diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/sequence.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/sequence.cu
index 1bd2942fd52..cc6a75c2dba 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/sequence.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/sequence.cu
@@ -33,11 +33,8 @@ void TestSequenceDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  thrust::device_vector<int> ref{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   sequence_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.end(), 10);
   {
@@ -45,11 +42,8 @@ void TestSequenceDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 10);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 13);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 14);
+  ref = {10, 11, 12, 13, 14};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   sequence_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.end(), 10, 2);
   {
@@ -57,11 +51,8 @@ void TestSequenceDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 10);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 14);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 16);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 18);
+  ref = {10, 12, 14, 16, 18};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 }
 
 void TestSequenceDeviceSeq()
@@ -89,29 +80,20 @@ void TestSequenceCudaStreams()
   thrust::sequence(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end());
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  Vector ref{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   thrust::sequence(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end(), 10);
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 10);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 13);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 14);
+  ref = {10, 11, 12, 13, 14};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   thrust::sequence(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end(), 10, 2);
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 10);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 14);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 16);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 18);
+  ref = {10, 12, 14, 16, 18};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference.cu
index ff726cf5f8a..09d2fafb46a 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference.cu
@@ -23,17 +23,9 @@ void TestSetDifferenceDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  Vector a(4), b(5);
-
-  // clang-format off
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4; a[3] = 5;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4; b[4] = 6;
-  // clang-format on
-
-  Vector ref(2);
-  ref[0] = 2;
-  ref[1] = 5;
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4, 5}, b{0, 3, 3, 4, 6};
 
+  Vector ref{2, 5};
   Vector result(2);
 
   thrust::device_vector<Iterator> end_vec(1);
@@ -66,17 +58,9 @@ void TestSetDifferenceCudaStreams()
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  Vector a(4), b(5);
-
-  // clang-format off
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4; a[3] = 5;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4; b[4] = 6;
-  // clang-format on
-
-  Vector ref(2);
-  ref[0] = 2;
-  ref[1] = 5;
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4, 5}, b{0, 3, 3, 4, 6};
 
+  Vector ref{2, 5};
   Vector result(2);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference_by_key.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference_by_key.cu
index 62fd338ce9e..a619a051935 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference_by_key.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_difference_by_key.cu
@@ -35,21 +35,10 @@ void TestSetDifferenceByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(4), b_key(5);
-  Vector a_val(4), b_val(5);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4; a_key[3] = 5;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0; a_val[3] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4; b_key[4] = 6;
-  b_val[0] = 1; b_val[1] = 1; b_val[2] = 1; b_val[3] = 1; b_val[4] = 1;
-
-  Vector ref_key(2), ref_val(2);
-  ref_key[0] = 2; ref_key[1] = 5;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 0;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4, 5}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4, 6};
+  Vector a_val(4, 0), b_val(5, 1);
 
+  Vector ref_key{2, 5}, ref_val{0, 0};
   Vector result_key(2), result_val(2);
 
   using iter_pair = thrust::pair<Iterator, Iterator>;
@@ -96,21 +85,10 @@ void TestSetDifferenceByKeyCudaStreams()
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(4), b_key(5);
-  Vector a_val(4), b_val(5);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4; a_key[3] = 5;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0; a_val[3] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4; b_key[4] = 6;
-  b_val[0] = 1; b_val[1] = 1; b_val[2] = 1; b_val[3] = 1; b_val[4] = 1;
-
-  Vector ref_key(2), ref_val(2);
-  ref_key[0] = 2; ref_key[1] = 5;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 0;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4, 5}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4, 6};
+  Vector a_val(4, 0), b_val(5, 1);
 
+  Vector ref_key{2, 5}, ref_val{0, 0};
   Vector result_key(2), result_val(2);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection.cu
index e9dcc6d9cb3..11239c74eae 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection.cu
@@ -26,17 +26,9 @@ void TestSetIntersectionDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  Vector a(3), b(4);
-
-  // clang-format off
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4;
-  // clang-format on
-
-  Vector ref(2);
-  ref[0] = 0;
-  ref[1] = 4;
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4}, b{0, 3, 3, 4};
 
+  Vector ref{0, 4};
   Vector result(2);
   thrust::device_vector<Iterator> end_vec(1);
 
@@ -75,17 +67,9 @@ void TestSetIntersectionCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  Vector a(3), b(4);
-
-  // clang-format off
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4;
-  // clang-format on
-
-  Vector ref(2);
-  ref[0] = 0;
-  ref[1] = 4;
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4}, b{0, 3, 3, 4};
 
+  Vector ref{0, 4};
   Vector result(2);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection_by_key.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection_by_key.cu
index 3314bad0314..0f1ea9f32b4 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection_by_key.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_intersection_by_key.cu
@@ -32,20 +32,10 @@ void TestSetIntersectionByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(3), b_key(4);
-  Vector a_val(3);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4;
-
-  Vector ref_key(2), ref_val(2);
-  ref_key[0] = 0; ref_key[1] = 4;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 0;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4};
+  Vector a_val(3, 0);
 
