2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic that valued comfort over cutting-edge aesthetics. However, the Enclave marked a significant shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs in response to market trends. The 2022 model, particularly in the Avenir trim, showcased a refreshed exterior with a new grille, updated fascias, and distinctive wheel designs, elevating its presence. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled center console, premium materials, and advanced comfort features like climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, enhancing its appeal as a near-luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade embraced a bold and commanding design, further amplified by its 2023 styling updates. The new front fascia, with its squared-off grille and LED lighting, gave the Palisade a more assertive look. The Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille, while the new XRT trim added rugged elements like a dark grille and black 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Palisade's cabin was both stylish and functional, featuring premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened the interior. The Palisade's seating configurations offered flexibility, with second-row captain's chairs in higher trims and a bench option for lower trims, accommodating up to eight passengers comfortably.

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 enhancing its capability on various terrains. The Enclave's ride quality was further improved by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, ensuring a serene and comfortable journey. Despite its size and weight, the Enclave offered surprisingly good acceleration, and its QuietTuning technology minimized cabin noise, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade's powertrain was competitive within its class, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. The AWD system, available as an option, demonstrated its capability on a muddy off-road course, while the dedicated Tow Mode optimized gear shifting for towing up to 5,000 pounds. The Palisade's fuel economy was respectable, with FWD models achieving 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, and AWD models slightly lower at 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress thanks to its large doors and ample visibility. The cabin provided generous headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows, accommodating six adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which was surprisingly roomy for taller passengers. The Enclave's cargo space was impressive, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade also excelled in interior space, seating seven or eight passengers comfortably. It offered 44.1 inches of front legroom, 42.4 inches in the second row, and 31.4 inches in the third, surpassing some competitors. The Palisade's cargo capacity was slightly less than the Enclave's, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The hands-free smart liftgate, standard on all but the base trim, added convenience. The Palisade's interior was thoughtfully designed, with HVAC vents in all rows and a well-organized center console.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 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 paired devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot for up to four devices. Safety and convenience features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and Teen Driver technology, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade raised the bar with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available in higher trims. The Palisade introduced WiFi hotspot capability and Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system, allowing remote access and management via an app. The Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with Apple and Samsung devices, provided keyless entry and start, while the in-car intercom and rear-seat quiet mode enhanced passenger communication and comfort.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trims added enhanced emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade built on its predecessor's safety accolades, with the Smart Sense suite standard on all trims. This included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance. The Palisade also featured navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and Highway Driving Assist, with advanced functions in higher trims. The addition of second-row side-impact airbags and a full-display digital rearview mirror further enhanced safety.