2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis's first SUV, was a fresh design that wasn't constrained by a long legacy of design language. This allowed it to incorporate innovative styling cues while still aligning with the brand's sedans. The GV80 featured a sleek two-box design with a long hood and short front overhang, highlighted by a massive trapezoidal grille and the signature "Quad Lamp" LED headlight array. The rear design echoed the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a luxurious interior with a sleek dashboard, minimal controls, and authentic materials like real wood and leather, creating a truly special luxury SUV experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave represented a shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving from conservative styling to a more modern SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave's 2022 refresh included exterior enhancements like a new grille and updated fascias, while the Avenir trim featured unique styling elements. Inside, the Enclave offered a spacious cabin with a restyled centre console and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim added climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, enhancing comfort. The Enclave's design updates reflected Buick's commitment to staying relevant in the evolving SUV market.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80's 3.5T models featured electronically controlled suspension with road preview and an electronic limited-slip differential for enhanced performance. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city and 10.4 highway.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things simple with a single powertrain: a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. The Avenir Technology package enhanced the ride with premium suspension and real-time chassis damping, providing a smooth and quiet experience. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The Enclave's cabin remained serene, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and design. The centre console housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The second row offered ample space for two adults, with power rear seats and window shades available. The third row, standard on 3.5T models, increased passenger capacity to seven and featured power-folding seats.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers in all three rows, with the third row offering sufficient space for adults. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered ample cargo space, with up to 2,758 litres available when both rear rows were folded.

The 2021 Genesis GV80's infotainment system featured a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen with user-configurable split-screen displays, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and a digital key function for Android users. The GV80 included Genesis Connected Services for five years, providing features like remote start and destination search. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, along with a Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave supported pairing up to 10 devices and featured a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and HD rear vision camera, with additional features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with 10 airbags, electronic stability control, and a suite of driver assistance features like blind-spot collision avoidance and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.