaker system.

The Enclave also came with a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports, with two in each row. Other standard features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance with hitch view, a digital rear camera mirror, and HD surround vision.

Starting in 2022, the Kia Sorento's base LX trim retained an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other trims received a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base system offered wireless smartphone integration, while the 10.25-inch version required a USB cable. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the font style, graphics, and colors might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento's infotainment system was similar to Hyundai's, but the voice recognition systems in Kias were not as good.

The SX Prestige X-Line included a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system, which was not available in lower trims. Wireless smartphone charging was standard from the EX trim.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package becoming 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. Other 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, 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, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came standard with Kia Drive Wise, with varying features depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included a rear-seat reminder system with ultrasonic sensors, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor system. Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Highway Driving Assist were also available, with the latter providing Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with the highest rating for the LED headlights on the SX and SX Prestige trims. The NHTSA gave the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection and rollover resistance.