2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically known for its softer lines and functional interiors, Buick had shifted its focus to SUVs, reflecting the broader market trend. The Enclave, with its mid-cycle refresh, showcased several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, which elevated its presence. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled center console and upgraded materials, with the Avenir trim providing a touch of luxury through unique seat stitching and climate-controlled front seats. The Enclave's design was a blend of comfort and subtle elegance, appealing to those who valued a premium yet understated aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication that was unmistakably Range Rover. Its design was a masterclass in scaling the iconic Range Rover profile into a sleek, sporty package. The Velar's exterior was characterized by its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature grille, all contributing to its striking appearance. The interior, while not as opulent as previous models, still maintained high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's design was both a visual delight and a statement of wealth and taste, appealing to those who prioritized style and brand cachet.

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 ensuring a comfortable journey across various terrains. The Enclave's towing capacity of 5,000 pounds added to its versatility, while its QuietTuning technology and active noise cancellation created a serene cabin environment. Despite its size, the Enclave offered surprisingly good acceleration, making it a capable performer in its class.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, sharing its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offered a dynamic driving experience with its lower center of gravity and lighter weight. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride, while the Terrain Response system offered six driving modes for various conditions. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivered up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, offering high performance and reduced emissions. However, the Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin accommodated six full-size adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The restyled center console and push-button transmission gears added to the Enclave's functionality, although the placement of the electronic shifter components raised concerns about potential spills.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while visually stunning, sacrificed interior space for style. The cabin was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, highlighted a trend of prioritizing aesthetics over practicality. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the user experience with a simplified layout and faster response times.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims offering an 8-inch reconfigurable version. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with navigation available on higher trims. The Enclave's infotainment system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although some passengers desired more power. The Enclave also offered a range of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system exceeded expectations with its reliability and user-friendly interface. The system featured a logical arrangement of icons and customizable home screen tiles, with a voice assistant activated by "Hey Land Rover." Additional features included a PM2.5 air filter, heated windshield, and advanced navigation capabilities. The Velar's instrument panel offered full-width maps and reconfigurable displays, although the driving assist display lacked detail compared to competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's safety features were significantly enhanced for 2022, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard across all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. 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 the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. safety agencies, but a European-spec 2017 Velar scored five stars in the Euro NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.