2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from conservative styling to a more modern SUV-focused lineup. Historically known for its softer lines and functional interiors, Buick had shifted its focus to cater to the growing SUV market, leaving behind its sedan-heavy past. The Enclave, with its 2018 redesign, stood as the flagship of Buick's SUV offerings, showcasing a blend of comfort and upmarket appeal. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh, featuring exterior enhancements like a new grille and updated fascias, while the Avenir trim boasted unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and climate-controlled seating options, making it a comfortable and visually appealing choice for those seeking a premium ride without venturing into luxury territory.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE maintained its sophisticated and luxurious appeal with subtle exterior updates that might have gone unnoticed by the untrained eye. The GLE's design was marked by clever details like the Mercedes star logos on the grille and updated LED lighting. The GLE 450e, in particular, stood out with its Twilight Blue metallic finish and 21-inch AMG wheels, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, the GLE exuded class with its Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, complemented by natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a plethora of interior choices, ensuring a high-quality cabin experience. The GLE's interior was not only about aesthetics but also about functionality, providing ample space and comfort for passengers, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a singular 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. 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, providing good acceleration and a pleasant engine note. The Enclave's ride quality was further elevated by Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology, ensuring a serene cabin environment.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to various preferences. The GLE 450e, a plug-in hybrid, combined a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, enabling the GLE 450e to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds. The GLE 450e's fuel economy was impressive, with an estimated 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the GLE's suspension provided a smooth and composed ride, even on challenging road surfaces. The GLE's steering was precise, making it feel agile despite its size, and the overall performance exceeded expectations.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress thanks to its large doors and ample headroom. The Enclave's cabin was designed for comfort, featuring power-adjustable heated seats, tri-zone climate control, and generous legroom in all three rows. The third row was surprisingly accommodating for adults, and the second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the rear. The Enclave's centre console featured a push-button transmission, which, while convenient, raised concerns about potential spills affecting the electronic components. Cargo space was abundant, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE also prioritized passenger comfort, offering ample space in the first and second rows. The GLE 450e's cabin felt airy and open, with excellent visibility and a light-coloured interior. Cargo space behind the second row measured 630 litres, which was competitive within its class. While the GLE offered an optional third row, it was best suited for children due to its limited dimensions. The GLE 450e came equipped with numerous comfort features, including power-adjustable heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was further enhanced by advanced technology and luxury touches, ensuring a premium experience for occupants.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system allowed for pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The system's interface was intuitive, though some graphics appeared dated. The Enclave also offered a range of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing both convenience and safety.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE boasted the advanced MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument panel and main touchscreen. The system supported touch commands, a control pad, and steering wheel buttons, offering multiple ways to interact with the interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved voice command system. The GLE's technology suite included a head-up display, augmented reality navigation, and a Burmester audio system, providing a rich and immersive experience. The system was feature-rich, requiring some time to master, but ultimately offered a high level of functionality and convenience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. These included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Enclave also featured a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder, and HD reversing camera. Premium trims added enhanced 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, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a robust array of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and pedestrian detection. Optional features included active blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The GLE's safety systems were unobtrusive and effective, providing peace of mind without being overly intrusive. The GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2022 model year, though crash tests for the 2024 model were pending at the time of review.