2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 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 emerged as a large, shiny, and impressive SUV, reminiscent of Buick's glory days. The Enclave was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a luxurious and spacious interior that appealed to consumers' growing preference for SUVs. The Avenir trim, in particular, added a touch of elegance with its unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite its size, the Enclave maintained simplicity, except for its electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe presented a more modern and athletic design. Its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork gave it a sleek appearance, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its turbocharged engine and EQ Boost system, offered a blend of performance and efficiency. Inside, the GLE Coupe was luxurious, with high-end materials, dual-screen instrumentation, and ambient lighting. The interior design masked the vehicle's complexity, requiring some acclimation for new users. However, once familiar, the GLE Coupe provided a seamless driving experience.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured 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, offering strong acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially when equipped with the Avenir Technology Package. 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 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine with 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm. The EQ Boost system added extra power and improved fuel efficiency, with a consumption rate of 12.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The GLE Coupe's performance was enhanced by a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD, and various driving modes. Its adaptive damping control air suspension and AMG Active Ride Control suspension provided a nimble and composed ride, even on challenging roads.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. Its QuietTuning technology, along with Active Noise Cancellation and laminated glass, ensured a serene cabin environment. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with massage functions, as well as heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the seats folded.

In comparison, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe accommodated up to five passengers, with comfortable and supportive front seats featuring numerous adjustments. The back seat offered surprising legroom, and the cargo hold measured 655 litres, expanding to 1,790 litres with the rear seats folded. The GLE Coupe also offered luxury upgrades like a four-zone climate control system and an in-cabin fragrance system, enhancing the overall comfort and experience.

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 surround-view camera system as upgrades, but its connected services required subscriptions after short trial periods.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe featured the advanced Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens and a range of standard features. The system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and multiple interaction methods. Optional upgrades included a Burmester surround-sound system, gesture recognition, and augmented video for navigation, providing a comprehensive and intuitive technology experience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered essential safety features, but many were limited to higher trims. Standard features in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Confidence Plus Package added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, but advanced features like adaptive cruise control required additional packages. The Enclave received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Intelligent Drive Package added 13 advanced systems, such as Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, providing a high level of protection and assistance. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings.