2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Buick Enclave took a significant leap in redefining its aesthetic. Over the past 15 years, the brand pivoted from its traditional, conservative styling to a more modern and appealing lineup exclusively featuring SUVs. This shift saw the elimination of their sedan-heavy portfolio, aligning with the cultural migration towards SUVs in the U.S. When the Enclave first appeared in 2008, it replaced the outmoded Rendezvous and Rainier SUVs and the Terraza minivan, earning accolades from critics and consumers. The 2022 mid-cycle refresh furthered this evolution with enhancements like a new grille, redesigned front and rear fascias, updated headlamps, taillamps, and new wheel designs. Particularly, the Avenir trim boasted exclusive features like unique front and rear fascias, body-colored lowers, and 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the 2022 Enclave saw upgrades in material quality and a redesigned center console featuring new push-button gears. The Avenir trim came equipped with heated, cooled, and massaging seats for the front passengers, while heated second-row captain’s chairs and unique trim and seat stitching add a layer of luxury. Our Avenir test model, with Ebony perforated leather and Ebony accents, was both aesthetically pleasing and functionally comfortable. The combination of high-quality materials and design tweaks made the Enclave a standout in its segment. Although it didn’t quite reach the heights of a Cadillac XT6, it was certainly a cut above most in its class.

Contrastingly, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport adopted a sportier and more aggressive stance. This was achieved by eliminating the third row from the standard seven-passenger Atlas model, dropping the roofline by 2.3 inches, and trimming the vehicle’s length by 5.2 inches. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, particularly emphasized a bold and upscale appearance. However, not all wheel choices were as appealing. While the base SE trim’s 18-inch alloy wheels seemed disproportionate to the vehicle’s size, the SEL R-Line Black’s black wheels were a standout. The varying wheel sizes and design elements played a pivotal role in affecting the overall aesthetic.

Color-wise, the test model's Pure Gray exterior paired with a Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior looked fantastic, exuding an upscale vibe. However, the interior's hard, glossy plastic materials somewhat detracted from the perceived quality, causing potential rattling and scraping noises during drives. Despite these drawbacks, the overall vibe of the Atlas Cross Sport leaned heavily into a sporty and upscale look that many consumers found appealing.

Under the hood, the 2022 Buick Enclave offered a straightforward powertrain choice. The sole engine available was a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Enclave boasted a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The ride quality was exceptional, aided by the Avenir Technology package's premium suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave effectively absorbed interstate miles, two-lane country roads, and urban potholes, promising a smooth, quiet ride courtesy of the QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technologies.

The powertrain was notably responsive, providing surprisingly good off-the-line acceleration despite the vehicle's weight of over 4,300 pounds. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and even at wide-open throttle, the engine produced an unexpectedly pleasant sound. With 7.5 inches of ground clearance, the AWD version was competent on light off-road trails, adding to its versatility.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but it required premium fuel. Those seeking better performance might opt for the available 3.6-liter V6, producing 276 horsepower and matching the Enclave's 266 pound-feet of torque. Though this V6 offered a more satisfying drive and a towing capacity equal to the Enclave at 5,000 pounds, its fuel economy was slightly lower at 20 mpg combined compared to the turbo-four.

Both engine options came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an optional 4Motion AWD system, offering various driving modes like Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad. However, our V6-powered SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle demonstrated a lack of refinement in the drivetrain and only managed 19.2 mpg during our test loop. The suspension, especially with the 21-inch wheels, affected the ride quality, transferring impact harshness at lower speeds and feeling overly compliant at higher speeds.

Overall, while the Atlas Cross Sport excelled on the highway, it encountered issues in urban settings and didn't achieve the level of smoothness and quietness seen in the Enclave.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in terms of interior space and comfort. Entry and exit were effortless, and the large windows provided excellent visibility. Standard across all trims were power-adjustable front seats, while Premium and Avenir trims added four-way lumbar support with massage for the front seats and heated second-row seats. The Enclave offered ample room in all three rows, accommodating up to six full-size adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated easy access to the third row, though folding and flipping the seats required some familiarity with the levers.

The Enclave’s cargo space was noteworthy. With all seats up, it provided 23.6 cubic feet of space, enough for a set of three rolling suitcases. Folding the third row opened up 57.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, the maximum cargo space expanded to a generous 97.4 cubic feet. Our test model also featured power-folding third-row seats, simplifying the rear's versatility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport also impressed with its spacious interior, benefiting from the same wheelbase and track width as its seven-passenger counterpart. It easily accommodated five adults, with families of four particularly appreciating the ample rear legroom. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated, heated rear outboard seats, and a heated steering wheel. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of space, while sunshades prevented sunlight glare.

Storage solutions were abundant, though many lacked the lining found in other VW models, causing potential for items to rattle or scrape. The Atlas Cross Sport’s cargo area was also commodious, though slightly reduced compared to the seven-passenger Atlas. Cargo space behind its second row measured 40.3 cubic feet, expandable to 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not matching the Enclave's space, it was still significant.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided a well-rounded tech package. The driver's seat included a 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims upgrading to an 8-inch reconfigurable version. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard, while higher trims added navigation. The system could pair up to 10 devices with two active smartphones simultaneously, and the built-in WiFi hotspot supported up to four devices within 50 feet of the vehicle. The test vehicle's tech package included an advanced Bose 10-speaker audio system, SiriusXM 360L, and a range of driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit as standard, with an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base SE trim. Other trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit with various themes and data views, and an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing display, wireless phone charging, and additional USB ports. The infotainment system supported Car-Net connected service plans, providing services like remote-start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot.

The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle also included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, highly praised for its quality. However, the user experience with the touchscreen and physical controls could be frustrating, suggesting that using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto might be the best option for a smooth experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave enhanced its safety features by making the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Premium and Avenir trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a similar suite of safety features. All models came with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and the IQ Drive system, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line added a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and a 360-degree surround-view camera.

Both vehicles had favorable crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, though neither achieved the highest accolades.