2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of styling, positioned between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional aesthetics of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille and distinctive vertical taillights, but its compact footprint and tall profile created an awkward appearance. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting its traditional customer base. Over the years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to a focus on SUVs, aligning with market trends. The Enclave, a three-row crossover SUV, received a mid-cycle refresh in 2022, featuring exterior enhancements like a new grille and updated fascias. The Avenir trim level boasted unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled centre console, upgraded materials, and available heated and cooled seats. The Avenir trim included climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, enhancing comfort and luxury.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided sufficient power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The XT5's cabin was notably quiet, contributing to the overall luxury experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection, producing 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. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. The Avenir Technology package enhanced the ride with a premium suspension and real-time chassis damping, ensuring a smooth and comfortable drive across various terrains. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. Buick's QuietTuning technology and active noise cancellation contributed to a serene cabin environment.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but less than the BMW X3. It provided ample legroom in both rows, although the seats could have been more comfortable. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing its German rivals but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the centre console featured a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, offering a roomy cabin for passengers in all three rows. The Enclave's third row accommodated six-footers comfortably, and the second-row captain's chairs facilitated easy access. The restyled centre console included push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave provided 668 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and 2,758 litres with both rows down. Power-folding third-row seats were available, enhancing cargo accessibility.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. While the system was an improvement over previous versions, it lacked the sophistication of competitors' offerings. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality, complementing the XT5's quiet interior.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system supported pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot for up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although it could have used more power. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced features, including adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, although it had a "Marginal" headlight rating.

The 2022 Buick Enclave included the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Premium trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.