2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically known for its softer lines and functional interiors, Buick had shifted its focus to SUVs, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, with its mid-cycle refresh, showcased new exterior enhancements like a redesigned grille and updated fascias, while the Avenir trim added unique styling elements. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and luxurious features like climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, especially in the Avenir trim. The Enclave's interior was a blend of comfort and subtle luxury, with the Avenir trim providing a touch of elegance through exclusive seat patterns and piping.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX embraced a bold and modern design, characterized by its signature spindle grille and refined styling details. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior design was minimalist, with a focus on simplicity and functionality. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like bolstered seats and unique instrumentation, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim. The NX's interior was comfortable, with thoughtful touches like padded surfaces for added comfort. Despite the minimalist approach, the NX's interior was equipped with advanced technology, including a large touchscreen and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Known for its quiet and smooth ride, the Enclave excelled in providing a premium driving experience, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, offering good acceleration despite its size and weight. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrains, including the turbocharged NX 350 with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The NX 350 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport trim added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its sporty character. The NX 350's acceleration to 60 mph was estimated at 6.6 seconds, with observed fuel economy varying between the F Sport and Luxury trims. The NX's handling was impressive, with the F Sport trim providing a more engaging driving experience. However, the turbocharged engine's refinement fell short compared to German rivals, and road and wind noise were more noticeable than expected.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and windows. The interior was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably across its three rows. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, and the seats could flip and fold for added versatility. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience for accessing the cargo area.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a more intimate and cozy interior, with comfortable seating and thoughtful padding for added comfort. The rear seats offered roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports for convenience. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space. The Luxury trim featured ambient lighting with nature-inspired themes, while the climate system effectively battled high temperatures. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch reconfigurable version on Premium and Avenir trims. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with 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 WiFi hotspot for connectivity. The Enclave also offered advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring large touchscreen displays and natural voice recognition. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen available as an upgrade. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with cloud-based features and over-the-air updates. The NX offered a 10-speaker sound system, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system as an option. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems allowed for natural voice commands, enhancing convenience. The NX also featured digital key capability, a digital mirror, and a comprehensive head-up display, although the touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Additional safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also offered Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system and front cross-traffic alert, enhancing safety.