2022 Buick Enclave vs 2023 Ford Bronco

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 and tradition. However, the Enclave marked a significant shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs, aligning with market trends. 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 grille and 20-inch wheels, offering a touch of luxury without reaching the heights of a Cadillac XT6. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console, upgraded materials, and climate-controlled seating, providing a comfortable and visually appealing cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Bronco embraced a rugged, retro-cool aesthetic that set it apart from other vehicles. Its blocky shape, wide grille, and round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Bronco offered nine distinct trims, each with its unique flair, from the bare-bones Base trim to the top-tier Raptor with its wide stance and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim added a nostalgic touch with its throwback design elements. The Bronco's interior continued the rugged theme, featuring a broad dash and durable materials designed for off-road adventures. The cabin was equipped with practical features like sealed switches, drain plugs, and customizable handholds, ensuring durability and functionality. While the interior materials prioritized durability over luxury, the Bronco maintained a quieter ride compared to its Jeep Wrangler counterpart.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a single engine option: a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, all Enclave trims came standard with all-wheel drive, offering a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) when properly equipped. The Enclave was renowned for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. This setup allowed the Enclave to handle various terrains with ease, providing a serene cabin experience thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, offering good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered a choice of three engines, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with either a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-litre V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-tier Raptor featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with a four-wheel drive system and a two-speed transfer case, making them well-suited for off-road adventures. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler, with a quieter interior. While the Bronco's high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curvy roads, it offered a confident driving experience, aided by several cameras for maneuvering.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and windows. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably across its three rows. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat, six-way power front passenger seat, and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which offered ample space even for taller passengers. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave boasted generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape maximized interior space, with ample room in both the front and back. The four-door model offered easier access to the rear seats compared to the two-door version. The Bronco featured practical storage solutions, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for securing personal items. Cargo space varied between the two-door and four-door models, with the latter offering up to 2,197 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the rear seats did not fold flat, creating a step-up that could hinder loading longer items. The Bronco's design allowed for easy removal of fenders and doors, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

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 came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot supporting up to four devices. Additional features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road prowess, featuring G.O.A.T. drive modes that optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains. The Bronco offered multiple camera views for navigating tight spaces and a Trail Turn Assist feature for sharp turns. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Ford's SYNC 4 and FordPass Connect as standard. While most Broncos came with an eight-inch touchscreen, a 12-inch display was available for improved usability.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant safety updates, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package becoming standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Additional features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave earned 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 2023 Ford Bronco's safety ratings were mixed, with the NHTSA awarding four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS gave the Bronco "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, hill-start assist, and trailer-sway assist. The Mid package added blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist, while the High and Luxe packages offered additional features like a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise control.