2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to the brand's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. After a period of decline, Buick found its footing by offering globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave stood out as the largest of Buick's four SUVs, offering a luxurious and spacious option for consumers. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave's pricing ranged from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. The Avenir trim, in particular, added a touch of elegance with a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather, although the wood trim was not genuine.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer, offered in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trims, featured a Camaro-inspired design that appealed to many. The RS trim, with its V6 engine and sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system, stood out for its sporty appearance. The Blazer's pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, with our test vehicle totaling $49,000. The interior of the Blazer RS featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, and front seats with heating and ventilation. The back seat was wide and flat, offering plenty of room for passengers. The Blazer's cargo space measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered both FWD and AWD options. The V6 engine's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic provided smooth shifts. The Enclave's maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Avenir Technology Package, featured a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. The suspension performed exceptionally well across various driving conditions, and the Enclave achieved an average fuel economy of 21.2 mpg.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The RS trim featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine offered satisfying acceleration, though it could be loud and unrefined. The Blazer RS's dual-clutch AWD system provided improved responsiveness on low-traction surfaces. The Blazer's fuel economy averaged 20.5 mpg during testing. While the Blazer RS felt firm and sporty in typical driving conditions, it struggled on back roads, with the suspension and transmission not performing as well as expected.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was roomy and easy to access, and the cargo space measured 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's interior featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, and front seats with heating and ventilation. The back seat was wide and flat, offering plenty of room for passengers and sliding forward and back on tracks for added flexibility. The Blazer's cargo space measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Blazer also offered ample storage space, including a large glove compartment, a bin under the center armrest, and various shelves and bins in the door panels.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, voice recognition, and a simple user interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Enclave's 8-inch touchscreen display was the largest available, and it lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The rear camera mirror was a useful feature, providing a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen display with high-resolution graphics and a modern appearance. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while upgrades added satellite radio, connected navigation, and enhanced voice recognition. The Blazer also offered connected services, including an OnStar Safety and Security plan and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The infotainment system was easy to use, with separate stereo volume and tuning functions and climate controls. The Blazer's enhanced voice recognition and connected navigation systems were impressive, and the 8-speaker Bose audio system provided decent sound quality. The Blazer also featured rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems worked well but were limited to higher trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on the Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only on the Avenir trim with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated as Marginal.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked well, providing smooth and effective performance. However, the Blazer did not receive a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS due to its headlight performance.