2022 Buick Envision vs Enclave

Are you shopping for a new luxury SUV with dynamic loading options, cutting-edge technology, and ample seating? You might have gotten unlucky with other automakers, but there are several strong challengers in the Buick lineup. Both the compact two-row 2022 Buick Envision and the midsize three-row 2022 Buick Enclave are SUVs with very different price tags, power ratings, and more. One might have exactly what you need, so let #1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown help you distinguish between them.

2022 Envison and Enclave Trim Levels

Image via Flickr by Rutget van der Maar

The Buick Envision is a five-seat luxury SUV in three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir. Meanwhile, the Buick Enclave also offers three trims of similar names: Essence, Premium, and Avenir. The Buick Envision and Enclave both look amazing at the starting trim, with the subsequent trims adding more technology and features for both the driver and passengers. Both vehicles are available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Whether you want bigger tires, sporty accents, or electric-powered exterior features, there’s an Envision or Enclave for you. A set of 18-inch to 20-inch wheels, LED lighting, and roof rails are just a few of the exterior features on offer. Additional features include heated power side mirrors and a hands-free power programmable liftgate with LED logo projection.

Engines and Performance

Although both offer superb powertrains for their respective classes, the Buick Envision and Buick Enclave have notable differences in power. Each also features only one engine, keeping the lineups simple. The standard shifting and suspension components are also quite alike. Both use a nine-speed automatic transmission and have similar fuel tank sizes.

As most drivers could anticipate, the larger Enclave has more power, while the smaller Envision is more efficient. The sport 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine in the 2022 Buick Envision produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.6-liter V-6 engine in the 2022 Buick Enclave produces 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Envision reaches up to 26 combined mpg in front-wheel drive, and the Enclave gets up to 21 combined mpg in the same configuration.

Although the Enclave is the larger vehicle, it also stands out for its agility, with a slight advantage over the Envision in tight city environments. Coupled with the increased horsepower, the Enclave makes a good fit for picky drivers who want no shortcomings or compromises. That said, Buick is known for superior performance across the board. For those who just want enough power to stay ahead on the road, either vehicle has more than enough.

What’s New for 2022

The Buick Envision was more thoroughly refreshed in the 2021 edition, meaning that 2022 brings only a few tweaks. For instance, Buick added a new sapphire metallic exterior color. A Sport Touring bonus package, seen on Preferred or Essence trim levels, now includes alloy pedal covers, as well as embroidered ST logos on the headrests and floor mats. On the Essence Envision with the Sport Touring package, specifically, drivers now also get contrasting red stitching.

If you take an interest in whichever vehicle has the most updates for 2022, consider the Enclave. The three-row SUV was enhanced both outside and inside, specifically the area around the center console and automatic transmission shifter button. Also, many driver alert or assistance features have been moved from optional to standard. These include pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and automatic emergency braking. It’s a more significant upgrade over the prior year, although both models are excellent SUVs at the top of their segments.

Exterior and Interior Dimensions

It’s important to choose just as large and roomy a vehicle as you want so that you don’t overpay on a vehicle that doesn’t get fully used. From the outset, the primary difference between the two SUVs is size.

Compared to the Envision’s outside dimensions, the Enclave is 22 inches longer, six inches taller, and four inches broader. Considering it is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for up to seven people, and the Envision is a smaller, two-row SUV that seats five people, the difference is understandable. However, the Envision’s five seats have a bit more room in relation to the total cabin volume. That added legroom could mean the Envision makes more sense for you and your crew.

On the other hand, the Enclave has a significant advantage in cargo capacity. The second and third rows folded down have a maximum volume of 97.6 cubic feet from a rear cargo area of 58 cubic feet. Meanwhile, with its second row down, the Envision produces a total of 52.7 cubic feet from a 25.2-cubic-foot rear zone. If you know you’ll need the more-than-doubled loading space, the Enclave is the better fit.

Interior Features

The 2022 Buick Envision uses an 8-inch IntelliLink touch screen infotainment system on the starting Preferred model. The Essence and Avenir trims get a bigger replacement at 10.2 inches. The Essence also gets seven audio speakers or a premium nine-speaker Bose system through the technology package.

All told, the Enclave is a higher standard of luxury, while the Envision is a blend of luxury and practicality. However, the Envision does have one interesting advantage, and that is the 10.2-inch screen. On the Enclave, the 8-inch screen appears on all trims.

Safety Features

All Envision trims come included with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus a suite of nine driver-assist systems: forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, lane change alert with blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and Intellibeam automatic high beams. The Enclave is very similar, but automatic parking, an option on the Envision, is not available.

You may think that the main factor between the Envision and Enclave is the size of your family, but there’s more nuance. The Enclave is generally a higher-standard, bigger alternative to the Envision, but there are a few appealing advantages to the smaller of the two. If you’re looking for an excellent Buick with a gorgeous interior, whether the Envision, Enclave, or even the subcompact Encore, let the experts at #1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown answer your questions.