2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, offering a sense of familiarity. However, this also meant it could blend in with other BMW models in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models boasted a sportier look with body-coloured trim and larger wheels, enhancing its athletic appeal. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for an overuse of black plastic. The M Sport models added unique styling elements, such as an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave represented a shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from conservative styling to embrace a more modern SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave's 2022 refresh included a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps, with the Avenir trim offering unique styling elements. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim provided additional luxury with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave's spacious interior accommodated six adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row. The cargo space was generous, with power-folding third-row seats enhancing versatility. Overall, the Enclave offered a comfortable and upscale experience, appealing to those seeking a roomy and well-appointed SUV.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were criticized for lacking the connected drive experience expected from BMW, with dynamics more akin to a Lincoln. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the plug-in hybrid was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and a total driving range of about 600 kilometres.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave handled various terrains with ease, providing a serene cabin experience with Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The powertrain was surprisingly responsive, offering good acceleration for its size, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. While not designed for off-road adventures, the Enclave's AWD and ground clearance made it capable of handling light trails and winter conditions.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, with an optional third row available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The X5 offered ample cargo space, though slightly less in the plug-in hybrid model. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out of the second row.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space and comfort, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. Standard features included power-adjustable heated front seats and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row via second-row captain's chairs. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, with a flat row of buttons allowing easy access to USB ports and the wireless phone charging pad. The Enclave offered generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience, making it easy to access the ample cargo area.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the Apple CarPlay system had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. The standard features included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The interface was user-friendly, though the graphics appeared slightly dated. The Premium and Avenir trims offered a superior 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power for back-seat passengers. Standard features included a three-month SiriusXM 360L trial, six USB ports, a following-distance indicator, and a Teen Driver technology system. Available features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision, all standard on the Avenir trim.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight or rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates in safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, rear park assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features on the Premium trim included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable score in the updated side-impact test.