2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, appealing to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a shift towards a more luxurious and stylish approach, especially with its 2018 redesign and 2022 mid-cycle refresh. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille, body-coloured lowers, and 20-inch wheels, offering a premium feel. Inside, the Enclave boasted upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and climate-controlled seating, enhancing both comfort and aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban embraced a bold and robust design, reflecting Chevrolet's full-size truck design language. The Suburban's tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a commanding presence on the road. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered a range of customization options, with our RST test vehicle featuring a striking Cherry Red Tintcoat and sporty black accents. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with varying levels of luxury, from the economically comfortable LS trim to the plush High Country. The RST trim, with its Jet Black leather seats and Victory Red stitching, offered a sporty yet slightly dark interior ambiance.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a straightforward powertrain with a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all Enclave trims came standard with all-wheel drive, offering a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave was renowned for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning technology.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, provided effortless power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing. Our RST test vehicle, equipped with this engine and Magnetic Ride Control, excelled in a 130-kilometre tow test, showcasing its impressive towing capacity of 3,765 kilograms. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality and increased interior space, making it a versatile choice for both performance and practicality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. Standard features included power-adjustable heated front seats and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's three-row seating provided ample room for passengers, with the third row accommodating six-footers comfortably. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered generous cargo space, with up to 2,758 litres available with the rear seats folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience to accessing the cargo area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row was notably spacious, with easy access and ample headroom and legroom. The Suburban boasted a massive cargo area, with 1,175 litres behind the third row and up to 4,097 litres with the rear seats folded. The power-sliding centre console and hidden storage drawer added practicality, while the Suburban's size posed challenges in tight spaces. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls marked a departure from the traditional column-mounted shifter.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information centre, with an 8-inch version available on higher trims. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims offered a superior 10-speaker Bose audio system, and the Enclave came with a range of standard and available safety features, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a wealth of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT trims and above. Google built-in, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, was also standard on these trims. The Suburban's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen on the LS and a 10.2-inch system on higher trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Suburban offered a range of audio systems, with a premium Bose CenterPoint system available on top trims. The Suburban's technology suite included numerous camera views and advanced safety features, enhancing both convenience and safety.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant safety updates, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Enclave earned 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.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with standard features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and HD surround vision. The Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong scores in side crash protection. The IIHS had not yet tested the current-generation Suburban.