2021 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD): EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. Pricing ranged from $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges. The Telluride EX was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered luxury features like premium stitched Nappa leather and a head-up display. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition introduced a blacked-out aesthetic with unique design elements. The Telluride's styling was widely praised, with its exterior and interior design receiving high marks for quality and execution. However, the interior colour options were limited, with light grey leather only available on the SX Limited trim.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, underwent a significant transformation over the years, moving from a conservative design to a more modern SUV lineup. The Enclave, as part of a mid-cycle refresh, received exterior styling enhancements, including a new grille and wheel designs. The Avenir trim featured unique design elements and a premium interior with upgraded materials. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, with comfortable seating for all passengers, and the Avenir trim offered additional luxury features like climate-controlled front seats and a split sunroof. The Enclave's design aimed to provide a near-luxury experience, although it didn't quite reach the luxury levels of some competitors.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia's Drive Mode Select technology, offering various driving modes, including Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The Telluride's AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, and its 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance made it capable on low-grip surfaces. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride and handling. It achieved a fuel efficiency of 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. AWD was standard on all trims in Canada, and the Enclave had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave was known for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and its nine-speed automatic transmission performed well. While not tested off-road, the Enclave's AWD and ground clearance suggested it could handle light off-road conditions.

The 2021 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable and spacious interior with a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs provided additional comfort, and the third-row seat was accessible and usable for adults. The Telluride featured ample storage options, including smartphone storage and a smart hands-free power liftgate. Cargo space measured 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,455 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating for all passengers. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom in all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs allowed easy access to the third row, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. The Enclave offered generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with the seats folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It allowed pairing of two smartphones simultaneously and featured wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice-recognition system had room for improvement. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and the Limited grades added a head-up display.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The system could pair up to 10 devices, with two active simultaneously. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave also included a Wi-Fi hotspot, multiple USB ports, and advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also featured adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 4-star frontal-impact rating.

The 2022 Buick Enclave included the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder, and HD reversing camera. The Enclave received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.