Buick recently unveiled its refreshed 2022 Enclave, and one glance should be all that fans of the brand need in order to trade up to the new model. To be clear, the refresh is more about evolution than revolution, with the majority of styling updates pulled over from its predecessor.
The second-generation Enclave arrived on the scene in 2017 as a 2018 model, unless you’re reading this from China where a unique version appeared two years later for the 2020 model year. The two designs seem to have been melded into one for this 2022 Enclave, which is a very good thing for those who appreciate elegant conservatism over edgy modernity.
As most in this camp with agree, the outgoing 2021 Enclave was already a very good-looking mid-size crossover SUV, with its Chinese alternate arguably being even more attractive. Changes made to this mid-cycle update include a larger grille for even greater premium presence, new headlights and tail lamps for yet more visual fluidity at its backside, and sharpened bumpers front to rear in order to increase visual width. It all results in even more luxury appeal, which Buick will hope lures in would-be shoppers that might otherwise be coaxed away from imported three-row luxury utilities.
At the moment, the only premium choices under the $50,000 threshold, which is more or less today’s entry-point for three-row SUVs in the premium sector, include the $48,000 2021 Enclave, soon to be replaced, and the $48,995 Infiniti QX60, which gets a long-awaited redesign for 2022. Acura’s recently redesigned MDX is priced well over the $50k mark at $56,405, as is Cadillac’s $57,998 XT6 and Lexus’ $59,700 RX 350 L.
That’s similarly priced to an Enclave around halfway through its options list, incidentally, although a fully-loaded 2021 Enclave Avenir nears the $70k mark, a price-point that’s in the range of the $64,500 Genesis GV80, $65,500 Land Rover Defender, $64,750 Volvo XC90, $68,600 Land Rover Discovery, $67,950 Audi Q7, and the $69,900 Lincoln Aviator. If you’re now questioning why Mercedes’ and BMW’s three-row competitors fit into this mix, their respective GLS and X7 start at a comparatively stratospheric $101,900 and $102,900, so there’s no need to bring them into this conversation.
Away from such lofty heights, the renewed 2022 Enclave’s standard Driver Confidence Plus suite of advanced driver’s assistance and safety technologies include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, rear parking assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beam assistance.
Behind the 2022 Enclaves larger grille, the same 310 hp 3.6-litre V6 joins up with a nine-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels, with no powertrain option available. A fully independent suspension provides good road-holding and, most importantly in this class, a comfortable ride, although the top-line Enclave Avenir comes with a more sophisticated adaptive suspension.
Buick is offering factory leasing and financing rates from zero percent on the 2022 model, although so far the General Motors brand isn’t advertising the updated Enclave on their retail website, so contact your local dealer to see if you can order one. As for the outgoing 2021 model, our 2021 Buick Enclave Canada Prices page is currently showing up to $1,000 in additional incentives for new buyers, while CarCostCanada members were saving an average of $2,916 at the time of writing.
To learn how you can save thousands when buying your next new car, truck or SUV, find out how a CarCostCanada membership works, and don’t forget to download the free CarCostCanada app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store so you can benefit from all the savings you’re entitled to.
Story by Trevor Hofmann
Photos by Buick