+  Vector ref_key{0, 4}, ref_val{0, 0};
   Vector result_key(2), result_val(2);
 
   using iter_pair = thrust::pair<Iterator, Iterator>;
@@ -97,20 +87,10 @@ void TestSetIntersectionByKeyCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(3), b_key(4);
-  Vector a_val(3);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4;
-
-  Vector ref_key(2), ref_val(2);
-  ref_key[0] = 0; ref_key[1] = 4;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 0;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4};
+  Vector a_val(3, 0);
 
+  Vector ref_key{0, 4}, ref_val{0, 0};
   Vector result_key(2), result_val(2);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference.cu
index ea7c76f0203..0c12c3405f2 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference.cu
@@ -23,16 +23,9 @@ void TestSetSymmetricDifferenceDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a(4), b(5);
-
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4; a[3] = 6;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4; b[4] = 7;
-
-  Vector ref(5);
-  ref[0] = 2; ref[1] = 3; ref[2] = 3; ref[3] = 6; ref[4] = 7;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4, 6}, b{0, 3, 3, 4, 7};
 
+  Vector ref{2, 3, 3, 6, 7};
   Vector result(5);
   thrust::device_vector<Iterator> end_vec(1);
 
@@ -65,16 +58,9 @@ void TestSetSymmetricDifferenceCudaStreams()
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a(4), b(5);
-
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4; a[3] = 6;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4; b[4] = 7;
-
-  Vector ref(5);
-  ref[0] = 2; ref[1] = 3; ref[2] = 3; ref[3] = 6; ref[4] = 7;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4, 6}, b{0, 3, 3, 4, 7};
 
+  Vector ref{2, 3, 3, 6, 7};
   Vector result(5);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference_by_key.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference_by_key.cu
index 20758cbc629..d1a2de97be2 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference_by_key.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_symmetric_difference_by_key.cu
@@ -34,21 +34,10 @@ void TestSetSymmetricDifferenceByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(4), b_key(5);
-  Vector a_val(4), b_val(5);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4; a_key[3] = 6;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0; a_val[3] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4; b_key[4] = 7;
-  b_val[0] = 1; b_val[1] = 1; b_val[2] = 1; b_val[3] = 1; b_val[4] = 1;
-
-  Vector ref_key(5), ref_val(5);
-  ref_key[0] = 2; ref_key[1] = 3; ref_key[2] = 3; ref_key[3] = 6; ref_key[4] = 7;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 1; ref_val[2] = 1; ref_val[3] = 0; ref_val[4] = 1;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4, 6}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4, 7};
+  Vector a_val(4, 0), b_val(5, 1);
 
+  Vector ref_key{2, 3, 3, 6, 7}, ref_val{0, 1, 1, 0, 1};
   Vector result_key(5), result_val(5);
 
   using iter_pair = thrust::pair<Iterator, Iterator>;
@@ -94,21 +83,10 @@ void TestSetSymmetricDifferenceByKeyCudaStreams()
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(4), b_key(5);
-  Vector a_val(4), b_val(5);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4; a_key[3] = 6;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0; a_val[3] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4; b_key[4] = 7;
-  b_val[0] = 1; b_val[1] = 1; b_val[2] = 1; b_val[3] = 1; b_val[4] = 1;
-
-  Vector ref_key(5), ref_val(5);
-  ref_key[0] = 2; ref_key[1] = 3; ref_key[2] = 3; ref_key[3] = 6; ref_key[4] = 7;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 1; ref_val[2] = 1; ref_val[3] = 0; ref_val[4] = 1;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4, 6}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4, 7};
+  Vector a_val(4, 0), b_val(5, 1);
 
+  Vector ref_key{2, 3, 3, 6, 7}, ref_val{0, 1, 1, 0, 1};
   Vector result_key(5), result_val(5);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union.cu
index d03ceb1ebc6..307b35e26bf 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union.cu
@@ -23,16 +23,9 @@ void TestSetUnionDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a(3), b(4);
-
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4;
-
-  Vector ref(5);
-  ref[0] = 0; ref[1] = 2; ref[2] = 3; ref[3] = 3; ref[4] = 4;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4}, b{0, 3, 3, 4};
 
+  Vector ref{0, 2, 3, 3, 4};
   Vector result(5);
   thrust::device_vector<Iterator> end_vec(1);
 
@@ -64,16 +57,9 @@ void TestSetUnionCudaStreams()
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a(3), b(4);
-
-  a[0] = 0; a[1] = 2; a[2] = 4;
-  b[0] = 0; b[1] = 3; b[2] = 3; b[3] = 4;
-
-  Vector ref(5);
-  ref[0] = 0; ref[1] = 2; ref[2] = 3; ref[3] = 3; ref[4] = 4;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a{0, 2, 4}, b{0, 3, 3, 4};
 
+  Vector ref{0, 2, 3, 3, 4};
   Vector result(5);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union_by_key.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union_by_key.cu
index ef74da239c1..a869217310b 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union_by_key.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/set_union_by_key.cu
@@ -34,21 +34,10 @@ void TestSetUnionByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(3), b_key(4);
-  Vector a_val(3), b_val(4);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4;
-  b_val[0] = 1; b_val[1] = 1; b_val[2] = 1; b_val[3] = 1;
-
-  Vector ref_key(5), ref_val(5);
-  ref_key[0] = 0; ref_key[1] = 2; ref_key[2] = 3; ref_key[3] = 3; ref_key[4] = 4;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 0; ref_val[2] = 1; ref_val[3] = 1; ref_val[4] = 0;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4};
+  Vector a_val(3, 0), b_val(4, 1);
 
+  Vector ref_key{0, 2, 3, 3, 4}, ref_val{0, 0, 1, 1, 0};
   Vector result_key(5), result_val(5);
 
   thrust::device_vector<thrust::pair<Iterator, Iterator>> end_vec(1);
@@ -93,21 +82,10 @@ void TestSetUnionByKeyCudaStreams()
   using Vector   = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using Iterator = Vector::iterator;
 
-  Vector a_key(3), b_key(4);
-  Vector a_val(3), b_val(4);
-
-  // clang-format off
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4;
-  b_val[0] = 1; b_val[1] = 1; b_val[2] = 1; b_val[3] = 1;
-
-  Vector ref_key(5), ref_val(5);
-  ref_key[0] = 0; ref_key[1] = 2; ref_key[2] = 3; ref_key[3] = 3; ref_key[4] = 4;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 0; ref_val[2] = 1; ref_val[3] = 1; ref_val[4] = 0;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4};
+  Vector a_val(3, 0), b_val(4, 1);
 
+  Vector ref_key{0, 2, 3, 3, 4}, ref_val{0, 0, 1, 1, 0};
   Vector result_key(5), result_val(5);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/sort.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/sort.cu
index 6962a396404..2495718da75 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/sort.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/sort.cu
@@ -98,18 +98,7 @@ VariableUnitTest<TestSortDeviceDevice, unittest::type_list<unittest::int8_t, uni
 
 void TestSortCudaStreams()
 {
-  thrust::device_vector<int> keys(10);
-
-  keys[0] = 9;
-  keys[1] = 3;
-  keys[2] = 2;
-  keys[3] = 0;
-  keys[4] = 4;
-  keys[5] = 7;
-  keys[6] = 8;
-  keys[7] = 1;
-  keys[8] = 5;
-  keys[9] = 6;
+  thrust::device_vector<int> keys{9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
@@ -125,18 +114,7 @@ DECLARE_UNITTEST(TestSortCudaStreams);
 
 void TestComparisonSortCudaStreams()
 {
-  thrust::device_vector<int> keys(10);
-
-  keys[0] = 9;
-  keys[1] = 3;
-  keys[2] = 2;
-  keys[3] = 0;
-  keys[4] = 4;
-  keys[5] = 7;
-  keys[6] = 8;
-  keys[7] = 1;
-  keys[8] = 5;
-  keys[9] = 6;
+  thrust::device_vector<int> keys{9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/sort_by_key.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/sort_by_key.cu
index a2c81d73bc9..5a547a38c72 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/sort_by_key.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/sort_by_key.cu
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ VariableUnitTest<TestSortByKeyDeviceDevice, unittest::type_list<unittest::int8_t
 
 void TestComparisonSortByKeyCudaStreams()
 {
-  thrust::device_vector<int> keys = {9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
-  thrust::device_vector<int> vals = {9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
+  thrust::device_vector<int> keys{9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
+  thrust::device_vector<int> vals{9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
@@ -111,8 +111,8 @@ DECLARE_UNITTEST(TestComparisonSortByKeyCudaStreams);
 
 void TestSortByKeyCudaStreams()
 {
-  thrust::device_vector<int> keys = {9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
-  thrust::device_vector<int> vals = {9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
+  thrust::device_vector<int> keys{9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
+  thrust::device_vector<int> vals{9, 3, 2, 0, 4, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/swap_ranges.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/swap_ranges.cu
index 3616b3fb4e7..e88d53844bf 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/swap_ranges.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/swap_ranges.cu
@@ -15,35 +15,17 @@ void TestSwapRangesDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 {
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
 
-  Vector v1(5);
-  v1[0] = 0;
-  v1[1] = 1;
-  v1[2] = 2;
-  v1[3] = 3;
-  v1[4] = 4;
-
-  Vector v2(5);
-  v2[0] = 5;
-  v2[1] = 6;
-  v2[2] = 7;
-  v2[3] = 8;
-  v2[4] = 9;
+  Vector v1{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  Vector v2{5, 6, 7, 8, 9};
 
   swap_ranges_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v1.begin(), v1.end(), v2.begin());
   cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
   ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[0], 5);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[1], 6);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[2], 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[3], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[4], 9);
-
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[4], 4);
+  Vector v1_ref(v2);
+  Vector v2_ref(v1);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1, v1_ref);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2, v1_ref);
 }
 
 void TestSwapRangesDeviceSeq()
@@ -63,19 +45,8 @@ void TestSwapRangesCudaStreams()
 {
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
 
