2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort and tradition. However, over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned to an SUV-centric lineup, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, introduced in 2008, revitalized Buick's image with its three-row crossover design. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh, featuring exterior updates like a new grille and redesigned fascias, enhancing its upscale appeal. Inside, the Enclave boasted upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and advanced comfort features, particularly in the Avenir trim, which offered climate-controlled seats and unique styling elements.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, underwent a styling update that enhanced its road presence. The new front fascia, with its squared-off grille and LED lighting, gave the Palisade a more commanding look. Standard features included body-colour mirrors with heating and power functions, and the Ultimate Calligraphy trim added premium touches like unique grille designs and accent lighting. The Palisade's interior was equally impressive, with a dual-pane sunroof brightening the cabin and premium Nappa leather in the top trim. The vehicle offered ample space, with second-row captain's chairs and advanced comfort features like heated and ventilated seats. The Palisade's design and features positioned it as a premium choice in the SUV market.

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 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 Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The vehicle's handling was impressive across various terrains, and the QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin experience. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, providing good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade's power was competitive within its class, offering more horsepower than several rivals. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, and the HTRAC system proved capable during off-road tests. The Palisade's towing capacity matched the Enclave's at 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), with a dedicated Tow Mode for optimized shifting. Fuel economy was reasonable, with consumption figures of 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. The Palisade prioritized comfort, providing a smooth ride suitable for its target audience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility due to its large windows. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated, with tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably across all three rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which could comfortably seat six-footers. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave provided generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was designed to seat seven or eight passengers comfortably, with generous legroom across all rows. The second-row seats offered easy access to the third row, thanks to the one-touch seat slide feature. Cargo space was ample, with 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with seats folded. The Palisade's interior was equipped with HVAC vents in all rows and multiple cupholders. The centre console included a phone holder and cupholders, with intuitive controls for the dual-zone climate system. The Palisade's design emphasized passenger comfort and convenience.

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 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 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although some users desired more power. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and HD rear vision camera, with advanced options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade raised the bar with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims featured a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Palisade supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices and offered multiple USB ports for charging. The Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy models included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an in-car intercom system. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features, enhancing the Palisade's technological appeal.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates in safety technology, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now 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 and adaptive cruise control. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features standard. This included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade also featured Highway Driving Assist, with advanced capabilities on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. A full-display digital rearview mirror and safe exit warning were standard, along with a rear seat occupant alert system. The Palisade's comprehensive safety features contributed to its high safety ratings.