2022 Buick Enclave vs 2023 Honda Pilot

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 that valued comfort over cutting-edge aesthetics. However, the Enclave marked a significant shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs, aligning with market trends. The 2022 model, as part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels, offering a near-luxury experience with its upgraded materials and comfort features like climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot embraced a more rugged and substantial appearance with its redesign. The new model was larger, with a more upright grille and boxier styling, enhancing its road presence. The Pilot's TrailSport model, in particular, benefited from genuine off-road enhancements, including a taller ride height and underbody skid plates. Inside, the Pilot maintained a conventional yet functional design, prioritizing utility and versatility. The interior was spacious and well-equipped, with materials that met class expectations. The Pilot's design emphasized practicality, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a family-friendly SUV with a touch of adventure.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Enclave's towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Known for its quiet and smooth ride, the Enclave excelled in providing a premium driving experience, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The cabin's serenity was further elevated by Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology, rivaling luxury vehicles in terms of comfort and quietness.

The 2023 Honda Pilot featured a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available, and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot's acceleration was quick and responsive, with a pleasant engine sound when pushed. The SUV prioritized comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and a soft brake pedal, making it ideal for family use. The TrailSport trim offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road comfort. The Pilot's balance of daily usability and off-road readiness made it a versatile choice for adventurous families.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windows. The interior was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably across three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which provided ample space even for taller passengers. The Enclave's cargo capacity was impressive, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional, with a practical dash shelf and a choice of seven or nine-inch infotainment touchscreens, depending on the trim. The Pilot excelled in storage solutions, with a stowable second-row center seat that provided a pass-through to the third row. The second row offered generous space for adults, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. Cargo capacity was substantial, with 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 114.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The Pilot's interior design emphasized practicality and versatility, catering to family needs.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch version on higher trims. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although it lacked power for back-seat passengers. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced features, including adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim and above offered a larger infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims included a multi-view camera system, with the Elite trim adding a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick responses and a logical layout. The Pilot also featured Honda's CabinTalk, a navigation system, Bose premium audio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot on higher trims. The TrailSport and Elite trims included the TrailWatch camera system for enhanced off-road awareness.

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. Premium trims added enhanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was equipped with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors. The Pilot received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, and Honda anticipated top scores from the NHTSA. The advanced safety features performed well, with no false alarms during testing.