2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. This model showcased a more modern and upscale appearance, with a refreshed exterior that included a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a luxurious experience with upgraded materials, a restyled center console, and features like heated, cooled, and massaging front seats. The Avenir trim further enhanced comfort with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Defender embraced a rugged, industrial design that paid homage to its heritage. Its boxy shape, square-jawed face, and steeply angled fittings gave it a classic truck appearance. The Defender's design included tasteful nods to the original 1980s model, such as dome accents and faux-metal step plates. Available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—the Defender offered versatility in seating configurations, with options for up to eight passengers. The interior focused on function and durability, featuring rubber and plastic coatings, exposed screws, and a metal dash piece. Despite its utilitarian design, the Defender maintained excellent build quality and fit.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 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 enhancing its handling across various terrains. The Enclave's towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it a capable choice for families needing to haul gear. Buick's QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8. The V8 delivered an impressive 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Defender with remarkable speed. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid system, provided 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. The Defender excelled off-road, with features like Terrain Response 2 and permanent 4WD, but its on-road performance was less refined, with noticeable body roll and wind noise. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg and the six-cylinder achieving 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. Standard features included power-adjustable heated front seats, with Premium and Avenir trims adding massage functions and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's three-row seating accommodated six adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. Cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and wireless charging.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in versatility, offering seating configurations for up to eight passengers. The Defender 90 featured a unique jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models provided optional third-row seating. The 130's third row included amenities like a separate moonroof and climate zone. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof enhanced visibility. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various off-road accessories, including a roof rack, winch, and brush bar.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with 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 and included a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Available features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display enhanced convenience and safety.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was complemented by an optional 11.4-inch display. Both screens supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with connected apps and navigation. The Defender's technology suite included heated front seats, a proximity key, and power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added features like a Meridian stereo, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. The Defender's safety tech included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera were available on higher trims. 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 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. Standard safety features included six airbags, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional safety tech included a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. The Defender lacked front knee airbags and rear side thorax airbags, which was a notable omission.