2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles, particularly during the Malaise Era. Once a brand known for its grandeur, Buick had to reinvent itself to stay relevant, especially after the 2009 General Motors bankruptcy. The Enclave, with its American-made roots, was a nod to Buick's illustrious past while catering to the modern consumer's preference for SUVs. It was the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, standing out with its impressive design and luxurious Avenir trim, which added unique styling elements like a distinctive grille and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet upscale interior, featuring soft leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was a bit fussy, but users quickly adapted to it.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos was introduced as a compact SUV, positioned at the lower end of the segment, complementing the larger Tiguan. The Taos was designed to compete with models like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. It offered a straightforward design with a few intricate details, such as the handsome 19-inch machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels and vibrant Cornflower Blue paint. The Taos featured standard roof rails and skid plates, although the blacked-out front bumper was a questionable design choice. Inside, the Taos had a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the Highline trim offering two-tone perforated leather and a stitched dashboard. Despite some criticisms of the interior materials, the Taos was praised for its spaciousness and practicality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided 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. The SUV's handling was commendable, with a serene ride quality on various road surfaces. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 1,750 rpm. While the engine provided adequate power, the turbocharger's delayed response and the dual-clutch transmission's erratic shifting were noted drawbacks. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission offered smoother performance but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos Highline 4Motion, with its Sport mode, improved driveability but still exhibited some powertrain quirks. Despite these issues, the Taos was enjoyable to drive, with responsive steering and effective brakes. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.5 L/100 km in combined driving, with an observed average of 8.7 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, featuring Active Noise Cancellation and laminated glass. The Avenir trim included luxurious features like power-adjustable, massaging front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious, with easy access through large rear doors. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos, while classified as a compact SUV, boasted a surprisingly roomy interior. The Highline trim offered deeply bolstered, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering more room due to its torsion-beam suspension. The Taos provided 790 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,866 litres with the seats folded, making it practical for various needs.

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 were considered lacking compared to competitors. The Avenir trim offered upgrades like navigation and a surround-view camera. A unique feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed of the rear view.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The Highline trim added navigation and a BeatsAudio sound system. However, the MIB3 infotainment system had usability issues, with complex menu navigation and unreliable voice recognition. Despite these challenges, the Taos offered a comprehensive suite of technology features.

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, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos required higher trims for popular safety features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The Highline trim offered advanced features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, providing Level 2 driving assistance. The Taos had reverse automatic braking, which could be turned off if needed. As a new model, it had not yet been crash-tested by major safety organizations.