2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior was a mix of high and low-quality materials. While the wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims added a touch of luxury, they clashed with the cheaper plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a basic commodity car.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was a large, impressive SUV that harkened back to Buick's glory days. It was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a spacious and comfortable ride for up to seven passengers. The Enclave's design was elegant, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a luxurious interior with soft, perforated leather, a minimalist dashboard, and tasteful polished accents. Despite its upscale appearance, the wood trim was not genuine, and the electronic transmission shifter required some getting used to.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, despite some initial sluggishness, provided a smooth and responsive driving experience. The CR-V's car-like handling and nimble steering made it feel more like a small sedan than an SUV. Its lightweight design contributed to excellent fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg. The CR-V's performance was further enhanced by its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a choice between FWD and AWD. The Enclave's V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission ensured smooth shifts. The Enclave's ride was comfortable and composed, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank. Despite its size, the Enclave handled well, though its steering response could have been quicker.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality. Its cabin was spacious, offering ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The CR-V's clever packaging included a deep center console with a sliding cover, inspired by the Honda Odyssey minivan, and a two-position load floor in the rear. This allowed for a maximum cargo space of 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's door pockets were also generously sized, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, providing a roomy and comfortable interior for up to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with a massaging function, as well as a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs and third-row bench seat offered flexibility, though a second-row bench was not available. The Enclave's cargo space was impressive, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system was showing its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and its smartphone integration felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with a wireless phone charger available in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times and a simple user interface. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the Enclave's technology fell short in terms of screen size and smart home integration. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave did offer a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what's behind the vehicle.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The CR-V earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though lower trims had marginal headlight performance.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.