-  Vector v1(5);
-  v1[0] = 0;
-  v1[1] = 1;
-  v1[2] = 2;
-  v1[3] = 3;
-  v1[4] = 4;
-
-  Vector v2(5);
-  v2[0] = 5;
-  v2[1] = 6;
-  v2[2] = 7;
-  v2[3] = 8;
-  v2[4] = 9;
+  Vector v1{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  Vector v2{5, 6, 7, 8, 9};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
@@ -83,17 +54,10 @@ void TestSwapRangesCudaStreams()
   thrust::swap_ranges(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v1.begin(), v1.end(), v2.begin());
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[0], 5);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[1], 6);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[2], 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[3], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1[4], 9);
-
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[4], 4);
+  Vector v1_ref(v2);
+  Vector v2_ref(v1);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v1, v1_ref);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2, v1_ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/tabulate.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/tabulate.cu
index bad8b6e2c80..94d07cdbc7a 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/tabulate.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/tabulate.cu
@@ -26,11 +26,8 @@ void TestTabulateDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  Vector ref{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   tabulate_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.end(), -_1);
   {
@@ -38,11 +35,8 @@ void TestTabulateDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], -1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], -2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], -3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], -4);
+  ref = {0, -1, -2, -3, -4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   tabulate_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.end(), _1 * _1 * _1);
   {
@@ -50,11 +44,8 @@ void TestTabulateDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 27);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 64);
+  ref = {0, 1, 8, 27, 64};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 }
 
 void TestTabulateDeviceSeq()
@@ -84,29 +75,20 @@ void TestTabulateCudaStreams()
   thrust::tabulate(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end(), thrust::identity<T>());
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  Vector ref{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   thrust::tabulate(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end(), -_1);
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], -1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], -2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], -3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], -4);
+  ref = {0, -1, -2, -3, -4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   thrust::tabulate(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end(), _1 * _1 * _1);
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 27);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 64);
+  ref = {0, 1, 8, 27, 64};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 }
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/transform.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/transform.cu
index 3fd3ed22470..bd9f8006db1 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/transform.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/transform.cu
@@ -19,15 +19,9 @@ void TestTransformUnaryDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   typename Vector::iterator iter;
 
-  Vector input(3);
+  Vector input{1, -2, 3};
   Vector output(3);
-  Vector result(3);
-  input[0]  = 1;
-  input[1]  = -2;
-  input[2]  = 3;
-  result[0] = -1;
-  result[1] = 2;
-  result[2] = -3;
+  Vector result{-1, 2, -3};
 
   thrust::device_vector<typename Vector::iterator> iter_vec(1);
 
@@ -79,19 +73,9 @@ void TestTransformIfUnaryNoStencilDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   typename Vector::iterator iter;
 
-  Vector input(3);
-  Vector output(3);
-  Vector result(3);
-
-  input[0]  = 0;
-  input[1]  = -2;
-  input[2]  = 0;
-  output[0] = -1;
-  output[1] = -2;
-  output[2] = -3;
-  result[0] = -1;
-  result[1] = 2;
-  result[2] = -3;
+  Vector input{0, -2, 0};
+  Vector output{-1, -2, -3};
+  Vector result{-1, 2, -3};
 
   thrust::device_vector<typename Vector::iterator> iter_vec(1);
 
@@ -146,23 +130,10 @@ void TestTransformIfUnaryDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   typename Vector::iterator iter;
 
-  Vector input(3);
-  Vector stencil(3);
-  Vector output(3);
-  Vector result(3);
-
-  input[0]   = 1;
-  input[1]   = -2;
-  input[2]   = 3;
-  output[0]  = 1;
-  output[1]  = 2;
-  output[2]  = 3;
-  stencil[0] = 1;
-  stencil[1] = 0;
-  stencil[2] = 1;
-  result[0]  = -1;
-  result[1]  = 2;
-  result[2]  = -3;
+  Vector input{1, -2, 3};
+  Vector stencil{1, 0, 1};
+  Vector output{1, 2, 3};
+  Vector result{-1, 2, -3};
 
   thrust::device_vector<typename Vector::iterator> iter_vec(1);
 
@@ -222,19 +193,10 @@ void TestTransformBinaryDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   typename Vector::iterator iter;
 
-  Vector input1(3);
-  Vector input2(3);
+  Vector input1{1, -2, 3};
+  Vector input2{-4, 5, 6};
   Vector output(3);
-  Vector result(3);
-  input1[0] = 1;
-  input1[1] = -2;
-  input1[2] = 3;
-  input2[0] = -4;
-  input2[1] = 5;
-  input2[2] = 6;
-  result[0] = 5;
-  result[1] = -7;
-  result[2] = -3;
+  Vector result{5, -7, -3};
 
   thrust::device_vector<typename Vector::iterator> iter_vec(1);
 
@@ -291,27 +253,11 @@ void TestTransformIfBinaryDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   typename Vector::iterator iter;
 
-  Vector input1(3);
-  Vector input2(3);
-  Vector stencil(3);
-  Vector output(3);
-  Vector result(3);
-
-  input1[0]  = 1;
-  input1[1]  = -2;
-  input1[2]  = 3;
-  input2[0]  = -4;
-  input2[1]  = 5;
-  input2[2]  = 6;
-  stencil[0] = 0;
-  stencil[1] = 1;
-  stencil[2] = 0;
-  output[0]  = 1;
-  output[1]  = 2;
-  output[2]  = 3;
-  result[0]  = 5;
-  result[1]  = 2;
-  result[2]  = -3;
+  Vector input1{1, -2, 3};
+  Vector input2{-4, 5, 6};
+  Vector stencil{0, 1, 0};
+  Vector output{1, 2, 3};
+  Vector result{5, 2, -3};
 
   thrust::identity<T> identity;
 
