2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern SUV-focused lineup. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic prioritizing comfort over cutting-edge design. However, the Enclave marked a significant shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs, a move that aligned with broader market trends. The 2022 model, part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and taillamps. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheel design. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials, enhancing the overall comfort and appeal, especially in the Avenir trim with its climate-controlled seats and unique stitching.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV70 exuded luxury and sophistication, drawing styling cues from the G70 compact luxury sedan. Its design elements, such as the split-bar headlights and chrome line, cleverly alluded to a coupe-like SUV without compromising versatility. The GV70's interior was a showcase of top-notch materials and craftsmanship, blending contemporary and classic aesthetics. The dashboard featured a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface. The GV70's cabin was a testament to Genesis's commitment to luxury, with features like a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather seating, and a Lexicon premium audio system available in higher trims. The Electrified GV70 further impressed with its cream-coloured quilt-stitched seats and high-contrast interior design, underscoring its luxury credentials.

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, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, with the nine-speed transmission providing seamless shifts. The Enclave's QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. The GV70's performance was a blend of power and refinement, with the turbo-four providing ample power for most driving situations. The Electrified GV70 featured a 77.4-kWh battery powering dual electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower. The electric GV70 offered a range of 383 kilometres and supported fast charging, enhancing its practicality.

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 and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated, with power lumbar control. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably across its three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which offered ample space even for taller passengers. The Enclave's cargo capacity was impressive, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and a voluminous 2,758 litres with both rows down.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with the seats in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed interior with large cupholders and a centre console tray. While the front seats offered easy adjustability, the rear seats had tighter legroom, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for rear passenger comfort. The rear bench's reclining feature added to the overall comfort.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 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 Enclave also offered a range of advanced features, including adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a digital camera rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was intuitive, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Available features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and a Lexicon 18-speaker audio system. The rotary dial for infotainment control was located near the vehicle's rotary shifter, which could lead to confusion.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which 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 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 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Electrified GV70 included much of this equipment as standard. The GV70 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.