2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E 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 broader market trends. The Enclave, with its 2022 refresh, showcased a more refined exterior with a new grille, updated fascias, and distinctive wheel designs, especially in the Avenir trim. Inside, the Enclave offered a luxurious experience with upgraded materials, a restyled center console, and features like heated, cooled, and massaging seats, particularly in the Avenir model. The Enclave's interior was a blend of comfort and subtle elegance, appealing to those who appreciated a touch of luxury without the Cadillac price tag.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E embraced a bold and modern aesthetic, merging Mustang's iconic styling with the practicality of a crossover SUV. The Mach-E's design was a daring move by Ford, combining the legendary pony car's elements with an electric vehicle's futuristic appeal. The GT trim, in particular, stood out with its aggressive bumpers, unique wheels, and a dark front panel. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded a luxury feel with its sport-bolstered seats wrapped in artificial leather and synthetic suede, complemented by a high-tech ambiance created by metallic and gloss-black trim. The Mach-E successfully blended past and future, offering a visually striking and technologically advanced interior.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided a smooth and quiet ride, a hallmark of Buick's reputation for comfort. The Enclave's AWD system and premium ride suspension, part of the Avenir Technology package, ensured a comfortable drive across various terrains. Despite its size and weight, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration and a surprisingly engaging driving experience, enhanced by Buick's QuietTuning technology, which minimized road noise and added to the vehicle's serene cabin environment.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, particularly in the GT trim, offered a thrilling performance with its extended-range battery and AWD system. The GT's electric motors produced 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The Mach-E GT's driving dynamics were impressive, with various driving modes like Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, each altering the vehicle's behavior and responsiveness. The GT Performance Edition further enhanced the driving experience with increased torque, adaptive damping suspension, and larger brakes. Despite its firm suspension, the Mach-E GT delivered an exciting and efficient drive, achieving 2.7 miles per kilowatt-hour during testing.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating up to seven passengers with ease. Its large windshield and windows provided excellent visibility, while the power-adjustable front seats ensured comfort for the driver and passenger. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, with ample headroom and legroom across all three rows, making it suitable for long journeys. The SUV also boasted significant cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience, making it easy to access the generous cargo area.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV design, offered seating for five and a functional interior. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, wrapped in premium materials for comfort and support. The Mach-E's rear seats provided adequate space for passengers, and the panoramic glass roof added to the cabin's airy feel. Cargo space was ample, with 29.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Mach-E also featured a 4.7 cubic-foot frunk, designed for easy cleaning with a drain plug, enhancing its practicality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a superior 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's technology suite included a WiFi hotspot, multiple USB ports, and advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display. The system was intuitive, though some graphics appeared dated, and the audio system could have used more power for back-seat passengers.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E boasted a 15.5-inch touchscreen running Ford's Sync 4A platform, offering wireless smartphone integration, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. The system was intuitive, with natural voice recognition and over-the-air updates. The Mach-E's technology included a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a digital instrumentation display, and Phone As A Key technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access. While the infotainment screen's integration could be improved, the system's functionality and user experience were top-notch.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The Enclave received high safety ratings, with the IIHS awarding it "Good" ratings in most crash tests. However, the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings at the time of review.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 and BlueCruise hands-free driving system. BlueCruise 1.2 added lane-change and predictive speed assist functions, enhancing its performance. The Mach-E received top safety marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022. However, the NHTSA had not finalized all crash-test ratings for the 2023 model.