2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic prioritizing comfort over cutting-edge aesthetics. However, the Enclave marked a significant shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs in response to market trends. The 2022 model, part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and taillamps. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheel design. Inside, the Enclave boasted upgraded materials and a restyled centre console with push-button gears, enhancing both comfort and functionality.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a sleek and sporty design, reminiscent of a downsized CX-5. Built on the Mazda3 platform, the CX-30 was essentially a raised version of the Mazda3 hatchback, featuring an upright grille and smooth fenders. The cabin was praised for its comfort and quietness, with a design that seamlessly integrated conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, was criticized for its steep learning curve. The CX-30's interior was well-appointed, with features like a sliding centre console cover and deep door pockets, although the rear seats offered limited headroom compared to larger models like the CX-5.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all trims came standard with all-wheel drive, and the SUV boasted a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave was renowned for its smooth and quiet ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The QuietTuning technology further elevated the cabin's serenity, making it comparable to luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, on the other hand, offered a range of engine options. The base GX model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower, while the GS and GT trims came with a 2.5-litre engine producing 186 horsepower. Our test model, equipped with the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivered 227 horsepower on 87 octane fuel and 250 horsepower on 93 octane. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and Sport mode provided lively acceleration and precise handling. However, the sporty suspension resulted in a rougher ride over uneven surfaces, though it performed well on dirt and gravel roads.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space and comfort, offering easy ingress and egress, excellent visibility, and standard power-adjustable heated front seats. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, and the Enclave provided generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The restyled centre console featured push-button gears, though the design raised concerns about potential spills affecting the electronic components.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 572 litres with the seats in use. The GT trim included a power rear liftgate, enhancing convenience. The front seats featured a sliding centre console cover, though its design could cause it to get stuck when the rear seats were folded. While the rear seats provided adequate headroom for short-to-medium trips, they lacked the spaciousness of larger models like the CX-5.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information centre, with Premium and Avenir trims offering an 8-inch reconfigurable version. 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 system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims also boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power for back-seat passengers. Additional features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was integrated into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. While the design was inspired by luxury systems like BMW's iDrive, it lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to navigate, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's usability was a common complaint, though accessing CarPlay from the home screen was straightforward. Despite its elegant design, the system's complexity detracted from the overall user experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates in safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of driver-assistance features, though many were not standard in Canada. Available features included forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Standard features included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The CX-30 earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top marks in all crash tests and a "Superior" score for its driver-assistance technology.