2022 Honda Odyssey 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 SUV in Buick's lineup, offering a striking presence with its Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted an upscale interior with organic forms, minimalist controls, and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The leather seats were soft and luxurious, and the overall simplicity of the interior was only marred by a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey offered a practical yet stylish design, adhering to the classic minivan ethos with a touch of flair. Its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines added a sense of style, while the Touring trim featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, the Odyssey Touring provided quality leather upholstery, supportive seats with power adjustments, and a tri-zone climate control system. The interior design was open and spacious, with ample storage options and a user-friendly centre stack. The Odyssey's design emphasized functionality and comfort, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the Essence grade and all-wheel drive on higher trims. The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and its suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, provided a smooth and comfortable ride. 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 Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. The Odyssey's fuel consumption was estimated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. While the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, it offered a pleasant driving experience with responsive handling. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

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 power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. Its Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for easy configuration and access to the third row. The Odyssey offered comfortable seating for adults in all three rows, with generous legroom and support. Cargo space was impressive, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed. The Odyssey's low ride height and wide-opening doors made entry and exit easy, while its onboard vacuum cleaner and tri-colour floor mats added convenience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. However, it fell short in terms of screen size and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim offered a 10-speaker Bose sound system and a rear camera mirror, but Buick's connected services had short free trial periods.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, advanced features like adaptive cruise control required the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had a four-star frontal-impact rating.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured a rear-seat reminder system and blind-spot monitoring on the Touring trim. While Honda Sensing lacked refinement, the Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.