@@ -356,15 +302,9 @@ void TestTransformUnaryCudaStreams()
 
   Vector::iterator iter;
 
-  Vector input(3);
+  Vector input{1, -2, 3};
   Vector output(3);
-  Vector result(3);
-  input[0]  = 1;
-  input[1]  = -2;
-  input[2]  = 3;
-  result[0] = -1;
-  result[1] = 2;
-  result[2] = -3;
+  Vector result{-1, 2, -3};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
@@ -386,19 +326,10 @@ void TestTransformBinaryCudaStreams()
 
   Vector::iterator iter;
 
-  Vector input1(3);
-  Vector input2(3);
+  Vector input1{1, -2, 3};
+  Vector input2{-4, 5, 6};
   Vector output(3);
-  Vector result(3);
-  input1[0] = 1;
-  input1[1] = -2;
-  input1[2] = 3;
-  input2[0] = -4;
-  input2[1] = 5;
-  input2[2] = 6;
-  result[0] = 5;
-  result[1] = -7;
-  result[2] = -3;
+  Vector result{5, -7, -3};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/transform_reduce.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/transform_reduce.cu
index 2e2ea128cd2..8b35461d579 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/transform_reduce.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/transform_reduce.cu
@@ -17,11 +17,7 @@ void TestTransformReduceDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = typename Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(3);
-  data[0] = 1;
-  data[1] = -2;
-  data[2] = 3;
-
+  Vector data{1, -2, 3};
   T init = 10;
 
   thrust::device_vector<T> result(1);
@@ -52,11 +48,7 @@ void TestTransformReduceCudaStreams()
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(3);
-  data[0] = 1;
-  data[1] = -2;
-  data[2] = 3;
-
+  Vector data{1, -2, 3};
   T init = 10;
 
   cudaStream_t s;
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_copy.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_copy.cu
index 21d02e68177..bf50530c921 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_copy.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_copy.cu
@@ -15,12 +15,7 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 {
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
 
-  Vector v1(5);
-  v1[0] = 0;
-  v1[1] = 1;
-  v1[2] = 2;
-  v1[3] = 3;
-  v1[4] = 4;
+  Vector v1{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
 
   // copy to Vector
   Vector v2(5);
@@ -28,11 +23,8 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
   ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[4], 4);
+  Vector ref{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2, ref);
 }
 
 void TestUninitializedCopyDeviceSeq()
@@ -52,12 +44,7 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyCudaStreams()
 {
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
 
-  Vector v1(5);
-  v1[0] = 0;
-  v1[1] = 1;
-  v1[2] = 2;
-  v1[3] = 3;
-  v1[4] = 4;
+  Vector v1{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
 
   // copy to Vector
   Vector v2(5);
@@ -68,12 +55,7 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyCudaStreams()
   thrust::uninitialized_copy(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v1.begin(), v1.end(), v2.begin());
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[4], 4);
-
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2, v1);
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
 DECLARE_UNITTEST(TestUninitializedCopyCudaStreams);
@@ -90,12 +72,7 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyNDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 {
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
 
-  Vector v1(5);
-  v1[0] = 0;
-  v1[1] = 1;
-  v1[2] = 2;
-  v1[3] = 3;
-  v1[4] = 4;
+  Vector v1{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
 
   // copy to Vector
   Vector v2(5);
@@ -103,11 +80,7 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyNDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
   ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[4], 4);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2, v1);
 }
 
 void TestUninitializedCopyNDeviceSeq()
@@ -127,12 +100,7 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyNCudaStreams()
 {
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
 
-  Vector v1(5);
-  v1[0] = 0;
-  v1[1] = 1;
-  v1[2] = 2;
-  v1[3] = 3;
-  v1[4] = 4;
+  Vector v1{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
 
   // copy to Vector
   Vector v2(5);
@@ -142,12 +110,7 @@ void TestUninitializedCopyNCudaStreams()
 
   thrust::uninitialized_copy_n(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v1.begin(), v1.size(), v2.begin());
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
-
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[1], 1);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[2], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[3], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2[4], 4);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v2, v1);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_fill.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_fill.cu
index 90ad5abc573..a550f4375bb 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_fill.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/uninitialized_fill.cu
@@ -16,68 +16,50 @@ void TestUninitializedFillDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector v(5);
-  v[0] = 0;
-  v[1] = 1;
-  v[2] = 2;
-  v[3] = 3;
-  v[4] = 4;
+  Vector v{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  T sub(7);
 
-  T exemplar(7);
-
-  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 1, v.begin() + 4, exemplar);
+  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 1, v.begin() + 4, sub);
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  Vector ref{0, sub, sub, sub, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
-  exemplar = 8;
+  sub = 8;
 
-  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 0, v.begin() + 3, exemplar);
+  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 0, v.begin() + 3, sub);
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  ref = {sub, sub, sub, 7, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
-  exemplar = 9;
+  sub = 9;
 
-  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 2, v.end(), exemplar);
+  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 2, v.end(), sub);
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 9);
+  ref = {8, 8, sub, sub, 9};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
-  exemplar = 1;
+  sub = 1;
 
