2023 Mazda CX-5 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 exterior enhancements such as 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 refined cabin with upgraded materials and a restyled center console featuring push-button gears. The Avenir trim further elevated the experience with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, providing a comfortable and luxurious ride.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 continued to impress with its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the feel of a small luxury SUV. Despite its age, the CX-5 maintained a sophisticated appearance, appealing to those who valued aesthetics and refinement. The available turbocharged engine added to its allure, delivering impressive power. However, the CX-5's interior space was more limited, with a smaller back seat and cargo area compared to some competitors. The infotainment system, while visually appealing, was criticized for its lack of user-friendly features, such as a conversational voice recognition system, which detracted from the overall experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for a vehicle of its size. The Enclave offered a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, especially in the Avenir trim with the optional Technology package. The SUV's AWD system and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road conditions, although it was primarily designed for on-road comfort and performance.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine choices. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The more enticing option was the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which produced up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive acceleration and a sporty feel. The CX-5's suspension and structural updates enhanced its handling, making it a joy to drive on winding roads. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable interior. With its large dimensions, the Enclave offered generous headroom, legroom, and shoulder room for passengers in all three rows. The third row was surprisingly accommodating for adults, making it suitable for long journeys. The second-row captain's chairs added convenience and versatility, allowing easy access to the rear seats. The Enclave also boasted impressive cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The restyled center console and push-button transmission gears added a modern touch to the interior.

In comparison, the 2023 Mazda CX-5's interior was more compact, with limited rear-seat and cargo space. While the front seats were comfortable and supportive, the back seat felt cramped for taller passengers. The cargo area offered 30.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite its smaller size, the CX-5 featured high-quality materials and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery in the Signature trim. However, the lack of intuitive technology and limited storage options detracted from its overall practicality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system allowed for easy pairing of multiple devices and included a built-in WiFi hotspot. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system, enhancing the entertainment experience. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, providing peace of mind for drivers.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system received criticism for its lack of user-friendly features. The 10.25-inch display looked appealing, but the physical controls on the center console were awkward to use and required memorization. The system's control knob often required multiple steps to execute commands, making it less intuitive than a touchscreen. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-5 offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. The Signature trim included a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the overall technology package.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant updates to its safety features, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. The Enclave also featured a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder, and HD reversing camera. While the NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 model, the Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with the i-Activsense suite of driver assistance features standard across most trims. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim added exclusive features like a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5's safety systems operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display providing visual alerts. The SUV also included an E911 system for automatic collision notification. The CX-5 received top marks from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings in all assessments and a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick rating for 2023.