2022 Buick Enclave Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Drivers who’re looking for a rather luxurious three-row crossover should check out the 2022 Buick Enclave. Competitive pricing gives this SUV a clear advantage over a more expensive European model. Although the Enclave may not offer quite as much performance and luxury, it’s not too far off the mark. An updated list of standard equipment makes the 2022 model even more appealing. Let’s find out why the new Enclave could be the perfect vehicle for your family.

What’s New for 2022?

The Enclave returns for 2022 with an updated exterior. Buick has also boosted driver confidence by adding a standard safety package. Another big change is the arrival of wireless smartphone integration. Meanwhile, a new push-button shifter frees up more space in the front.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Buick Enclave – The Pros

1. Versatile V6 Engine Powertrain

Buick equips the Enclave with a standard V6 engine, which proves to be strong and decently efficient. A 310-horsepower rating enables it to provide the necessary muscle. Drivers can look forward to enjoying excellent passing power and strong acceleration from a stop. Listed with a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, the Enclave is also more than capable of pulling a load. Fuel economy also isn’t bad for a big crossover. The federal government rates the Enclave to return up to 26 mpg using regular gas.

2. Competitive Pricing

The 2022 Buick Enclave is noticeably less expensive than most European luxury crossovers. It has a very appealing starting MSRP of less than $43,000. By comparison, prices for the 2022 BMW X7 start at nearly $75,000. Buick has made the 2022 model an even better value by updating it with a standard safety package. Most of today’s most desirable luxury features are also offered on the new Enclave, including premium leather upholstery and massaging front seats.

3. Spacious Interior With an Adult-Friendly Third Row

This SUV comes ready for long-distance cruising. There’s plenty of passenger space inside the 2022 Buick Enclave. Up to seven people can travel together. Unlike so many other crossovers in the class, the Enclave actually features an accommodating third row. This is a huge benefit for drivers who need more legroom for their adult-sized family members. A nifty Smart Slide seating system also makes it easier for passengers to access the third row.

4. Quiet and Cushy Ride

The Enclave’s interior is fine tuned with thought features to be a quiet sanctuary. Buick’s Quiet Tuning technology helps reduce, block and absorb unwanted noise to allow conversations to flourish among all three rows. Similarly, this SUV’s well-insulated cabin also does a good job of preventing wind noise from coming inside. When driving on the highway, travelers can expect the cabin to remain hushed. Plus, the Enclave’s comfort-oriented suspension enables the SUV to glide over rough patches and small potholes so that passengers will barely feel the impact.

5. Eye-Catching Sport Touring Package

When comparing last year’s model to the 2022 Buick Enclave, onlookers will notice a few updates. Sleeker LED headlights and a larger grille are found on the front. Meanwhile, new taillights make the rear fascia more attractive. However, drivers seeking the most flair will especially love the all-new Sport Touring package. It adds a bold visual character. Exclusive machined-faced aluminum wheels and a blacked-out mesh grille help create a striking look. Many people will mistake the Enclave for a more high-priced model.

6. Modern Yet Simple Infotainment System

Drivers will enjoy using Buick’s modern IntelliLink infotainment system. It boasts a standard 8.0-inch color touchscreen, which is remarkably simple to operate. Even folks who are not very tech-savvy will quickly learn how to use the interface. A straightforward home screen and large icons enable help to make things easy. For the 2022 model year, Buick has updated this multimedia system with wireless smartphone integration. The unit’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot also supports up to ten mobile devices at once.

7. Newly Standard Buick Driver Confidence Plus Safety Package

Buick has bolstered this SUV’s safety profile by adding a standard Buick Driver Confidence Plus package. When traveling in populated areas, Front Pedestrian Braking helps prevent disaster. Meanwhile, Following Distance Indicator warns drivers when they’re trailing another vehicle too closely. Designed to detect hidden vehicles, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert makes highway driving less nerve-racking. Automated emergency braking, active lane control, and auto IntelliBeam headlights are included as well.

8. OnStar Emergency Response System

When activated, OnStar transforms the 2022 Buick Enclave into an even more secure family hauler. This award-winning system is designed to give drivers around-the-clock access to emergency personnel. Whether you’re taking the kids on a trip to the zoo or running daily errands, OnStar allows you to reach help at the touch of a button. Built-in Automatic Crash Response makes the system even more rewarding.