-  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.end(), exemplar);
+  uninitialized_fill_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.end(), sub);
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
   }
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], exemplar);
+  ref = Vector(5, sub);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 }
 
 void TestUninitializedFillDeviceSeq()
@@ -98,26 +80,17 @@ void TestUninitializedFillCudaStreams()
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector v(5);
-  v[0] = 0;
-  v[1] = 1;
-  v[2] = 2;
-  v[3] = 3;
-  v[4] = 4;
-
-  T exemplar(7);
+  Vector v{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  T sub(7);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
 
-  thrust::uninitialized_fill(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end(), exemplar);
+  thrust::uninitialized_fill(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.end(), sub);
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], exemplar);
+  Vector ref(v.size(), sub);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
@@ -136,18 +109,12 @@ void TestUninitializedFillNDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector v(5);
-  v[0] = 0;
-  v[1] = 1;
-  v[2] = 2;
-  v[3] = 3;
-  v[4] = 4;
-
-  T exemplar(7);
+  Vector v{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  T sub(7);
 
   thrust::device_vector<Vector::iterator> iter_vec(1);
 
-  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 1, 3, exemplar, iter_vec.begin());
+  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 1, 3, sub, iter_vec.begin());
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
@@ -155,16 +122,13 @@ void TestUninitializedFillNDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   Vector::iterator iter = iter_vec[0];
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  Vector ref{0, sub, sub, sub, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
   ASSERT_EQUAL_QUIET(v.begin() + 4, iter);
 
-  exemplar = 8;
+  sub = 8;
 
-  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 0, 3, exemplar, iter_vec.begin());
+  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 0, 3, sub, iter_vec.begin());
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
@@ -172,16 +136,13 @@ void TestUninitializedFillNDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   iter = iter_vec[0];
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 4);
+  ref = {sub, sub, sub, 7, 4};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
   ASSERT_EQUAL_QUIET(v.begin() + 3, iter);
 
-  exemplar = 9;
+  sub = 9;
 
-  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 2, 3, exemplar, iter_vec.begin());
+  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin() + 2, 3, sub, iter_vec.begin());
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
@@ -189,16 +150,13 @@ void TestUninitializedFillNDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   iter = iter_vec[0];
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], 8);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], 9);
+  ref = {8, 8, sub, sub, 9};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
   ASSERT_EQUAL_QUIET(v.end(), iter);
 
-  exemplar = 1;
+  sub = 1;
 
-  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.size(), exemplar, iter_vec.begin());
+  uninitialized_fill_n_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, v.begin(), v.size(), sub, iter_vec.begin());
   {
     cudaError_t const err = cudaDeviceSynchronize();
     ASSERT_EQUAL(cudaSuccess, err);
@@ -206,11 +164,9 @@ void TestUninitializedFillNDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
 
   iter = iter_vec[0];
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], exemplar);
+  ref = Vector(5, sub);
+
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
   ASSERT_EQUAL_QUIET(v.end(), iter);
 }
 
@@ -232,26 +188,17 @@ void TestUninitializedFillNCudaStreams()
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector v(5);
-  v[0] = 0;
-  v[1] = 1;
-  v[2] = 2;
-  v[3] = 3;
-  v[4] = 4;
-
-  T exemplar(7);
+  Vector v{0, 1, 2, 3, 4};
+  T sub(7);
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
 
-  thrust::uninitialized_fill_n(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.size(), exemplar);
+  thrust::uninitialized_fill_n(thrust::cuda::par.on(s), v.begin(), v.size(), sub);
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[0], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[1], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[2], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[3], exemplar);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(v[4], exemplar);
+  Vector ref(5, sub);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(v, ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/unique.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/unique.cu
index 90581ebe0e5..4225fe9a3ba 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/unique.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/unique.cu
@@ -32,17 +32,7 @@ void TestUniqueDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(10);
-  data[0] = 11;
-  data[1] = 11;
-  data[2] = 12;
-  data[3] = 20;
-  data[4] = 29;
-  data[5] = 21;
-  data[6] = 21;
-  data[7] = 31;
-  data[8] = 31;
-  data[9] = 37;
+  Vector data{11, 11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 21, 31, 31, 37};
 
   thrust::device_vector<Vector::iterator> new_last_vec(1);
   Vector::iterator new_last;
@@ -56,13 +46,9 @@ void TestUniqueDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - data.begin(), 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[1], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[3], 29);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[4], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[5], 31);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[6], 37);
+  data.erase(new_last, data.end());
+  Vector ref{11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 31, 37}; // should we consider calculating ref from std::algorithm if exists?
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(data, ref);
 
   unique_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(exec, data.begin(), new_last, is_equal_div_10_unique<T>(), new_last_vec.begin());
   {
@@ -73,9 +59,9 @@ void TestUniqueDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - data.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[1], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[2], 31);
+  data.erase(new_last, data.end());
+  ref = {11, 20, 31};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(data, ref);
 }
 
 void TestUniqueDeviceSeq()
@@ -103,17 +89,7 @@ void TestUniqueCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(10);
-  data[0] = 11;
-  data[1] = 11;
-  data[2] = 12;
-  data[3] = 20;
-  data[4] = 29;
-  data[5] = 21;
-  data[6] = 21;
-  data[7] = 31;
-  data[8] = 31;
-  data[9] = 37;
+  Vector data{11, 11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 21, 31, 31, 37};
 
