2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its conservative roots 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 shift towards a more luxurious appeal, especially with its 2018 redesign. The 2022 model, as part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and taillamps. The Avenir trim stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheels, offering a touch of exclusivity. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials, enhancing the overall comfort and aesthetic appeal. The Avenir trim further elevated the experience with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from its previous model year, following significant updates in 2021. The Atlas was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the Execline trim being the most equipped and expensive. The Execline featured standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels that complemented its bold and boxy exterior. While the Atlas's design was appealing, the interior materials left something to be desired, with an abundance of hard plastics that detracted from its premium feel. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers in all three rows. The large and boxy design made it easy to maneuver, and the inclusion of cameras and sensors facilitated parking and navigation. However, the ride quality was somewhat compromised by the large wheels, which transmitted road imperfections into the cabin.

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, providing a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave was renowned for its quiet and smooth ride, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Avenir Technology package further enhanced the driving experience with a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly lively, and the engine's sound added a touch of personality to the driving experience. While not designed for off-road adventures, the Enclave's AWD and ground clearance made it capable of handling light trails and wintry conditions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options in Canada: a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for optimal performance. The V6, standard on the Execline trim, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The V6 engine provided a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, but its performance was considered leisurely, with a gritty note and lack of refinement. The Atlas offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, as well as Active Control calibrations for different conditions. The 4Motion AWD system could decouple the rear wheels to improve fuel economy, but the Atlas's ride quality was affected by its large wheels, resulting in a busy and noisy cabin experience. Despite its size, the Atlas was easy to maneuver, thanks to its squared-off hood and advanced parking assist technology.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress due to its large door openings. Visibility was excellent, and the standard eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated, ensured comfort for all occupants. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easy, and the power-folding third-row seats added convenience. The Enclave provided generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and 2,758 litres with both rows down. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the flat row of buttons allowed easy access to USB ports and the wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, accommodating seven passengers with ease. The low step-in height made entry and exit convenient, and the test vehicle included rear side-window sunshades for added comfort. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. The power liftgate, operable via the remote key fob or foot motion, provided easy access to the cargo area. The Atlas's interior was designed for practicality, with comfortable seating and ample room for passengers and cargo.

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 Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system supported pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot for up to four devices. The system was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. The Premium and Avenir trims boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power for back-seat passengers. The Enclave also included a three-month SiriusXM 360L trial and six USB ports across all rows. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches on the Highline trim. The Trendline trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. The Atlas offered Car-Net connected services, including remote start and Family Guardian alerts. The MyVW app provided access to Car-Net services and roadside assistance. The Highline trim included a navigation system, and the Execline featured a 12-speaker Fender audio system. However, the infotainment system's user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome tuning process. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates in safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on 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 included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim 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, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Comfortline added adaptive cruise control and parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. Highline featured LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation and an adaptive front lighting system. Execline included Area View and Park Assist technology. However, the Atlas's Lane Assist technology struggled with old construction markings, and the parking sensors were overly sensitive with a full load. The Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and received four-star frontal-impact ratings from the NHTSA.