2021 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Kia Sorento

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 appeal 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 Kia Sorento made a significant leap forward in design, shedding its previous jelly-bean-inspired look for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its rugged appearance. The front featured Kia's expansive tiger-nose grille, while the side had a silver accent for added flair. The rear showcased beautiful vertical taillights. Inside, the Sorento offered high-value features, including heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry. The upper trims provided 10-way driver’s seat adjustment with power lumbar support, while the SX Prestige trim offered real perforated leather seats.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The suspension, especially with 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 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, our test car featured the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with AWD. This setup provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential enhanced traction, while the suspension provided a smooth ride. The Sorento's various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, allowed for different driving experiences.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and massage, while the front passenger enjoyed a 10-way power-adjustable seat with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The Enclave's third-row seat was roomy and accessible, with commendable space behind it measuring 23.6 cubic feet. Folding the third row down provided 58 cubic feet of space, and the maximum cargo capacity was 97.6 cubic feet.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while practical, was best suited as a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third-row seating. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the front and rear seats offered ample legroom at 41.4 inches and 41.7 inches, respectively. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats down increased the total cargo volume to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento provided various storage options, including a spot for a phone, cupholders, and a center console bucket. The door pockets and second-row cupholders added to the practicality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, voice recognition, and a user-friendly 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. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the Enclave lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what was behind the SUV.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen on the lower trims and a 10.25-inch screen on the SX and SX Prestige trims. The larger screen looked fantastic but required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento had plenty of USB ports but lacked USB-C ports. The optional Bose stereo was decent but not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and Point-of-Interest functions. However, most drivers would likely use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only on the Avenir with the 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.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control worked well, though the lane-keeping assist could be overly active. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact crash tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick designation, with the SX trim levels receiving perfect scores for their LED headlights.