2023 Volkswagen ID.4 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, a three-row crossover SUV, was a key player in this transformation, offering a more upmarket feel with its 2018 redesign. 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 available heated and cooled seats, enhancing its appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 showcased subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more aerodynamic rear bumper design. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 offered a minimalist interior design with quality materials, even in the base model. The 2023 updates included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats. Despite its EV nature, the ID.4 provided ample interior space, surpassing other affordable EVs in terms of legroom and cargo capacity.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, all trims came standard with all-wheel drive, and the Enclave boasted a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Known for its quiet and smooth ride, the Enclave featured a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping in the Avenir Technology package, enhancing its handling across various terrains. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. Buick's QuietTuning technology further elevated the cabin's serenity, rivaling luxury vehicles in terms of noise reduction.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base model with rear-wheel drive, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro model, available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD variant delivered 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, potentially improving acceleration and handling. While the ID.4's AWD version rivaled hot hatchbacks in acceleration, it allowed too much body roll for spirited driving. Regenerative braking was present but didn't support one-pedal driving, offering a more traditional experience for new EV drivers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort and space, with easy ingress and egress, excellent visibility, and standard power-adjustable heated front seats. The cabin offered ample room for passengers in all three rows, accommodating six adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,758 litres with both rows down. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with superior legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. Cargo capacity was impressive, offering 858 litres with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V in terms of space, it was practical for an entry-level EV. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models rated at 1,000 kilograms and AWD models at 1,225 kilograms. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional centre console lid and improved phone storage.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information centre, with an 8-inch version 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 system supported up to 10 paired devices and included a 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, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with additional options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The user interface featured sharp graphics and voice recognition, though the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less intuitive. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates to its safety features, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, 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 in most IIHS crash tests.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. While IIHS ratings for the 2023 model were not available, the 2022 model earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating. The ID.4 came equipped with standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.