2021 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to the brand's glory days with its impressive size and American-made craftsmanship. After a period of decline, Buick found its footing by offering globally sourced vehicles, but it was the Enclave that truly connected the brand to its past. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, the Enclave stood out with its premium styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and luxurious leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple, save for the electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetic size and distinct styling. The massive grille, LED lights, and towering taillights emphasized its bulk, setting it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the latter featuring bright exterior trim. Built on a body-on-frame architecture shared with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade's interior was luxurious but lacked a cohesive design theme. While it offered leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, some materials appeared cheap. Despite this, the Escalade's interior was spacious, with ample legroom and cargo space, making it a practical choice for those needing a large luxury SUV.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the Essence grade in Canada, while all-wheel drive was available on higher trims. The Enclave's V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and its low torque peak contributed to a smooth driving experience. The SUV's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The Enclave's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, offered a premium-tuned ride with continuously variable damping, making it suitable for various driving conditions. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it effective for various driving situations. The Escalade's towing capacity was 3,629 kilograms with the gasoline engine, slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator. However, the Escalade's ride was less refined, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to an unsettled ride. The Escalade lacked off-road capabilities compared to some of its GM cousins.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious seating for six or seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's interior was practical, with a stylish centre console and ample storage space. The third-row seat was genuinely useful, and the cargo space was commendable, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a cavernous cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with standard second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres with all seats in place and up to 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the front seats, while adjustable, felt similar to those in other GM vehicles. Cadillac did include useful features like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times, voice recognition, and a user-friendly interface. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system fell short compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what's behind the vehicle, which was a useful feature.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured an elaborate 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens. It included a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. While the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, the Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system. The Escalade also offered advanced tech features like a head-up display, night vision, and an augmented-reality navigation system. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, however, was challenging to tune properly.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited to higher trim levels. In Canada, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was available on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Enclave lacked advanced driver assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The NHTSA gave the Enclave a five-star overall rating, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available as an option, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. While the Escalade could avoid some crashes, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model year.