2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave presented a refined yet understated design, reflecting Buick's shift from traditional sedans to a more SUV-focused lineup. The mid-cycle refresh brought several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and taillamps. The Avenir trim stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheels, offering a touch of elegance. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials, enhancing the overall comfort and appeal. The Avenir trim further elevated the experience with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, providing a luxurious feel without reaching the opulence of a Cadillac.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication with its bold grille and quad-lamp headlights, complemented by a stately 16-foot-long body. The Prestige trim boasted 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance. The interior continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, metal, and matte wood trim, creating a luxurious ambiance. The center console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. Despite a slightly awkward infotainment screen placement, the spacious and luxurious interior made the GV80 a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a straightforward powertrain with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, the Enclave had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Avenir Technology package further enhanced the driving experience with a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound.

The 2023 Genesis GV80, available only in all-wheel drive, offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not the quickest in its class, the GV80 excelled in highway driving, with smooth power delivery and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted to road conditions. The active noise cancellation further enhanced the serene driving experience, making it an excellent choice for long commutes.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and windows. The spacious cabin accommodated six full-size adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which was surprisingly roomy for a midsize SUV. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered generous cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a luxurious interior with heated and ventilated front and rear seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and an Ergo Motion driver's seat to reduce fatigue. While the optional third row was best suited for children, the GV80 provided ample cargo space, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. The proximity key, tri-zone climate control, and optional 21-speaker stereo system added to the luxury experience, while the panoramic glass roof and suede headliner enhanced the overall ambiance.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured 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 and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the system offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the driver to maneuver the vehicle in and out of tight spaces using the key fob. The system also included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet, ensuring devices remained charged.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trims added 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.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The GV80 featured a video feed of the car's blind spot in the digital gauge cluster, providing a clear view without neck craning. Highway Drive Assist used multiple systems to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid, though it struggled in bright sunlight. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS.