2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to embrace a more modern and upscale aesthetic. This transformation was evident in the Enclave's exterior, which featured a refreshed grille, updated front and rear fascias, and new headlamp and taillamp designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheel design. Inside, the Enclave offered a luxurious experience with upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and available heated and cooled seats. The Avenir trim further enhanced the interior with climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a split sunroof, providing a comfortable and visually appealing environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 maintained its sleek and sophisticated design, with subtle updates to its LED headlights, taillights, bumpers, and grille. The Signature trim received body-colour lower exterior trim, emphasizing Mazda's premium aspirations. Inside, the CX-5's interior remained largely unchanged, retaining its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, enhancing the driving experience. While the CX-5's interior was stylish and upscale, it lacked the Enclave's level of customization and unique trim options.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with the Enclave's AWD system ensuring confident handling in various conditions. The Enclave's ride quality was further enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. This setup allowed the Enclave to handle different terrains with ease, offering a quiet and comfortable ride thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The CX-5's driving dynamics were improved with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a sporty and composed ride. The new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) system offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, enhancing the driving experience. The CX-5's performance was characterized by its agility and responsiveness, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a spirited drive.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers in all three rows. The Enclave's large windshield and window openings ensured excellent visibility, while the standard eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat offered customizable comfort. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,758 litres with both rows down. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless phone charging pad.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating comfort with new furnishings that provided better support and a sportier driving position. The CX-5's back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout, however, was a source of frustration due to the lack of a touchscreen display and natural voice recognition. Cargo space in the CX-5 was adequate, with 871 litres behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the back seat folded, offering a balance between practicality and luxury.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot for connectivity. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the Enclave's tech offerings.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display and Bluetooth, but lacked a touchscreen interface and natural voice recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Mazda Connected Services. The CX-5 offered a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system on higher trims, providing a satisfactory audio experience. While the infotainment system required acclimation, the CX-5's tech features were functional and complemented its premium aspirations.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety by standardizing the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package across all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. 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.