2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was significantly larger than its siblings, the two-row QX50 and three-row QX60. For 2020, it was available in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern features such as welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting with auto-leveling functionality. The upscale cabin featured soft-touch materials, though some trim pieces lagged behind competitors. The infotainment system was updated to a sleeker, more modern display, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's recovery from past design missteps. As the largest of Buick's four SUVs, the Enclave was available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with prices ranging from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Enclave's exterior, especially in Avenir trim, featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, giving it a premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir offered a minimalist design with soft, perforated leather seats and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The cabin was spacious and quiet, thanks to Buick’s QuietTuning efforts, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated windshield glass.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Despite its heavy build, the QX80's powertrain managed the load well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD model dropped to 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and its optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped keep it grounded around turns. The standard rear auto-leveling suspension provided a smooth ride, and the SUV had an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

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 Enclave offered both FWD and AWD options, with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The V6's low torque peak provided strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic delivered smooth shifts. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, enhanced the Enclave's ride and handling. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 21.2 mpg, allowing for up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row was cramped, suitable only for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included captain’s chairs in the second row, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, and Alcantara seats with quilting and contrast stitching were also offered. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable, both with lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated second-row seats available. The QX80 provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering roomy seating for six or seven passengers. 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, both heated and ventilated. The Enclave’s third-row seat was more spacious than many competitors, and access was easy through the large rear doors and between the captain’s chairs. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came standard with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Upgrades included two 8.0-inch rear-seat displays, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a WiFi hotspot. The standard 13-speaker Bose stereo could be upgraded to a 17-speaker system. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern in design.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, good 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 was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was less impressive compared to competitors. The Enclave also offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what’s behind the SUV.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, being an older model, lacked some of the latest driver-assist features but still offered a good roster of standard and available technology. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 received "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had better side crashworthiness ratings from the NHTSA.

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 starting from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, which included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. 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 across the board, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.