2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a practical choice for long-term ownership. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test SUV looked impressive, though the taillight shape and body-colored C-pillar were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos, which elicited mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious touches, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a significant recovery for the brand after a period of decline. As the largest of Buick's four SUVs, the Enclave maintained a connection to the brand's past while catering to modern consumer preferences. The Avenir trim added a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appearance. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft, perforated leather. However, the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple yet elegant, with the only drawback being the fussy electronic transmission shifter, which users quickly adapted to.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided robust acceleration and a pleasant exhaust note. The Expedition offered a choice between rear-wheel drive and an optional four-wheel-drive system, with a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds for the standard version and 9,000 pounds for the MAX version. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, though the 22-inch wheels sometimes caused a busy ride on imperfect pavement. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling while maximizing interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, the Enclave offered strong acceleration and a smooth driving experience. The Avenir Technology Package, with its premium-tuned suspension and automatic emergency braking, further enhanced the ride quality. The Enclave's suspension performed admirably across various driving conditions, providing a comfortable and controlled ride. Fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 21.2 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy entry, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The center console provided convenient storage options, and the second-row captain's chairs were heated. The third-row seat was comfortable and accessible, with commendable room behind it, measuring 23.6 cubic feet. Folding the third row expanded the cargo space to 58 cubic feet, with a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2020 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, with its 8-inch touchscreen, fell short of expectations for a vehicle of this size and price. While easy to use, it was sometimes slow to respond. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature was particularly useful for towing, allowing the driver to control the trailer's direction with a dashboard knob.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, user-friendly interface, and standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave also lacked smart home digital assistant integration and had short free trial periods for connected services. The rear camera mirror, which provided a live video feed of the rear view, was a notable feature.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition received a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the Expedition at the time of review.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were less comprehensive, with features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available only on higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, 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 and enhanced automatic emergency braking were available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. IIHS gave high marks across the board, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.