2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles, particularly during the Malaise Era. It stood as 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 reminiscent of Buick's glorious past, with its impressive size and premium styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet luxurious interior with soft leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite its size, the Enclave maintained simplicity in its design, with the exception of a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade emerged as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It featured an elegant and striking exterior design, with distinctive lines and a provocative glass strip that gave the impression of a floating rear roof. The Palisade's interior was equally polished, with a horizontally arrayed 12.3-inch touchscreen and high-quality materials throughout. The second row offered either a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row was spacious enough for adults on short rides. The Palisade's fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It delivered 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. The Enclave's towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. Its acceleration was strong, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly. The Enclave's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, provided a smooth ride across various driving conditions. 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 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered a baritone engine note and quick acceleration without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 11.1 combined. It had a towing capacity of up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes. The Palisade's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars.

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 heated steering wheel. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,764 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade provided comfortable seating throughout its cabin, with easy access to the third row. It offered ample storage options, including a centre console with two compartments and door panel bottle holders. The Palisade's cargo space measured 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with all seats folded. It featured a compact shift-by-wire gear selector and a dual-panel sunroof on higher trims, enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

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, its 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system fell short compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror and a Teen Driver function but lacked advanced audio components and larger screens.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess, with a 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims. It included wired Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin. The Palisade's Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a head-up display, a digital instrument cluster, and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

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

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features, including seven airbags, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist. It also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Highway Driving Assist on higher trims. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.