2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift from Buick's traditionally conservative styling. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort and tradition. However, over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, introduced in 2008 and redesigned in 2018, became a flagship model, offering a more upmarket feel. The 2022 mid-cycle refresh brought new exterior styling elements, including a redesigned grille, fascias, headlamps, and taillamps. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and available heated, cooled, and massaging front seats, especially in the top-tier Avenir trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 maintained its sleek and sporty design with subtle updates. New LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, grille, and liftgate, along with fresh alloy wheel designs, marked the exterior changes. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, addressing previous complaints. The CX-5's interior remained stylish and upscale, with a sportier driving position and enhanced passenger comfort features.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: 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 on all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave was known for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. Despite its size and weight, the Enclave offered surprisingly good off-the-line acceleration and responsive handling, thanks to its well-tuned transmission and suspension system.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The EPA rated this powertrain at 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model, running on premium gas, delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. The Turbo model also featured the revised six-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5's driving dynamics were significantly improved for 2022, offering a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride with reduced body roll and enhanced handling.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, excellent visibility, and comfortable seating with standard eight-way power driver and six-way power front passenger seats. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated six full-size adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room in all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which could also be folded for added versatility. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and front seats with new, more comfortable furnishings. The driving position was sportier, and the front passenger seat was height-adjustable in all trims except the base. The CX-5's back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents for added comfort. The control layout, while not touchscreen, required acclimation to the center console controls. Storage space was adequate, with a small center armrest bin, wireless smartphone charging, and door bins. The CX-5's cargo space was 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded, comparing favorably to entry-level luxury SUVs.

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, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims also featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with additional features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, operated via center console and steering wheel controls. While not touchscreen, the system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial subscription. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above featured a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio. Despite the lack of natural voice recognition, the system offered a comprehensive suite of connected services and a user-friendly interface once acclimated.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional standard safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder system, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The top-of-the-line Signature trim also featured Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5's safety tech operated smoothly, with minimal false alarms. The CX-5 earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS, a distinction few rivals could match.