2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles, particularly during the Malaise Era. This SUV, the largest in Buick's lineup, was a nod to the brand's glorious past with its impressive size and American-made craftsmanship. The Enclave's design was both modern and luxurious, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet upscale interior with soft leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite its size, the Enclave maintained simplicity in its design, with the exception of a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 presented a more subtle evolution in its design. The new LED headlights and taillights, along with revised bumpers and grille, gave it a refreshed look. The Signature trim added body-colour lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery and real wood trim. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, addressing previous complaints. The CX-5's interior was designed for a sporty driving position, although the control layout, particularly the non-touchscreen infotainment system, required some acclimation. Overall, the CX-5's design changes aimed to solidify its position as a premium offering in the compact SUV segment.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration. The Enclave's towing capacity was impressive at 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The SUV's ride and handling were enhanced by a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially in the Avenir trim. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The turbocharged engine option delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas, with a fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100 km. The CX-5's driving dynamics were improved with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a quieter and smoother ride. The new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious seating for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured luxurious front seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The Enclave's cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,764 litres with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating comfort with new furnishings. The front seats were more supportive, and the driving position was sportier. The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout, particularly the infotainment system, required some adjustment. Cargo space was adequate, with 871 litres behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the back seat folded down, comparing favourably to entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times and a simple user interface. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system were less impressive compared to competitors. The available rear camera mirror was a useful feature, providing a live video view of what's behind the Enclave.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, but it lacked touch-sensing and natural voice recognition. Users had to rely on centre console controls, which required acclimation. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The optional 10-speaker Bose sound system provided decent audio quality. Mazda offered a complimentary two-year trial subscription to its connected services for new CX-5 owners.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trim levels. Standard equipment in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, available on Premium and Avenir trims, added features like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but lacked advanced driver assistance technologies.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.