2020 Cadillac XT4 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 employed a “Y” trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle, equipped with Premium Luxury trim, featured front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. Visually, the XT4 was one of the most appealing Cadillac crossovers, with crisp, tailored styling and proper proportions, though it had an excessive front overhang. Inside, the cabin was pleasant with competitive quality materials, despite some shortcuts like the plain black trim around the power window controls.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, a large and impressive SUV, harkened back to Buick’s glory days while addressing modern consumer preferences for SUVs. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave ranged from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. The Avenir trim added extra presence with a unique grille pattern, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation, and tasteful polished accents. The leather seats were soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered, though the wood trim was not genuine. The Enclave’s simplicity extended to its controls, except for the fussy electronic transmission shifter.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the EPA rating the FWD XT4 at 26 mpg. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4’s lively driving character was attributed to its fat band of torque, though the optional twin-clutch AWD system was recommended to limit front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, albeit less frequently, in Sport mode. The XT4’s interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps. However, the oversized wheels offered impressive grip, and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission, available with FWD or AWD, never missed a shift. The Enclave’s acceleration was strong, and it drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The test vehicle, priced at $57,090, included the Avenir Technology Package, which added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking at highway speeds. The suspension excelled in various driving environments, from residential streets to highways. The Enclave’s steering and brake response were commendable, though quicker steering response would be beneficial. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.2 mpg, allowing for up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated, and the rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4’s air conditioning system was highly effective, rapidly cooling the interior during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space. However, the XT4’s cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, one of the largest SUVs in its class, provided a roomy and comfortable cabin for six people (seven if necessary). The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with a basic massaging function and a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The center console offered storage and comfort, with a cover for the cupholders. The Enclave’s seven-passenger seating included second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat. The third-row seat was genuinely useful, with commendable room and easy access. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth for two devices. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, and there were intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen needed to be larger, and the climate system should be integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked some features like a head-up display (HUD) or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment technology met basic expectations but needed improvement to compete in the premium SUV segment. The Buick Infotainment System responded quickly to inputs, and the user interface was simple and logical. The Enclave 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 was the largest available, and the Enclave lacked Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration. The 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The available rear camera mirror showed a live video view of what was behind the Enclave, a useful feature.

For the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment list. These features joined a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two free years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury or Sport trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control required the Driver Assist Package, which also included high-speed automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. The XT4 received a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in its safety systems, as many features were restricted to the most expensive trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert required an upgrade to Essence trim. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking required the Avenir trim and the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave high marks across the board, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.