2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell, with minor updates over the years, including the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. Despite its age, the GX's styling was coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV enthusiasts with its aggressive look. However, the interior did not match the modern luxury standards, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. The semi-aniline leather was a redeeming feature, but overall, the interior felt outdated.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave showcased a more modern and refined design, reflecting Buick's shift towards SUVs. The Enclave's exterior received a mid-cycle refresh with a new grille, fascias, and lighting elements, while the Avenir trim boasted unique styling features. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled centre console, upgraded materials, and climate-controlled seating options. The Avenir trim further enhanced comfort with heated second-row captain's chairs and a split sunroof, providing a more luxurious experience than its predecessor.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's hefty weight of 2,349 kilograms affected its performance at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for overtaking and stopping. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, but the GX excelled in off-road capabilities with features like a Torsen centre differential, low-range 4WD, and Multi-Terrain Select. It offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms, making it a robust choice for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave's AWD system and premium ride suspension provided a smooth and quiet ride, enhanced by Buick's QuietTuning technology. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration and a pleasant engine sound. While not designed for off-roading, the Enclave's 19 centimetres of ground clearance and AWD made it capable of handling light trails and winter conditions. Its towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, suitable for moderate towing needs.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. Visibility was generally good, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small centre-console storage and cupholders. The GX offered three rows of seating, but the third row was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded, making it more suitable as a two-row SUV.

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

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality, but analog controls provided a straightforward interface. The standard 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was a highlight, but overall, the tech offerings were minimal for a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a more advanced tech suite, with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system supported up to 10 paired devices and included a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave also featured a range of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing both convenience and safety.

The 2021 Lexus GX came with the Lexus Safety System+ as standard, including features like a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus models. The GX had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and more. Premium trims added enhanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings from IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.