   thrust::device_vector<Vector::iterator> new_last_vec(1);
   Vector::iterator new_last;
@@ -127,21 +103,17 @@ void TestUniqueCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - data.begin(), 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[1], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[3], 29);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[4], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[5], 31);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[6], 37);
+  data.erase(new_last, data.end());
+  Vector ref{11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 31, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(data, ref);
 
   new_last = thrust::unique(streampolicy, data.begin(), new_last, is_equal_div_10_unique<T>());
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - data.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[1], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[2], 31);
+  data.erase(new_last, data.end());
+  ref = {11, 20, 31};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(data, ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
@@ -179,17 +151,7 @@ void TestUniqueCopyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(10);
-  data[0] = 11;
-  data[1] = 11;
-  data[2] = 12;
-  data[3] = 20;
-  data[4] = 29;
-  data[5] = 21;
-  data[6] = 21;
-  data[7] = 31;
-  data[8] = 31;
-  data[9] = 37;
+  Vector data{11, 11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 21, 31, 31, 37};
 
   Vector output(10, -1);
 
@@ -205,13 +167,9 @@ void TestUniqueCopyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - output.begin(), 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[1], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[3], 29);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[4], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[5], 31);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[6], 37);
+  output.erase(new_last, output.end());
+  Vector ref{11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 31, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(output, ref);
 
   unique_copy_kernel<<<1, 1>>>(
     exec, output.begin(), new_last, data.begin(), is_equal_div_10_unique<T>(), new_last_vec.begin());
@@ -223,9 +181,9 @@ void TestUniqueCopyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - data.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[1], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[2], 31);
+  data.erase(new_last, data.end());
+  ref = {11, 20, 31};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(data, ref);
 }
 
 void TestUniqueCopyDeviceSeq()
@@ -253,17 +211,7 @@ void TestUniqueCopyCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(10);
-  data[0] = 11;
-  data[1] = 11;
-  data[2] = 12;
-  data[3] = 20;
-  data[4] = 29;
-  data[5] = 21;
-  data[6] = 21;
-  data[7] = 31;
-  data[8] = 31;
-  data[9] = 37;
+  Vector data{11, 11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 21, 31, 31, 37};
 
   Vector output(10, -1);
 
@@ -279,21 +227,17 @@ void TestUniqueCopyCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - output.begin(), 7);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[1], 12);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[3], 29);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[4], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[5], 31);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output[6], 37);
+  output.erase(new_last, output.end());
+  Vector ref{11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 31, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(output, ref);
 
   new_last = thrust::unique_copy(streampolicy, output.begin(), new_last, data.begin(), is_equal_div_10_unique<T>());
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last - data.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[1], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(data[2], 31);
+  data.erase(new_last, data.end());
+  ref = {11, 20, 31};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(data, ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
@@ -330,17 +274,7 @@ void TestUniqueCountDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(10);
-  data[0] = 11;
-  data[1] = 11;
-  data[2] = 12;
-  data[3] = 20;
-  data[4] = 29;
-  data[5] = 21;
-  data[6] = 21;
-  data[7] = 31;
-  data[8] = 31;
-  data[9] = 37;
+  Vector data{11, 11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 21, 31, 31, 37};
 
   Vector output(1, -1);
 
@@ -386,17 +320,7 @@ void TestUniqueCountCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   using Vector = thrust::device_vector<int>;
   using T      = Vector::value_type;
 
-  Vector data(10);
-  data[0] = 11;
-  data[1] = 11;
-  data[2] = 12;
-  data[3] = 20;
-  data[4] = 29;
-  data[5] = 21;
-  data[6] = 21;
-  data[7] = 31;
-  data[8] = 31;
-  data[9] = 37;
+  Vector data{11, 11, 12, 20, 29, 21, 21, 31, 31, 37};
 
   cudaStream_t s;
   cudaStreamCreate(&s);
diff --git a/thrust/testing/cuda/unique_by_key.cu b/thrust/testing/cuda/unique_by_key.cu
index 012a3745804..f6bb8067927 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/cuda/unique_by_key.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/cuda/unique_by_key.cu
@@ -17,30 +17,14 @@ template <typename Vector>
 void initialize_keys(Vector& keys)
 {
   keys.resize(9);
-  keys[0] = 11;
-  keys[1] = 11;
-  keys[2] = 21;
-  keys[3] = 20;
-  keys[4] = 21;
-  keys[5] = 21;
-  keys[6] = 21;
-  keys[7] = 37;
-  keys[8] = 37;
+  keys = {11, 11, 21, 20, 21, 21, 21, 37, 37};
 }
 
 template <typename Vector>
 void initialize_values(Vector& values)
 {
   values.resize(9);
-  values[0] = 0;
-  values[1] = 1;
-  values[2] = 2;
-  values[3] = 3;
-  values[4] = 4;
-  values[5] = 5;
-  values[6] = 6;
-  values[7] = 7;
-  values[8] = 8;
+  values = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8};
 }
 
