2021 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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. The Enclave stood out as the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, offering a blend of American-made luxury and modern SUV appeal. Its design was both striking and sophisticated, with the Avenir trim adding a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist yet upscale interior with soft, perforated leather and polished accents, though 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 Hyundai Tucson presented a fresh design on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with two rows of seating and expanded cargo space. The Tucson's exterior featured Hyundai's new parametric grille, hiding LED lights that formed a unique shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird. Its side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, creating a floating roof effect. The Tucson's rear showcased distinctive LED taillights, setting it apart from other compact SUVs. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models boasting premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain-resistant cloth seats and a spacious cabin, enhanced by horizontal lines across the dashboard for a sense of openness.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, offering strong acceleration and a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth, thanks to a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, and it handled various driving 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 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, delivering 226 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain was more powerful and efficient, with a combined fuel consumption rating of 6.4 L/100 km. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, and the upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power and efficiency.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quiet, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with massage functions, as well as a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,764 litres with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, while a compact SUV, offered a spacious interior comparable to larger competitors. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with higher trims offering more adjustments and heated and ventilated seats. The Tucson's cabin was designed for comfort, with a tilt and telescoping steering wheel and ample passenger volume. Its cargo space was competitive, with 1,095 litres available, and a dual-level cargo floor added versatility.

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, its screen size and audio system were less impressive compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror for enhanced visibility, but its connected services required subscriptions after short trial periods.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The Tucson's touchpoints were responsive, though the lack of physical buttons required reliance on steering wheel controls and voice commands.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. Standard features in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package added forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson's safety features were comprehensive, with the Hyundai SmartSense suite offering forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and more as standard. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. Hyundai's warranty coverage was also notable, with a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.