2021 Buick Enclave vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style and functionality, positioning itself between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a distinct profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs and optional air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, along with standard 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave embraced its American roots with a large, impressive design that catered to the SUV market's growing demand. As Buick's largest SUV, the Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with the Avenir trim adding a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. The interior featured a minimalist design with organic forms and polished accents, providing a sense of luxury. The Enclave's seats were wrapped in soft leather, and the cabin was designed to be quiet and serene, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts. Despite its size, the Enclave managed to deliver a comfortable and composed ride, making it a strong contender in the premium SUV segment.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, as competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offered quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both offering respectable performance.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration and a smooth driving experience. The Enclave's V6 engine was notable for its low torque peak, which contributed to its impressive towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave's ride quality was enhanced by the Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping. This setup allowed the Enclave to handle a variety of driving conditions with ease, from urban streets to highway cruising. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in the luxury SUV market, being larger than compact models like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but smaller than midsize counterparts like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as some competitors, with limited headroom and legroom due to its avant-garde styling. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for up to seven passengers. The Enclave's interior was designed for comfort, with features like a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was particularly noteworthy, providing genuine comfort for passengers. Cargo space was generous, 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 Enclave's size and thoughtful design made it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which included dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The system's upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. Despite its high-quality graphics, the system was criticized for its slow response times. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times and a user-friendly interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the Enclave's technology offerings 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 considered average for the segment. The Enclave did offer a unique rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed of the area behind the vehicle.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. However, Land Rover's safety offerings were considered less sophisticated compared to competitors, with some features only available as part of an option package.

The 2021 Buick Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated at four stars. The IIHS gave the Enclave high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade. Buick's safety systems were effective but limited, with features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert only available on higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and other safety features. However, advanced systems like adaptive cruise control were restricted to the Avenir trim with an additional package.