2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to the brand's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. After a period of decline, Buick found its footing by offering globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave, the largest of Buick's four SUVs, stood out with its American-made build and premium looks, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and luxurious leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple and elegant, except for the somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a sight for sore eyes after a long flight, offering plush and roomy accommodations. The Platinum trim, the most luxurious in the lineup, featured a Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a host of other premium features. However, the Expedition's cargo space fell short when trying to accommodate six passengers and their luggage, highlighting the utility of minivans. Despite this, the Expedition Platinum impressed with its bold presence, intricate chrome grille, massive 22-inch wheels, and brightwork. The extended-length MAX version would have solved the cargo issue, offering ample space for passengers and their belongings.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. The V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, which was part of the Avenir Technology Package. The SUV averaged 21.2 mpg on a 140-mile test loop, slightly above the EPA's combined rating of 21 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, on the other hand, came with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a choice between RWD and 4WD. The engine delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier trailer maneuvering. Despite its size, the Expedition offered impressive acceleration and a pleasant engine note. However, the ride quality suffered slightly due to the Platinum's 22-inch wheels, although the adaptive damping suspension helped maintain stability. The Expedition averaged 17.1 mpg on the test loop, below the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg for the 4WD model.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was roomy and accessible, and the SUV provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The test vehicle's front seats offered a massage function, adding to the comfort. The Expedition's independent rear suspension ensured a smooth ride, and the SUV provided ample storage for odds and ends. Cargo space measured 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 104.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. The extended-length MAX version offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. The 8-inch touchscreen was responsive, and the system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. However, the Enclave lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim's 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. One notable feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what was behind the SUV.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, while user-friendly, showed its age with a recessed 8-inch touchscreen that sometimes lagged. Despite this, Sync 3 offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, FordPass Connect, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The system also included Amazon Alexa compatibility and an enhanced voice recognition system. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging. An available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system added further appeal, offering DVD playback, gaming inputs, and streaming capabilities.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in its safety systems, as many features were restricted to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available only from the Essence trim upwards, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, was standard only on Premium and Avenir trims. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking required the Avenir Technology Package. Despite these limitations, the Enclave earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree camera system. The Expedition earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its RWD model had a three-star rollover-resistance rating, which improved to four stars with 4WD. The IIHS had not performed crash tests on the Expedition.