2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 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 known for its softer lines and functional interiors, Buick had shifted its focus entirely to SUVs, reflecting the broader market trend. The Enclave, with its mid-cycle refresh, showcased several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled centre console, upgraded materials, and climate-controlled seating options, providing a comfortable and visually appealing cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a more subtle luxury, especially in its base GLS 450 form, avoiding the flashy chrome of its competitors. The AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions offered more visual drama with distinctive styling cues and larger wheels. The interior of the GLS was luxurious, with options for reclining rear seats and performance-oriented features in the AMG model. The standard interior, while basic by GLS standards, still felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, enhancing the overall luxury feel of the GLS.

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 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. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good acceleration despite its size, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque available from the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The GLS 450's engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was well-integrated. The GLS also featured a standard air suspension, which could adjust ride height and absorb impacts, although it exhibited poor body control over bumps. The GLS 450 had a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, slightly less than some competitors.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated, with power lumbar control. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably in all three rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, and the Enclave offered generous cargo space, with up to 2,758 litres available with both rear rows folded.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide and fold for third-row access, and the GLS offered competitive legroom, thanks to its long wheelbase. Cargo space was 355 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 2,400 litres with the second and third rows folded. The GLS featured power-folding seats and a power tailgate, with the air suspension aiding in loading and unloading cargo. However, some ergonomic issues were noted, such as the touchscreen being difficult to reach.

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 also featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although it lacked power for back-seat passengers. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and HD rear vision camera, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS boasted the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and navigation, with a 13-speaker Burmester audio system and head-up display as options. The system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, which was the most user-friendly. The GLS also featured augmented-reality navigation, although the embedded system occasionally suggested inefficient routes. The graphics were visually appealing, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Additional features were available on higher trims, such as enhanced automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. 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-Benz GLS came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional advanced driver-assistance features were available as options, such as adaptive cruise control and Active Steering Assist. The GLS also included Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a potential collision. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.