2020 Audi Q7 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also new for 2020. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle, upgraded to Prestige, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290. Design updates included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, enhancing the Q7’s appearance. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech vibe, with multi-color ambient lighting adding a soothing ambiance at night.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, a large SUV, continued to tether Buick to its glorious past while addressing current consumer preferences for SUVs. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, pricing ranged from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000, including the $1,195 destination charge. Competing with higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and lower-priced luxury models, the Enclave boasted a stylish design, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir offered an upscale theme with organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, and tasteful polished accents. The soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather seats imparted a sense of luxury, though the wood was not genuine. The Enclave’s simplicity extended to its fussy electronic transmission shifter, which became intuitive with use.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system powered by a lithium-ion battery, enhancing fuel efficiency. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Q7 offered several driving modes through Audi Drive Select. The 55 TFSI drivetrain accelerated the 5,082-pound SUV from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, with a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated 18 mpg combined, but during testing, the Q7 averaged 21 mpg. The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, adjustable through Audi Drive Select, and the Q7 demonstrated agility and athleticism on various terrains. The cabin remained remarkably quiet, thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The V6’s low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The test vehicle, equipped with FWD, occasionally spun its tires before traction control intervened. The Avenir Technology Package, priced at $57,090, included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. The suspension provided a smooth ride across various driving conditions, and the Enclave averaged 21.2 mpg on a 140-mile testing loop. With a 21.7-gallon fuel tank, the Enclave could travel up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 Audi Q7, though a three-row SUV, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat, suitable only for young children, required sliding the second-row seats forward, reducing cargo space to 14.2 cubic feet. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7’s interior, with eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, offered comfort for long trips. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and thigh support, with four-zone climate control, heated rear cushions, and rear side window shades ensuring passenger comfort. However, practical interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen occupying most available space. Second-row occupants had netted storage on the front seatbacks and door-panel bins, with cupholders deploying from the center armrest.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, one of the largest SUVs in its class, offered spacious and comfortable seating for six (seven if needed). The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and a basic massaging function, while the front passenger seat was 10-way power-adjustable with matching massage. Both seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The center console provided storage under the transmission shifter and in a bin beneath the center armrest, with a cover for the cupholders. The Enclave’s third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through the large rear doors and between the captain’s chairs. Cargo space measured 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the MMI Touch Response was an improvement, dry fingertips sometimes made the virtual buttons unresponsive. The user interface was intuitive, and once set up, required minimal interaction. The Prestige trim featured a full-color head-up display, though it was invisible with polarized sunglasses. The test vehicle had a Bose premium sound system, which Audi replaced with a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response, adequate voice recognition, and a simple user interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the 8-inch touchscreen display was the largest available, and the Enclave lacked Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration. The 10-speaker Bose sound system was also less impressive compared to competitors. The available rear camera mirror provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave, enhancing rear visibility.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which performed exceptionally well during night driving, despite the IIHS rating them as "poor" due to excessive glare. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS), with upgrades available through the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assistance, and lane-centering assistance. However, the traffic-sign-recognition technology occasionally misread signs, causing abrupt braking. The Active Lane Assist technology also proved problematic on certain roads. The IIHS gave the Q7 the highest ratings for collision protection, with only the headlight assessment preventing a "Top Safety Pick+" nod.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s safety systems worked well but were limited to higher trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology. The NHTSA gave the Enclave a five-star overall rating, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.