2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to the brand's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. It was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, standing out with its American-made build and luxurious Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet upscale interior with soft, perforated leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was initially fussy but became intuitive with use.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a more modern and sophisticated look, especially in the Calligraphy trim. The exterior featured new running lights, a reworked grille, and a new bumper, giving each trim a unique character. Inside, the Santa Fe impressed with its upscale materials, including a suede-like headliner and quilted Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim. The new bridge-style center console and 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel added a high-tech feel, while the panoramic glass sunroof enhanced the sense of luxury.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both FWD and AWD, the Enclave offered strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, part of the Avenir Technology Package, provided a smooth and comfortable ride across various driving conditions. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe came with three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims had a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid models combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the turbocharged engine providing impressive performance and fuel efficiency, achieving 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to 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 spacious and easily accessible, with 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third row down increased the cargo space to 58 cubic feet, and with the second row folded, the Enclave offered a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, while lacking a third-row seat, provided generous passenger room and comfort. The Calligraphy trim featured dual-zone automatic climate control, stain-resistant fabric or leather seats, and a luxurious interior with quilted Nappa leather. The rear seat was particularly spacious, with air-conditioning vents, quick-charge USB ports, and rear side-window sunshades. The Santa Fe offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, it lacked advanced features like larger screen sizes, smart home digital assistant integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim included a rear camera mirror, but the overall technology offering fell short compared to competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was packed with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch color head-up display. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, upgraded voice-recognition technology, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. Blue Link connected services were free for three years, providing a range of features, including remote engine start and climate control. The Santa Fe also offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist, although it lacked a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited, with advanced systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist restricted to higher trims. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking were only available with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed out on a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS due to its Marginal headlight performance.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, especially in the Calligraphy trim. These included forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear-occupant alert system. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist added to the SUV's safety credentials. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights.