2022 Volkswagen Atlas 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 luxury and modern SUV appeal. It was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a spacious and stylish design that harkened back to the brand's glory days. The Enclave's exterior was marked by its impressive presence, 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, 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 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor updates from its previous model year, maintaining its big and boxy design that appealed to those seeking a bold SUV. The Atlas was available in four trims in Canada, with the Execline trim showcasing R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels that enhanced its upscale look. Inside, the Atlas offered a simple yet premium design, though some materials felt low-cost, with hard plastics detracting from the overall quality. Despite this, the Atlas provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by 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 and comfortable, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, which was part of the Avenir Technology Package. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the potential to travel over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and an optional 3.6-litre V6. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 was capable of towing up to 2,268 kilograms, but its acceleration was leisurely, and the engine felt outdated. The Atlas featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, with various driving modes to suit different conditions. Fuel consumption for the V6 was estimated at 12.2 L/100 km, with a test result of 12.0 L/100 km. The Atlas's ride quality was generally comfortable, though its handling could be improved with an adaptive-damping suspension option.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering a spacious and quiet cabin for up to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured luxurious touches such as power-adjustable and massaging front seats, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,764 litres with the second row down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, comfortably seating seven adults with generous head and legroom. The Atlas offered various seating materials and features across its trims, including leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and heated second-row seats. Cargo space was also impressive, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,741 litres with the second row down. The Atlas included numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to potential noise from items sliding around.

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 its connected services had short trial periods before requiring subscriptions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit as standard, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches in higher trims. The Atlas offered the MIB3 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system in the Execline trim. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning the radio. The Atlas also included Car-Net connected services and the MyVW smartphone app for remote access and assistance.

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, pedestrian detection, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas boasted an impressive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with old construction markings, and the system could not be easily disabled. The Atlas received four-star ratings for frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA and did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.