2021 Buick Enclave vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, updated in 2019, carried over to 2020 with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, giving it a crossover version of the Fusion look. Inside, the Edge showed its age with a layout unchanged since 2015, despite subtle updates. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged controls, but the rotary shifter was a contemporary design cue. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, though marred by heavy use of hard plastics.

The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims. The SE trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The SEL trim added features like LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, and synthetic leather upholstery. The Titanium trim offered 19-inch wheels, genuine leather upholstery, and a B&O by Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker premium sound system. The ST trim, the performance variant, included a more powerful engine, standard AWD, and sportier styling.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, the largest of Buick’s four SUVs, was a nod to the brand’s past while catering to modern SUV preferences. It was available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with prices ranging from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. The Enclave had a premium look, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Avenir trim boasted a minimalist design with soft, perforated leather seats, though the wood accents were not genuine.

The Enclave’s interior was spacious and quiet, thanks to Buick’s QuietTuning, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with a basic massaging function, a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and heated and ventilated seats. The Enclave offered seven-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat. The third-row seat was roomy and accessible, and the Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge’s suspension was designed for American roads, offering a smooth and engaging ride. The sporty Edge ST trim featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, standard AWD, and sportier handling. The ST’s Sport mode enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping, making it a fun-to-drive option.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6’s low torque peak provided strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, offered a premium-tuned ride with continuously variable damping. The Enclave’s steering and brake response were well-balanced, and it achieved an average of 21.2 mpg during testing. The Enclave’s maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2020 Ford Edge’s cabin layout was one of its strengths, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of storage compartments. The second-row seats provided ample head- and legroom, and the Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The SEL and Titanium trims included a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering a spacious and quiet cabin for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with a massaging function, a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and heated and ventilated seats. The Enclave’s third-row seat was roomy and accessible, and it provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system was user-friendly, with a helpful home button and easy navigation. The Edge also included two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system. The Titanium trim offered a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic updates.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size and smart home digital assistant integration. The Enclave featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. The Avenir trim’s 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the Enclave offered a rear camera mirror for a live video view of what’s behind the vehicle.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package with adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s safety features were limited to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control was available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated Marginal.