2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class was hand-built in Graz, Austria, and offered extensive customization options through the G Manufaktur Program, allowing for over a million possible combinations. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, creating a modern and immersive driving experience. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class retained its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for those seeking both style and substance.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting Buick's traditional focus on comfort and functionality. Over the years, Buick had shifted its lineup to focus on SUVs, and the Enclave stood as the flagship model. The 2022 refresh brought exterior styling enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, while the interior received a restyled center console and upgraded materials. The Enclave offered a spacious cabin with three rows of seating, making it a practical choice for families. The Avenir trim level added luxury touches, such as climate-controlled front seats and unique trim, elevating the Enclave's appeal in the near-luxury segment.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, with the G550 model featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The G-Class boasted impressive off-road capabilities, with features like adjustable suspension, three independent locking differentials, and a high ground clearance of 9.5 inches. The more powerful AMG G63 variant offered 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Despite its performance prowess, the G-Class had a fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway for the G550 and 13/16 for the G63.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While not as powerful as the G-Class, the Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's AWD system and 7.5 inches of ground clearance offered confidence in light off-road conditions. The Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly, providing a pleasant driving experience for a midsize SUV.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a spacious and luxurious interior, with a cargo capacity of 38.1 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The G550 had a payload capacity of just over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The cabin featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a tall roofline that provided excellent headroom. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages. The G-Class also lacked hands-free access for the tailgate, a feature found in other Mercedes-Benz models.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably across its three rows. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, and the restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears. The Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience, making the Enclave a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class impressed with its twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These customizable screens, combined with the Burmester Surround Sound system, created an immersive experience. The G-Class featured the latest COMAND system with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel, offering advanced functionality. While the G-Class included standard WiFi and smartphone integration, it lacked wireless device charging.

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 performance-enhanced 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot for up to four devices. The Enclave also featured a range of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class came equipped with a range of safety features, including active brake assist, active lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the G-Class had not been rated for crash-worthiness by the IIHS or NHTSA. The vehicle's size and weight provided inherent safety advantages, but drivers needed to be mindful of its impact on pedestrians and smaller vehicles.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant safety updates, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard across all trims. This package included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The Enclave had not been fully rated by the NHTSA, but it received a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded the Enclave "Good" ratings in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.