2022 Subaru Forester 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 focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a significant shift, reflecting Buick's transition to an SUV-centric lineup. The 2022 model, part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted upgraded materials, a restyled centre console with push-button gears, and available heated and cooled seats, enhancing its comfort and appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, especially in its Wilderness trim, embraced a rugged and functional aesthetic. Known for its practicality, the Forester's design prioritized utility over form. The Wilderness model featured a suspension lift, protective cladding, and a matte-black hood decal, giving it a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance. Inside, the Forester maintained a focus on functionality with water-repellant StarTex upholstery and a straightforward cabin layout. While the interior materials might have seemed less luxurious compared to the Enclave, the Forester's design was all about durability and ease of use, appealing to those with an adventurous lifestyle.

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 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, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning technology and active noise cancellation. The Avenir Technology package further enhanced the driving experience with a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, ensuring a comfortable journey across various terrains. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, providing good acceleration and a surprisingly engaging engine sound.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters featured a continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. This setup allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. While the engine's power was adequate at sea level, it could feel sluggish at higher altitudes. The Forester's CVT, with its eight programmed ratios, provided a smooth driving experience, and the SI-Drive system added a touch of sportiness. The Wilderness trim excelled off-road, thanks to its dual-function X-Mode system, improved suspension, and all-terrain tires, making it a compelling choice for adventure seekers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat, six-way power front passenger seat, and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six adults comfortably across its three rows. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience, making the Enclave a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit and a practical interior design. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a three-person roof tent, enhancing its adventure-ready appeal. The Forester's cabin offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space was ample, with 818 litres available without the panoramic sunroof, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The Forester's practical design and spacious interior made it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

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 Bluetooth, 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. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the Enclave's tech offerings.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with available navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera, useful for off-roading. The Forester's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition system had mixed effectiveness. The Forester's tech offerings were comprehensive, catering to both everyday and adventurous driving needs.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trims added 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 from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Forester also offered a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims featured DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, and it was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.