2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied the Audi design language while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width with horizontal elements. The body showcased crisp character lines, and the rear was marked by bold, large taillights. The Q5 exuded a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in hybrid version, with S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, stood out even more, offering standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern aesthetic, packed with technology yet uncluttered. Controls were smartly grouped by function, and the design unity was pleasing. High-quality materials, including real wood and metal, were used throughout, with crisp lines where materials met. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was positioned for optimal driver visibility. The second row was well-appointed, featuring standard leather upholstery, ensuring a comfortable ride for all passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave had evolved from Buick's traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. The Enclave's exterior received a mid-cycle refresh with a new grille, fascias, headlamps, taillamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim level featured unique styling elements, including a distinctive grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a split sunroof, enhancing comfort and luxury.

The Enclave's interior was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably across its three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated easy access to the third row, which offered ample space even for taller passengers. The centre console's push-button transmission gears allowed for easy access to USB ports and the wireless charging pad. The Enclave provided generous cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats for added convenience.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV enhanced the driving experience with an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque from its 14.1-kWh battery, resulting in a total combined output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup, paired with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, delivered impressive acceleration, reaching 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The Q5 PHEV offered fuel efficiency of 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 km combined, with a gasoline-only rating of 8.8 litres per 100 km. The battery could be recharged overnight or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro AWD, offering various driving modes for battery power management. Its handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. AWD was standard in Canada, and the Enclave had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kg. The Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave handled various terrains with ease, thanks to its suspension upgrades and Buick's QuietTuning technology. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The Enclave's powertrain delivered a surprisingly engaging driving experience, with pleasant engine sounds at wide-open throttle.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered a well-balanced interior space, with 710 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,503 litres with the second row folded. The second row provided reasonable legroom (960 mm), headroom (958 mm), and shoulder room (1,435 mm), accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with heating and optional ventilation. The interior featured smartly laid-out storage options, including cupholders and a centre-console storage bin.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, offering easy ingress and egress, excellent visibility, and comfortable seating for six adults. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the spacious third row. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, allowing easy access to USB ports and the wireless charging pad. The Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and 2,758 litres with both rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. The system offered three customizable views and was paired with a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto were included, enhancing connectivity and entertainment options.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system supported pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Enclave's audio system varied by trim, with the Premium and Avenir trims featuring a 10-speaker Bose system. The Enclave also included a three-month SiriusXM 360L trial and six USB ports. Advanced features like adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline model received top "good" ratings in most categories. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, ABS with brake assist, electronic stability control, and various driver-assistance features like Audi Pre Sense front and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant safety updates, 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 trim added enhanced features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The NHTSA gave the Enclave a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crash tests.