2023 Acura RDX vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to embrace a more modern and upscale aesthetic. This transformation was evident in the Enclave's exterior, which featured a refreshed grille, updated front and rear fascias, and new headlamp and taillamp designs. The Avenir trim level further distinguished itself with unique styling elements, including a bespoke grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a refined cabin with upgraded materials and a restyled centre console, enhancing both functionality and comfort. The Avenir trim added luxury touches such as climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura RDX maintained its sharp, angular style, characterized by a distinctive Acura grille and sleek wraparound headlights. While the exterior design was sporty and aggressive, the rear of the RDX was more conventional, resembling other small SUVs. Inside, the RDX featured a vertical cockpit layout with a focus on performance, highlighted by gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial. The interior design, though not as modern as some competitors, offered a familiar and user-friendly experience. The RDX's cabin was equipped with a 10.2-inch infotainment display and a digital centre display with analog gauges, catering to those who preferred a more traditional setup.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft 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, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave offered surprisingly responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly. Buick's QuietTuning technology further elevated the cabin's serenity, making it a standout in its class.

The 2023 Acura RDX featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard, known as "super-handling all-wheel drive" (SH-AWD). The RDX accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, offering a sporty driving experience with immediate throttle response and a pleasing engine sound. The RDX's handling was impressive, with well-managed body roll and ample traction from the advanced AWD system. The Platinum Elite A-Spec trim included adaptive dampers, ensuring a comfortable ride without compromising performance.

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 provided ample room for passengers in all three rows, with the third row accommodating six-footers comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the rear, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. The Enclave boasted generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,758 litres with all seats folded.

The 2023 Acura RDX provided ample space for front-seat occupants, with additional power adjustments in the top trim level. The rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. The RDX offered 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a deep bin under the cargo floor for added versatility. Folding the rear seats expanded capacity to 1,668 litres, and remote seatback levers made the transformation easy. The RDX's interior featured numerous storage options, though the centre stack's design could have been more space-efficient.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information centre, with an 8-inch reconfigurable version 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 paired devices and included a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though some passengers desired more power. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology.

The 2023 Acura RDX's infotainment system utilized a touchpad controller, which proved challenging to use while driving. The dashtop display was not a touchscreen, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity improved the user experience. The RDX's infotainment system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, though the interface was less intuitive than competitors. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio premium audio system.

The 2022 Buick 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. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Premium trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Acura RDX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The Platinum Elite A-Spec package added a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.