9. Can Carry A Lot of Cargo

Drivers will appreciate the Enclave’s generous and flexible cargo area. Whether you're running shopping errands or going on a weekend adventure, the Smart Slide second-row seating makes it easy to load passengers, cargo and various combinations of each. There's approximately 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second and a whopping 97 cubic feet of total storage when both rows are folded. On top of that, it has a 10" deep under-floor additional storage area for stashing away your valuables securely. With Enclave's maximum cargo area, you can easily haul a lot of cargo, which makes it a great alternative to a pickup truck.

10. Sunroof with Fixed Rear Skylight

On the Enclave’s list of options is a sunroof with a fixed rear skylight. This feature creates a more relaxing mood. To keep passengers comfortable, drivers can activate the power rear sunshade when needed.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Buick Enclave – The Cons

1. Not the Most Rugged SUV

Families who enjoy traveling off the beaten path may need to skip the 2022 Buick Enclave. This crossover SUV is more focused on providing on-road comfort. Although the Enclave’s optional AWD system is great for the snow, it fails to enhance the vehicle’s performance on rough terrain. Adventurous features, such as trail-tuned shocks and rugged undercarriage shields, are not offered.

2. More Expensive Avenir Model Offers Less Value

Most Enclave trims offer a great deal of luxury for the money. However, the Avenir model’s more expensive price tag makes it less of a value. It costs nearly $55,000 before adding any optional equipment. Although the Enclave Avenir adds a few more upscale touches, most car shoppers will be better off choosing the less expensive Premium trim. They’ll still receive climate-controlled front seats with massage functions, heated second-row seats, and Bose sound system.

3. Lacks the Luxuriousness of its Pricier European Competitors

While the 2022 Buick Enclave interior is filled with comfort and convenience, it’s still not as luxurious as other higher end European models. Car shoppers shouldn’t expect the Enclave’s cabin to feel as posh. While some interior materials have a cheap look and feel, the dark charcoal plastic does not make a good contrast with the black plastic so that it lacks visual appeal. Furthermore, some features, such as a fully digital instrument panel and a self-parking system, are not integrated on the Enclave.

4. Competitive But Not Great Fuel Economy

Most road-trippers will have complaints about the Enclave’s highway fuel economy. It’s also tuned to run on cheaper regular gas. However, an available four-cylinder engine would enable the Enclave to save a few more bucks at the pump.

5. Size Could Pose a Concern for City Dwellers

For some drivers, the Buick Enclave will be a tad too big. It’s bigger than the typical crossover. This means parking the vehicle in crowded cities will be more of a challenge. A good alternative to the Enclave is the smaller Buick Envision, which seats up to five people.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Mazda CX-9

Known for its impressive acceleration and sporty driving dynamics, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 is among the most fun-to-drive crossovers in town.Yet, it lacks the spaciousness of the 2022 Buick Enclave, and it's third-row seat isn't very comfortable for long trips. Further, a lower tow rating also puts the CX-9 at a disadvantage.

2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is powered by the same V6 powertrain as the 2022 Buick Enclave. Although it packs just as much muscle as the Buick Enclave, its third row relatively falls short in spaciousness. Besides, the Enclave boasts a few more premium amenities than the GMC Acadia.

2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Genesis GV80

The new Genesis GV80 has received a lot of positive press. Many reviewers praise the GV80 for its sharp looks and sporty driving dynamics. However, its optional third-row seat doesn’t offer much legroom. Budget-minded car shoppers will also appreciate the Enclave’s lower starting MSRP.

Conclusion

The 2022 Buick Enclave offers families a taste of luxury at an affordable price. As Enclave has worked on updating its infotainment system and safety package, it now packs even more value. Furthermore, even this crossover’s third row is rather spacious. A robust V6 engine also makes the Enclave a thrilling vehicle to drive. While all the available trims look captivating, you can expect the Essence trim’s optional Sport Touring package to really cause heads to spin.

No matter which vehicle you are considering, it's important to be aware of all its shortcomings. Although there are a lot of great reasons to get the 2022 BuickEnclave, it also has its weak points, and we have already thoroughly analyzed them above for you. The Enclave is not built rugged enough to travel through the rural countryside back roads. While the Enclave offers great comfort and convenience, don’t expect to receive a Mercedes-Benz level of luxuriousness.