2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, with its practical and utilitarian design, resembled a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversize grille, and exaggerated fender flares that added visual strength. Robust roof rails and appealing 20-inch aluminum wheels were standard on three of the four trim levels, while the base model came with smaller 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. The Touring trim, priced at $45,045, included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim, making it the most luxurious option. The test vehicle, painted Abyss Blue Pearl, had a stylish interior with quality materials and thoughtful details, making it feel worth the price.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave aimed to recapture Buick's former glory with its large, shiny, and impressive design. The Enclave was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, with the Avenir trim adding extra presence through a unique grille pattern, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation, and tasteful polished accents. The soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather seats added a sense of luxury, although the wood trim was not genuine. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its controls, except for the fussy electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Despite its good acceleration, the Ascent's powertrain was thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly engaging, with slow and numb steering, and the suspension struggled with pavement undulations. However, the Ascent excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and the nine-speed automatic provided smooth shifts. The test vehicle, equipped with the Avenir Technology Package, included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, which delivered a comfortable and composed ride across various driving environments. The Enclave achieved an average of 21.2 mpg during testing, slightly above the EPA estimate of 21 mpg.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered a comfortable and spacious interior, especially in the Touring trim. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable and included heated cushions, side window shades, and dual quick-charge USB ports. The third-row seat provided acceptable space for shorter trips, with large side windows, a panoramic glass roof, and overhead air-conditioning vents. The Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering a roomy and quiet cabin 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 with matching massage. The second-row captain's chairs were heated, and the third-row seat provided commendable comfort. The Enclave offered 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 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and integrated apps. The Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen display, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim improved with a high-resolution screen and navigation. However, the voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle's location. The Ascent Touring offered a 180-degree front camera view and a 180-degree rear camera view, but lacked a top-down 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured the Buick Infotainment System, which met basic expectations with quick response, good voice recognition, and a simple user interface. It 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 display was small compared to competitors, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming. The Enclave also offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It featured Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The Ascent also had a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, which included automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and quick access to roadside assistance.

The 2021 Buick Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade. The Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trim levels, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package available only on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control was available only with the Avenir Technology Package.