2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave once distinguished itself with a grandeur and shine representative of a bygone era. Over time, however, Buick's aesthetics shifted, particularly during the Malaise Era, which led to a subdued design language and impacted the brand’s potential. Fortunately, Buick managed to hold onto its relevance, particularly in China, helping it survive post-2009 General Motors bankruptcy.

In recent years, Buick reclaimed its design roots, producing models that were increasingly admired for their appeal. The 2021 Enclave embodied this transformation, emerging as the largest SUV in Buick's lineup and standing proudly as a reminder of the brand's illustrious past. With trims like Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, the Enclave's price ranged from $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Avenir trim, in particular, was notable for its sophisticated looks, enhanced by a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir continued the upscale theme. It featured organic design elements and a minimalist approach to controls, with tasteful accents enhancing a two-tone interior. The materials, such as perforated and embroidered leather, added a touch of luxury, though the wood accents fell short of being authentic. The interior's design was simple yet elegant, barring a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter that users quickly adapted to.

In contrast, the Lexus RX showcased the modern design ethos of Lexus perfectly. The 2021 RX's styling was distinctly marked by a large grille, angular headlights, and a sleek, floating roof. Its interior echoed luxury with features like sumptuous leather seating and a somewhat bland center console.

Lexus offered the RX in five variants: the RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid. Significant design updates made in 2020, such as elongated headlights and a refined front end, persisted into 2021. The RX rode on standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, with options for 20-inch split five-spoke wheels and a range of other luxury enhancements.

Inside, even the base RX was nicely appointed with high-quality materials like NuLuxe-trimmed seats and power-adjustable features. Higher trims added luxury with semi-aniline leather, heated and ventilated seats, and aluminum pedals, among others. However, the center console design was a sore point, with a dated look that contrasted sharply with the otherwise modern and premium interior.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave kept things straightforward with a 3.6-liter V6 engine connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. This engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, offering a strong performance and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Enclave drove smoothly, benefiting from its low torque peak and efficient automatic transmission that ensured seamless shifts.

Our test model, equipped with the Avenir Technology Package, featured a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, greatly enhancing ride quality. During testing on various surfaces, ranging from urban roads to highways, the Enclave showcased exceptional stability and comfort, driven by its sophisticated suspension system. Fuel economy was reasonable for its size, achieving an average of 21.2 mpg in combined driving, slightly above the EPA's estimate.

In comparison, the 2021 Lexus RX offered a 3.5-liter V6 engine across its RX, RXL, and RX F Sport variants, generating 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX hybrid models combined the V6 with three electric motors, producing a total of 308 horsepower managed by an e-CVT. The RX hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving up to 31 mpg in the city.

Adjustments to the suspension and handling systems made the RX more dynamic, particularly with AWD models that felt more planted. The RX F Sport model delivered a more engaging drive, thanks to adaptive variable suspension and performance enhancements. The RX's zero to 60 mph times were competitive, taking around 7.7 to 7.9 seconds depending on the model. However, the RX's top speed was capped at 124 mph, with lower limits for hybrid variants.

Interior space and practicality were key strengths for the 2021 Buick Enclave. With its considerable size, the Enclave could comfortably accommodate six passengers (seven if needed) and ensure a serene and quiet cabin environment, thanks to Active Noise Cancellation and laminated glass. The Avenir's luxurious front seats featured power adjustments and massaging functions, while the second-row captain's chairs and third-row bench provided ample room and comfort. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded and a capacious 97.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Lexus RX was also functional but trailed the Enclave in terms of cargo space. The two-row RX models seated five comfortably, whereas the three-row RXL variants could fit six or seven, depending on the configuration. Front and second-row seating was spacious and comfortable, but the third-row seats were cramped. Cargo capacity for the two-row RX was limited, offering 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions provided 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, falling short compared to the Enclave.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system was functional but lacked some of the advanced features found in its competitors. It offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. Upgraded features included navigation, a premium sound system, and a surround-view camera. However, the screen size was smaller than those in rival models, and the absence of smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components strained its competitive edge.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus RX was well-equipped with technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen (upgradable to 12.3 inches), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a WiFi hotspot, and a range of USB ports. Higher trims included a premium audio system and wireless charging. The interface, while functional, was not the most intuitive, with a touchpad controller that took time to master.

Safety-wise, the 2021 Buick Enclave offered a good range of features, but not all were standard. Basic essentials like blind-spot monitoring required upgrading to higher trims, and advanced features like adaptive cruise control were only available on the top-tier Avenir with additional packages. Despite this, the Enclave earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but fell short of IIHS's Top Safety Pick due to Marginal headlight performance.

On the other hand, the 2021 Lexus RX excelled with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The RX earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and scored well in NHTSA crash tests, though the RXL and hybrid models had not been tested.