2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a refined and conservative design that stood out among its competitors. Its updated front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan offered a range of trim levels in Canada, all equipped with 4Motion AWD, and showcased a sportier look in the R-Line models. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and advanced technology, though the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market roots. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with additional options like a panoramic sunroof available.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave embraced its heritage with a large, impressive design that resonated with its past glory. The Enclave Avenir trim added a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appearance. Inside, the Enclave Avenir offered a minimalist yet luxurious interior with soft leather seats, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, and a stylish centre console. The Enclave provided spacious seating for seven, with heated second-row captain’s chairs and a useful third-row seat. Despite its size, the Enclave maintained a serene cabin environment, thanks to Buick’s QuietTuning efforts and laminated glass.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Tiguan’s 4Motion AWD system could distribute power to the rear wheels when needed. Drivers could select from various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional Offroad settings available. Despite its nimble handling, the Tiguan experienced some turbo lag, and its fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving. The Tiguan’s suspension and steering provided a balanced ride, though it lacked excitement for more spirited driving.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave’s acceleration was strong, and its towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The Avenir trim offered a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, enhancing ride comfort across various driving conditions. The Enclave’s fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank. The steering and brake response were satisfactory, though the steering could benefit from quicker response.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs, with an optional third row. The Highline R-Line trim provided comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and excellent visibility. The second row was roomy, accommodating adults and children alike, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan’s cargo space was generous, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave’s third-row seat was practical, with easy access through large rear doors. Cargo space was ample, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the second-row seats folded. The Enclave’s cabin remained quiet and serene, thanks to Buick’s noise-cancelling efforts.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the voice recognition system was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system met basic expectations, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Avenir trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10-speaker Bose sound system, though these fell short compared to competitors. The Enclave included a rear camera mirror and a Teen Driver function, but the screen size and audio components were less impressive. Buick’s connected services required subscriptions after short trial periods.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist systems, with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist upgrades. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, while Emergency Assist could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s improvements aimed to enhance its safety credentials.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert in Canada, with additional safety features available in higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, advanced driver assistance technologies were limited to the Avenir trim with the optional Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.