2022 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant step forward for Buick, a brand that had struggled to regain its former glory after a period of decline. The Enclave, with its large, shiny, and impressive design, harkened back to Buick's heyday while catering to modern consumer preferences for SUVs. As the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, the Enclave stood out with its premium styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a luxurious interior with soft leather, polished accents, and a minimalist design, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite its size, the Enclave was easy to drive, with a fussy electronic transmission shifter that quickly became intuitive.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon was a bold statement in chrome, especially in the Denali trim, which featured a vast, multi-dimensional grille and C-shaped headlights. The Yukon offered a commanding presence, with 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels and a dark Redwood Metallic paint that added to its allure. The off-road-oriented AT4 trim had its own unique styling, with a dark grille, skid plate, and red recovery hooks. Inside, the Yukon provided a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin with seating for up to nine passengers, depending on the configuration. The Denali trim offered exclusive interior designs, with premium materials and a focus on comfort and luxury. The AT4 trim featured a Jet Black interior with Brandy accents, adding a touch of rugged elegance.

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) when properly equipped. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, which was part of the Avenir Technology Package. The SUV delivered a smooth and comfortable ride across various driving environments, with a fuel efficiency rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving for the FWD model.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 3,810 kilograms (8,400 pounds) with the 5.3-litre engine and the Max Trailering Package. The SUV's independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, although some bouncing was noted over rough surfaces. The optional air ride adaptive suspension provided a smooth ride, especially on highways, and offered increased ground clearance for off-roading.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for up to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's cabin was designed for comfort and quiet, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The SUV provided ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and 2,764 litres with the second row down.

The 2022 GMC Yukon addressed previous shortcomings in third-row space with a redesign that increased legroom by over 25 centimetres to 886 mm. The SUV offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the third row, thanks to a longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension. The second-row seats folded flat, and power-folding options made accessing the third row easier. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding centre console with hidden storage, while power-retractable assist steps facilitated entry and exit. The pushbutton transmission controls required some adjustment but became intuitive with use.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system fell short compared to competitors. The Avenir trim offered upgrades like navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera. A unique feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of the rear.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came equipped with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre and a 15-inch head-up display, the largest in its class. The 10.2-inch touchscreen featured Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. The Denali Ultimate Package included a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens, compatible with various media formats. The power-sliding centre console and rear camera mirror added convenience and functionality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were limited to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Pro Safety Plus package added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Safety Alert Seat and rear camera mirror enhanced safety. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet tested the current-generation Yukon.