2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior design with Nissan's new signature style. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional robust and athletic body styling. The SUV featured a redesigned grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look akin to the Nissan Kicks, Rogue, and Pathfinder. However, the interior remained somewhat dated, with a mix of modern and older design elements. The leather seating was comfortable, but certain design choices, like the rouched material on the door panels, detracted from the overall aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting its customer base's preference for comfort and tradition. Over the years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to a focus on SUVs, with the Enclave sitting atop its four-SUV lineup. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh with exterior styling enhancements, including a new grille and wheel designs. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats and unique trim, enhancing comfort and luxury.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. It featured a 7-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, making it a capable off-roader despite its weight of over 2,700 kilograms. The Armada's towing capacity was impressive at 3,856 kilograms, but its fuel efficiency was less so, with an estimated 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. The SUV's handling improved over the years, but its turning radius and parking maneuverability remained challenging.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard AWD provided confidence in various driving conditions, and the Enclave's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave excelled in ride quality, thanks to its premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The cabin was quiet, courtesy of Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed smoothly, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality for families, with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The interior featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but its placement made some controls difficult to reach. The Armada provided comfortable seating for first- and second-row occupants, with power-adjustable front seats and optional captain's chairs in the second row. Cargo space was limited, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 2,692 litres with all seats folded. The high load floor posed challenges for loading and unloading.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs offered versatility, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience, making it easy to access the ample cargo area.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with standard navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment system. The Armada's steering wheel provided limited control of the infotainment system, but the tech upgrades enhanced the overall experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Avenir trim featured advanced safety tech, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. However, it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist. The NHTSA gave the Armada a three-star rollover rating due to its 23.7-percent rollover risk.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Premium trim added enhanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The NHTSA awarded the Enclave a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in most crash tests.