2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave presented a refined and comfortable experience, reflecting Buick's shift from traditional sedans to a more SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave's exterior received a mid-cycle refresh, featuring a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. The Avenir trim stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials, enhancing the overall comfort with available heated and cooled seats. The Avenir trim further elevated the experience with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, offering a luxurious feel without reaching the luxury levels of a Cadillac XT6.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication with its elegant exterior design, highlighted by quad-lamp headlights and a bold grille. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, adding to its stately presence. The interior continued the theme of luxury with quilted leather seats in a dark green hue, complemented by metal and matte wood trim. The centre console was marked by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. Despite a minor quibble with the placement of the 14.5-inch infotainment screen, the GV80's interior was spacious and luxurious, making it a pleasant environment for occupants.

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 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. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good acceleration despite its size and weight. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6, with our tester featuring the latter, producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly quick, taking around five and a half seconds to reach 100 km/h, it excelled in highway driving. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a smooth and quiet ride. The GV80's performance was more about comfort and refinement than athleticism, making it ideal for long highway journeys.

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. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which provided ample room even for taller passengers. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience to accessing the cargo area.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxurious features and ample utility. Standard heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a tri-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all occupants. The Ergo driver's seat offered fatigue-reducing adjustments, while the Nappa leather seats added a touch of opulence. The GV80's cargo space was impressive, with 988 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,378 litres with the seats folded. The GV80 also boasted a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for those needing both luxury and utility.

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 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave also offered advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial offered a tactile interface, albeit with a learning curve. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, though not wirelessly. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside. The technology suite was comprehensive, offering convenience and innovation for tech-savvy drivers.

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. 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 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the car's blind spot, enhancing safety. The GV80 also featured Highway Drive Assist, offering hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with "Superior" front crash prevention.