2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift for Buick, which had traditionally favored conservative styling and functional interiors. Over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, introduced in 2008, replaced older models and quickly became a hit, helping to rejuvenate the brand. The 2018 redesign pushed the Enclave further upmarket, and the 2022 mid-cycle refresh brought new exterior styling enhancements and interior upgrades, particularly in the top-of-the-line Avenir trim.

Inside, the 2022 Enclave featured a restyled center console with new push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching. The test vehicle, an Enclave Avenir with the optional Technology package, showcased a deep red Rich Garnet Metallic exterior and Ebony perforated leather seats. While not quite reaching the luxury levels of the Cadillac XT6, the Enclave's materials and comfort features were impressive, especially the Avenir-exclusive seat design and massaging front seats.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that was easy to miss unless viewed up close. The new grille featured Mercedes star logos, and the headlights and taillights were slightly updated. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights were available. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, looked particularly striking. Mercedes offered a range of wheel designs and exterior colors, allowing for customization.

Inside, the GLE 450e exuded class and luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery and natural grain brown walnut trim. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room for adults in both the first and second rows. The GLE offered a range of interior color choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality and robust-looking cabin. The test vehicle included features from the Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels, such as a Burmester surround-sound audio system, massaging front seats, and a head-up display, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave was known for its quiet and smooth ride, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Avenir Technology package added a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping, enhancing the driving experience.

Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, with good off-the-line acceleration and a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave handled well on various terrains, from highways to inner-city roads, and provided a serene cabin environment. While not designed for off-roading, the Enclave's AWD and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road trails and wintry conditions.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains to suit different preferences and budgets. The lineup included the GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 450e, and GLE 580, with two additional AMG models: the AMG GLE 53 and AMG GLE 63 S. Engine options ranged from turbocharged four- and six-cylinders to a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE 450e, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, delivered a combined output of 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, providing swift acceleration and impressive performance.

The GLE 450e's nine-speed automatic transmission and seamless transition between gas and electric power contributed to a smooth and responsive driving experience. The estimated electric-only driving range was around 40 miles, and the GLE 450e could operate as an EV at highway speeds up to 87 mph. The suspension was supple and capable, absorbing bumps and ruts with ease, even on 21-inch alloy wheels. The GLE's sophisticated steering made it feel maneuverable despite its size, and the AMG models offered even quicker reflexes for those seeking a sportier drive.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and windows. The standard eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated, provided comfort, while Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably in all three rows, with ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room. The second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easy, and the seats flipped and folded for added versatility.

The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The test vehicle's power-folding third-row seats made accessing the cargo space even easier.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided plenty of space and comfort for adults in both the first and second rows. The GLE 450e's light beige upholstery contributed to a light and airy cabin feel, and outward visibility was excellent. The GLE offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row, comparable to rivals like the BMW X5 but slightly less than the Cadillac XT6 and Volvo XC90. The optional third-row seat was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450 and was best suited for young children.

The GLE 450e came with a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a power tilt/sliding sunroof, and a power liftgate. The test vehicle included features from the Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels, such as a Burmester surround-sound audio system, massaging front seats, and a head-up display. Additional standalone options included a panoramic power tilt and sliding sunroof, illuminated running boards, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims getting a larger 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim came with 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. The infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously, and a built-in WiFi hotspot supported up to four devices up to 50 feet away.

The Enclave's six-speaker audio system in the Essence trim was adequate, but the 10-speaker Bose system in Premium and Avenir trims was superior. The Enclave also came with a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports, with charging and data ports in the front row and charging-only ports in the second and third rows. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance with hitch view, a digital rear camera mirror, and HD surround vision.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main infotainment screen. The system could be controlled via touch commands, a control pad on the center console, or touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved "Hey Mercedes" voice command system.

The head-up instrument display and augmented reality navigation provided clear and convenient directions. The GLE 450e's infotainment system was feature-rich, with a learning curve to understand all its capabilities. The test vehicle included features from the Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels, such as a Burmester surround-sound audio system, massaging front seats, and a head-up display. The system was generally easy to operate, though the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel could be overly sensitive.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech for 2022. The Buick Driver Confidence Plus package became standard on all Enclaves, including features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Other standard safety items included a Safety Alert driver's seat, a rear-seat reminder system, and an HD reversing camera.

Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received no false alarms during testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Enclave, but it received four out of five stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Enclave "Good" ratings in all but one crash test, where it received an "Acceptable" score.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a comprehensive lineup of active safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package, costing $1,950, added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist.

These features were unobtrusive during everyday driving and provided an extra layer of safety. The systems did not over-react to sudden braking or imperfect lane markings, making them reliable and effective.