2022 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles, embodying a blend of American-made grandeur and modern SUV appeal. It stood as the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, with a design that harkened back to the brand's glory days while catering to contemporary consumer preferences. The Enclave's exterior was marked by its impressive size and premium styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a distinctive grille, polished 20-inch wheels, and additional brightwork. Inside, the Enclave Avenir offered a luxurious experience with its minimalist design, soft leather upholstery, and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple yet elegant, with the only complexity being the electronic transmission shifter, which users quickly adapted to.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant updates, including a refreshed exterior with a new grille, headlights, and bumpers, as well as redesigned wheels. The Expedition was available in various trims, including the off-road-focused Timberline and the sporty Stealth Edition. Inside, the Expedition boasted a redesigned dashboard with the latest Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a large touchscreen display and digital instrumentation. The Limited Stealth Edition featured leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and a spacious cabin with ample storage. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly easy to park, thanks to its excellent visibility and advanced parking aids. On the highway, it excelled in comfort and space, making it ideal for long road trips.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). The Enclave's ride was smooth and composed, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, which was part of the Avenir Technology Package. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the potential to travel over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 380 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. With the Stealth Edition Performance Package, these figures increased to 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The Expedition's 10-speed automatic transmission contributed to its impressive towing capacity of up to 4,173 kilograms (9,200 pounds). However, its fuel consumption ranged from 12.9 to 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres, with observed fuel economy at 14.5 L/100 km. The Expedition's driving dynamics were enhanced by its sport-tuned suspension, although the ride could be harsh on uneven surfaces due to its large wheels and tires.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating up to seven passengers with its standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with a massaging function, as well as a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was notably roomy, and cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,764 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior space and comfort, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a spacious cabin. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom, while the third-row seat offered power recline and USB ports. Cargo capacity was substantial, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,961 litres with both rear rows down. The Expedition Max variant offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. However, it lacked the advanced features and larger screens found in competitors. The Avenir trim offered upgrades like navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera system. A unique feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed of the rear view.

The 2022 Ford Expedition introduced the advanced Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with a 12-inch or optional 15.5-inch touchscreen. These systems included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered wireless charging and premium Bang & Olufsen sound systems. The Expedition's technology was sophisticated, though it had some quirks, such as occasional issues with Apple CarPlay and voice recognition. The rear-seat entertainment system featured Amazon Fire TV, and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 made towing easier.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Avenir trim added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered comprehensive safety features through its Ford Co-Pilot360 packages. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, and rear automatic emergency braking. The Platinum trim featured Active Park Assist 2.0 and Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. The Expedition's adaptive cruise control was smooth, but the lane-centring assist had some issues with accuracy and reliability.