2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, along with subtle changes to the rear fascia. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving it a sleeker appearance. The grille appeared more upright and was flanked by large fake air intakes, making the Equinox look chunkier than its predecessor. While it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors, the Equinox's tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia offered a balance between car-like and SUV-like aesthetics. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the centre, and materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior was considered too subdued.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, historically known for its conservative styling, had evolved over the years to embrace a more modern SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, received a mid-cycle refresh for 2022, featuring exterior enhancements like a new grille, fascias, headlamps, taillamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim level boasted unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim included climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a split sunroof. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, and the power-folding third-row seats provided ample cargo space. The Avenir trim's materials and seat design added a touch of luxury, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox had more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine's torque was beneficial in city driving, but at higher speeds, the lack of horsepower became evident, and the engine felt coarse. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment, and the Enclave handled various terrains with ease.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front-seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons were prominently placed, and keyless entry and start were standard. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and windows. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably, with standard power-adjustable and heated front seats. The Enclave featured tri-zone climate control and rear-seat climate controls. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, and the restyled centre console housed push-button transmission gears. The Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and 2,758 litres with both rows folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage. The Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously. The Enclave's infotainment interface was easy to use, though some graphics appeared dated. The Premium and Avenir trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power. The Enclave offered six USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and various driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but received a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded the Equinox a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The NHTSA gave the Enclave a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.