2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles, embodying the brand's return to its roots of producing large, impressive vehicles. It was the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, offering a blend of American-made luxury and modern consumer preferences for SUVs. The Enclave's design was both elegant and commanding, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir continued the upscale theme with a minimalist approach, soft leather, and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite its size, the Enclave was designed for simplicity, with a focus on comfort and ease of use, although the electronic transmission shifter required some acclimatization.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its styling and interior, with the introduction of the AT4 trim level adding a rugged touch. The AT4 featured a bold grille, black alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The Terrain's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with power-adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The AT4 trim added a touch of luxury with perforated leather upholstery and caramel-coloured stitching. While the Terrain's interior materials and design were not as refined as some competitors, it offered ample storage solutions and a spacious back seat, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided strong acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. 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. The Enclave's 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 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the power of the previously available 2.0-litre engine, the 1.5-litre offered decent performance with a focus on fuel efficiency. The Terrain's towing capacity was limited to 680 kilograms. The AT4 trim featured a four-wheel independent suspension and 17-inch wheels, providing a comfortable ride on various surfaces. The Terrain's fuel economy was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the ability to switch between FWD and AWD modes for better efficiency.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious seating for up to seven passengers. The interior was designed for comfort, with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The Enclave's third-row seat was roomy and accessible, and the cargo space was generous, with up to 2,764 litres available with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, while smaller, provided a roomy interior for a compact crossover. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The back seat offered ample legroom and support, and the Terrain's cargo space was practical, with 838 litres available behind the second row and up to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded down. The Terrain also featured a fold-flat front passenger seat for loading longer items.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the system's screen size and audio quality fell short compared to competitors. The Avenir trim offered upgrades like a premium sound system and a rear camera mirror, but the connected services required subscriptions after short trial periods.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the AT4 trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition technology was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system as part of the Tech Package. The Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine start added convenience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package available on Premium and Avenir models. This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, except for a Marginal headlight performance rating.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, but a Marginal rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of review.