2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was a compact SUV that captured attention with its classic Jeep design elements, including the iconic round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a range of trim levels, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, and special editions like the Jeepster and High Altitude. The High Altitude trim, which we tested, came with a price tag of $36,515, featuring extras like dark gray 19-inch wheels and a dual-pane panoramic glass roof. Despite its luxurious touches, the Renegade's interior was dominated by hard plastics, which detracted from its upscale aspirations.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was a large, American-made SUV that harkened back to Buick's glory days with its impressive size and presence. Available in trims like Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, the Enclave's pricing ranged from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Avenir trim added a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with soft leather and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its controls, with the exception of a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder producing 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and the Active Drive AWD system. While the turbo engine provided energetic performance, it suffered from turbo lag and a transmission focused on fuel economy, leading to inconsistent power delivery. The Renegade's driving dynamics were marred by a flinty ride and noisy cabin, though the Trailhawk trim excelled in off-road capability.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, came equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave's V6 offered strong acceleration, and the SUV handled like a smaller vehicle despite its size. Our test vehicle, equipped with FWD, featured the Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive across various driving conditions, and it achieved an average fuel economy of 21.2 mpg, with a potential range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

Inside the 2020 Jeep Renegade, the boxy design resulted in a spacious feel, with a distant windshield and vertical side glass. The panoramic glass roof added to the sense of openness. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but rear-seat space was cramped, and there were limited storage options. Cargo capacity was modest, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.8 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, being one of the largest SUVs in its class, provided ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured luxurious seating with massage functions, heating, and ventilation. The Enclave's interior was quiet, thanks to Active Noise Cancellation and laminated glass. The third-row seat was genuinely usable, and cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade impressed with its Uconnect infotainment system, featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, though starting to show its age. The Renegade also offered a comprehensive driver information center and a parking assist system.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, it fell short in 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. The Enclave did offer a rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed of the rear view.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, some features lacked refinement. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection. The IIHS gave it commendable scores but did not award it a Top Safety Pick.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were limited to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control was only available with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.