2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, distinguishing itself from many of its competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured a new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, such as the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The restyled grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels contributed to its modern look. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, offered a sportier appearance with options like the Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a sophisticated cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, although the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status with hard plastic materials.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more traditional design approach, reflecting its historical customer base's preference for comfort and simplicity. However, Buick had shifted its focus to SUVs, and the Enclave benefited from a mid-cycle refresh that included new exterior styling elements like a redesigned grille and updated wheel designs. The Avenir trim level featured unique styling cues and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable cabin with upgraded materials, heated and cooled seats, and a restyled center console. The Avenir trim added exclusive seat stitching and trim, enhancing the overall luxury feel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the option of VW's 4Motion AWD system. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional settings for AWD models. Despite its nimble handling, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined for the R-Line with 4Motion.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a smooth and responsive ride. The Avenir Technology package enhanced the driving experience with a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's AWD system and 7.5 inches of ground clearance provided confidence on various terrains. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, and its QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while 4Motion models focused on cargo space. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy, accommodating adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in 4Motion models. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard posed usability challenges.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort and space, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin accommodated six full-size adults comfortably, with heated and power-adjustable front seats. The second-row captain's chairs added versatility, and the third row offered ample space for adults. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave provided generous cargo space, with up to 97.4 cubic feet available. Power-folding third-row seats further enhanced convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L. However, natural voice recognition required additional subscriptions. The Car-Net system offered remote access and safety features, while the SEL R-Line included a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported multiple device pairings and included a WiFi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and Teen Driver technology, with additional options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist. The IQ Drive system included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The 2021 Tiguan received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to maintain or improve this rating.

The 2022 Buick Enclave introduced the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic warning. Premium trims added enhanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received high ratings from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.