2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a spacious interior, fitting comfortably within Volkswagen's lineup between the subcompact and compact segments. It was available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, with a single engine option and a choice between front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive on the base model. The Taos featured a stylish exterior with options like 19-inch machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, adding to its vibrant personality. However, the interior was criticized for its hard plastic materials, though it offered soft surfaces where needed, with the Highline trim providing two-tone perforated leather and contrast stitching.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving towards a more modern and upscale appearance. As part of a mid-cycle refresh, the Enclave received exterior styling enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console, upgraded materials, and available heated and cooled seats. The Avenir trim level offered additional luxury features, such as climate-controlled front seats and unique trim and seat stitching. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably across all three rows, with ample cargo space and power-folding third-row seats for added convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While the engine provided sufficient power, the turbocharger's delayed response and the dual-clutch transmission's erratic shifting could be frustrating for some drivers. The Taos offered a smooth and compliant driving experience, with responsive steering and effective brakes. However, its ground clearance was limited compared to some competitors, making it less suitable for off-road adventures. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the Taos 4Motion averaging 8.7 L/100 km during testing.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave's powertrain delivered impressive acceleration for its size, and the ride quality was enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's quiet cabin, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology, provided a serene driving experience. With a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, the Enclave was well-suited for hauling needs, although it was not designed for off-road use.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a spacious interior, with the Highline trim providing comfortable front seats with power adjustments and heating and ventilation options. The rear seat was equally roomy, with generous legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the front-wheel-drive model offering more volume than the 4Motion version. The Taos also featured a centre pass-through for added versatility.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The Enclave's cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, with standard second-row captain's chairs and a spacious third row. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered ample cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats for added convenience. The Enclave's interior was well-appointed, with premium materials and thoughtful design elements.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came equipped with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims featuring an 8-inch display and more advanced software. While the Taos offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the infotainment system's user experience was criticized for its complexity and slow response times. The Highline trim added a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system was user-friendly, with the ability to pair multiple devices and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced safety and driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of safety features, but many were only available on higher trims or as part of an extra-cost package. The Comfortline grade included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Highline grade added automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and rear parking sensors. The Taos also featured Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, providing advanced driving assistance and safety features.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant improvements to its safety technology, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.