 #ifdef THRUST_TEST_DEVICE_SIDE
@@ -89,18 +73,14 @@ void TestUniqueByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - keys.begin(), 5);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  Vector keys_ref{11, 21, 20, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
+
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - values.begin(), 5);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[3], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[4], 37);
-
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[2], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[3], 4);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[4], 7);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - values.begin());
+  Vector values_ref{0, 2, 3, 4, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 
   // test BinaryPredicate
   initialize_keys(keys);
@@ -116,14 +96,14 @@ void TestUniqueByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - keys.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - values.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[2], 37);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  keys_ref = {11, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[2], 7);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - values.begin(), 3);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - values.begin());
+  values_ref = {0, 2, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 }
 
 void TestUniqueByKeyDeviceSeq()
@@ -170,18 +150,14 @@ void TestUniqueByKeyCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - keys.begin(), 5);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  Vector keys_ref{11, 21, 20, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
+
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - values.begin(), 5);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[3], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[4], 37);
-
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[2], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[3], 4);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[4], 7);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - values.begin());
+  Vector values_ref{0, 2, 3, 4, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 
   // test BinaryPredicate
   initialize_keys(keys);
@@ -190,14 +166,14 @@ void TestUniqueByKeyCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   new_last = thrust::unique_by_key(streampolicy, keys.begin(), keys.end(), values.begin(), is_equal_div_10_unique<T>());
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - keys.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - values.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys[2], 37);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  keys_ref = {11, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(values[2], 7);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - values.begin(), 3);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - values.begin());
+  values_ref = {0, 2, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
@@ -283,18 +259,14 @@ void TestUniqueCopyByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - output_keys.begin(), 5);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  Vector keys_ref{11, 21, 20, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
+
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - output_values.begin(), 5);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[3], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[4], 37);
-
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[2], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[3], 4);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[4], 7);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - output_values.begin());
+  Vector values_ref{0, 2, 3, 4, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 
   // test BinaryPredicate
   initialize_keys(keys);
@@ -317,14 +289,15 @@ void TestUniqueCopyByKeyDevice(ExecutionPolicy exec)
   new_last = new_last_vec[0];
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - output_keys.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - output_values.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[2], 37);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[2], 7);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  keys_ref = {11, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
+
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - output_values.begin(), 3);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - output_values.begin());
+  values_ref = {0, 2, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 }
 
 void TestUniqueCopyByKeyDeviceSeq()
@@ -375,18 +348,14 @@ void TestUniqueCopyByKeyCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - output_keys.begin(), 5);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  Vector keys_ref{11, 21, 20, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
+
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - output_values.begin(), 5);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[2], 20);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[3], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[4], 37);
-
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[2], 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[3], 4);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[4], 7);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - output_values.begin());
+  Vector values_ref{0, 2, 3, 4, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 
   // test BinaryPredicate
   initialize_keys(keys);
@@ -403,14 +372,14 @@ void TestUniqueCopyByKeyCudaStreams(ExecutionPolicy policy)
   cudaStreamSynchronize(s);
 
   ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.first - output_keys.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - output_values.begin(), 3);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[0], 11);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[1], 21);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_keys[2], 37);
+  keys.resize(new_last.first - keys.begin());
+  keys_ref = {11, 21, 37};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(keys, keys_ref);
 
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[0], 0);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[1], 2);
-  ASSERT_EQUAL(output_values[2], 7);
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(new_last.second - output_values.begin(), 3);
+  values.resize(new_last.second - output_values.begin());
+  values_ref = {0, 2, 7};
+  ASSERT_EQUAL(values, values_ref);
 
   cudaStreamDestroy(s);
 }
diff --git a/thrust/testing/set_union_by_key.cu b/thrust/testing/set_union_by_key.cu
index ee7effd6a9b..85ac2dcbff5 100644
--- a/thrust/testing/set_union_by_key.cu
+++ b/thrust/testing/set_union_by_key.cu
@@ -82,21 +82,10 @@ void TestSetUnionByKeySimple()
 {
   using Iterator = typename Vector::iterator;
 
-  // clang-format off
-  Vector a_key(3), b_key(4);
-  Vector a_val(3), b_val(4);
-
-  a_key[0] = 0; a_key[1] = 2; a_key[2] = 4;
-  a_val[0] = 0; a_val[1] = 0; a_val[2] = 0;
-
-  b_key[0] = 0; b_key[1] = 3; b_key[2] = 3; b_key[3] = 4;
-  b_val[0] = 1; b_val[1] = 1; b_val[2] = 1; b_val[3] = 1;
-
-  Vector ref_key(5), ref_val(5);
-  ref_key[0] = 0; ref_key[1] = 2; ref_key[2] = 3; ref_key[3] = 3; ref_key[4] = 4;
-  ref_val[0] = 0; ref_val[1] = 0; ref_val[2] = 1; ref_val[3] = 1; ref_val[4] = 0;
-  // clang-format on
+  Vector a_key{0, 2, 4}, b_key{0, 3, 3, 4};
+  Vector a_val(3, 0), b_val(4, 1);
 
+  Vector ref_key{0, 2, 3, 3, 4}, ref_val{0, 0, 1, 1, 0};
   Vector result_key(5), result_val(5);
 
   thrust::pair<Iterator, Iterator> end = thrust::set_union_by_key(