2021 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Honda Passport

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 SUV appeal. 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 to controls, soft leather upholstery, and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite its size, the Enclave maintained a sense of simplicity, marred only by a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design that emphasized a rugged, truck-like appearance. The Passport's new styling, especially in the TrailSport trim, aimed to appeal to those seeking off-road adventures, though its capabilities were more aesthetic than functional. The TrailSport trim added unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates, enhancing its SUV persona. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious and well-assembled interior, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport. The Passport's interior was one of the largest in its class, providing ample space and comfort for passengers.

Under the hood, 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 trim in Canada, while all-wheel drive was available on higher trims. The Enclave's V6 engine delivered strong acceleration, and its low torque peak contributed to a smooth driving experience. The SUV's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, provided a premium ride quality, handling various road conditions with ease. 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 Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, also mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, featuring Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system. This system offered mechanical torque vectoring, distributing up to 70 percent of power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport's performance was characterized by smooth acceleration and a firm, communicative ride. It averaged 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in various driving conditions. While the Passport excelled on paved roads, its off-road capabilities were limited, and its brakes showed some vibration under heavy use.

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, featuring Buick's QuietTuning technology, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated glass. The Avenir trim included power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with massage functions, as well as heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the second row folded.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. Its interior featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats, while the TrailSport trim added heated rear seats. The Passport's triple-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers. Storage was abundant, with a large centre console and various compartments throughout the cabin. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and up to 2,854 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but lacked the advanced features found in some competitors. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. The Avenir trim offered additional features like a rear camera mirror and a surround-view camera system. However, the screen size and audio quality fell short compared to other premium SUVs.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system was straightforward, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system's navigation was clunky, prompting users to rely on Apple CarPlay for better functionality. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base trim.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard in Canada. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, available on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but lacked advanced driver assistance technologies.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal collision, which earned four stars.