2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious and commanding presence on the road. Its upright design provided drivers with an excellent view, while the headlight and grille styling, though busy, flowed seamlessly together. The aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even if the Seltos wasn't designed for such adventures. The red accents around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its on-road dynamics. Inside, the Seltos boasted a clean and intuitive design, with tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the centre stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting its traditional customer base. However, over the years, Buick transitioned to a more SUV-focused lineup, with the Enclave standing as a testament to this shift. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh, featuring new exterior styling elements like a redesigned grille and updated fascias. The Avenir trim level boasted unique design touches, including a distinctive grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave's restyled centre console and upgraded materials elevated the cabin's comfort and luxury. The Avenir trim further enhanced the experience with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While adequate for city driving, this engine struggled at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim, however, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway passing, especially when using the Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, making it a surprisingly agile small crossover.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard all-wheel drive in Canada ensured confident handling in various conditions. The Enclave's ride quality was exceptional, thanks to the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave excelled in providing a quiet and smooth ride, with Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology enhancing cabin serenity. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, delivering good acceleration and a pleasant engine note.

The 2021 Kia Seltos impressed with its cargo capacity, offering 752 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 1,778 litres with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs available. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, including large cubbies and bottle holders for front passengers. Rear-seat space was generous, providing ample headroom and legroom, a rarity in its class.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, as a midsize crossover, offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windows. Standard power-adjustable front seats and tri-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, with the third row providing sufficient space for taller passengers. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the rear, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. Cargo space was ample, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and a generous 2,758 litres with both rows down.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured a straightforward infotainment system, with the base LX and EX trims offering an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX Premium and SX Turbo trims boasted a larger 10.25-inch display. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only one USB port allowed data connection. The SX Turbo trim included a Bose premium sound system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's system supported pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and HD rear vision camera, while advanced options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims offered advanced driver-assistance features like collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trims added enhanced features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high ratings from the IIHS.