2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Buick Enclave, with its conservative styling, reflected Buick's traditional focus on comfort and simplicity, appealing to an older demographic. Over the years, Buick shifted its lineup to focus solely on SUVs, aligning with market trends. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, was a significant part of this transition, offering a refreshed design in 2022 with new exterior elements and a luxurious Avenir trim. Inside, the Enclave featured upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and enhanced comfort options, making it a more appealing choice for those seeking a premium yet understated vehicle.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe presented a more dynamic and sporty aesthetic. The AMG GLE 53 variant, with its Selenite Gray paint and 22-inch wheels, exuded athleticism. Inside, the GLE Coupe offered a high-tech and luxurious environment, with dual-screen instrumentation and premium materials like Nappa leather and brushed aluminum. The cabin's ambient lighting added to the vehicle's allure, though the complexity of its controls required some acclimation. Overall, the GLE Coupe combined style with sophistication, appealing to those seeking a more modern and performance-oriented SUV.

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, offering a towing capacity of up to 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. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, providing good acceleration and a surprisingly engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, complemented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup provided robust acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with a consumption rate of 12.7 L/100 km. The GLE Coupe's performance was further enhanced by a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD, and various driving modes. The vehicle's adaptive suspension and performance brakes ensured a nimble and composed ride, making it a thrilling option for those seeking a sporty driving experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating up to six adults with ease. The SUV's large windows provided excellent visibility, and the power-adjustable front seats ensured comfort for all passengers. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The restyled centre console and push-button transmission added to the vehicle's functionality, though the placement of cupholders raised concerns about potential spills.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe, while technically seating five, was more comfortable for four passengers. The front seats offered numerous adjustments, including heating, ventilation, and massage functions, enhancing comfort on long drives. The rear seats provided ample legroom, and the cargo area offered 655 litres, expanding to 1,790 litres with the seats folded. The GLE Coupe's interior featured luxury upgrades like a four-zone climate control system and an in-cabin fragrance system, adding to its premium appeal.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 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. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and Teen Driver technology, with additional options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The system's natural voice recognition technology was a highlight, though the touchpad control could be inadvertently activated. Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, and a Burmester surround-sound system, enhancing the vehicle's technological sophistication.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features were available on higher trims, including adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received 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 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe included standard safety features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Intelligent Drive Package added 13 advanced systems, including Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.