2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant step forward for the brand, which had struggled to regain its former glory after a period of decline. The Enclave, as the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, was a nod to the brand's past while catering to modern consumer preferences for spacious and stylish SUVs. It was available in four trims: Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, with prices ranging from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Enclave's design was impressive, with the Avenir trim adding a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with high-quality materials, although the wood accents were not genuine. The interior was simple and elegant, with the exception of a somewhat complicated electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved from its rugged origins into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Starting at $92,000, the Range Rover offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the potential to reach prices upwards of $250,000. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine and a host of luxury features. The Range Rover's design was timeless, with hallmark cues like blacked-out pillars and clean lines. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its high-contrast design and mid-century modern ambiance. Despite its age, the Range Rover remained a modern and desirable vehicle, drawing on its storied past much like a Porsche 911.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Enclave's performance was notable for its strong acceleration and smooth handling, aided by the low torque peak of the V6 engine. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by the Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. 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 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition. This engine delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The Range Rover's off-road capabilities were supported by a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control. On the road, the Range Rover provided a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension that filtered out road harshness. However, its steering response was relatively slow, and the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity contributed to some body roll. The Range Rover's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 18.5 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quiet, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included luxurious touches like a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with massage, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a wood-and-leather steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious and accessible, with 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a less comfortable seating position. The Range Rover offered quad-zone climate control and a premium sound system, but storage space was limited, with only 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet. The SUV's clamshell-style tailgate and suspension kneel function aided in loading and unloading cargo.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, its 8-inch touchscreen was smaller than competitors', and it lacked integration with smart home digital assistants. The Avenir trim offered a premium sound system and a rear camera mirror, but Buick's short trial periods for connected services were a drawback.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, and using the dual 10-inch touchscreens while driving could be distracting. The Range Rover offered a head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The SUV also included an Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trim levels, with basic features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available only on the Essence trim and above. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.