2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave marked a striking return to the brand's glorious past of big, shiny, and impressive vehicles, akin to its reputation before the downturn known as the Malaise Era. Buick had slowly clawed its way back, largely anchored by its popularity in China and a strategically diverse lineup featuring globally-sourced rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave itself became a pivotal model, offering a well-rounded American-made option in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs.

The Enclave, the largest of Buick's four-SUV lineup, sold in four trims—Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir—ranging from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. It confidently competed with higher-priced three-row SUVs and lower-priced luxury models, thanks in no small part to its attractive design. The Avenir trim particularly shone with a unique grille pattern, additional brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir continued the premium theme with organic forms, minimalist instrumentation, and polished accents. The two-tone interior, with piped and embroidered leather seats, embodied luxury, although the wood trims were faux. The controlled simplicity extended to the cabin's controls, save for a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter that users adjusted to over time.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus charted a course from a comparatively modest past. Originally the Lincoln MKX, the Nautilus emerged from a facelift in 2019 that brought more attractive styling and a move away from Lincoln’s old alphanumeric naming convention. By 2021, the Nautilus boasted an updated cabin featuring clean lines, soft materials, and an enormous 13.2-inch touchscreen. The dash design underscored Lincoln’s commitment to aesthetic and functional excellence. The “Piano Key” shifter buttons, despite initial skepticism, proved easy to use after a short adjustment period.

The Lincoln Nautilus came in three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. Each offered a unique set of features, progressively adding luxury touches like genuine leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, and enhanced driver-assistance technologies. The Black Label trim stood out with 21-inch wheels, a twin-turbo V6 engine, and a plethora of high-end features like massaging seats and an Alcantara headliner, contributing to its refined and upscale feel.

Performance in the 2021 Buick Enclave was governed by simplicity, featuring a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,800 rpm. All versions of the Enclave came with a smooth nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. This configuration provided a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds, illustrating its robust capabilities.

The V6 engine's low torque peak ensured strong acceleration, lending the Enclave a somewhat nimble feel despite its large dimensions. The nine-speed automatic was praised for its seamless shifting, contributing to a refined driving experience. Our test model, equipped with the Avenir Technology Package, highlighted the brilliance of the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, resulting in a superb ride across various driving conditions. Fuel economy was respectable, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined and a practical travel range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

On the other side, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus started with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful option, standard on higher trims, was a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 producing 355 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the V6 variant featuring standard all-wheel drive.

The twin-turbo V6 delivered smooth and controlled power, particularly commendable at highway speeds. The delayed throttle response aligned with Lincoln’s luxurious driving ethos, emphasizing a balance of brisk yet composed acceleration. The adaptive suspension further enhanced the driving experience, absorbing road imperfections and maintaining firm handling through corners. Fuel conservation was aided by an engine stop-start feature, although the transition felt delayed compared to competitors.

Interior space and functionality were strong points for both the 2021 Buick Enclave and the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, each offering distinctive advantages tailored to their design ethos.

The Buick Enclave, one of the largest in its class, provided ample room for six to seven passengers in a serene cabin characterized by Buick’s QuietTuning technology. The Avenir trim featured heated, ventilated leather seats with power adjustments and massaging functions, ensuring comfort for both the driver and front passenger. The spacious second and third rows accommodated adults with ease, particularly benefiting from the expansive rear doors.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Enclave excelled with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a cavernous 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down. This made it a versatile choice for carrying passengers and baggage alike.

The Lincoln Nautilus, focusing on two-row comfort, offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up and 68.8 cubic feet with them folded, outshining competitors like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. The Nautilus emphasized spacious rear seats with ample head- and legroom, and front seats that were highly adjustable with 22-way settings, encased in luxurious materials for an upscale experience.

Practical storage solutions in the Nautilus, such as the large center console bin and deep door pockets, complemented its functional design. The floating center controls provided additional storage space, enhancing its utility for everyday use.

Technological integration differed notably between the two SUVs.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system largely met basic expectations but lagged behind in some areas compared to its rivals. Equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, and standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot, it provided fundamental connectivity. Upgrades included navigation, a premium sound system, and a surround-view camera, but the technology fell short in screen size and smart home integration.

A standout feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed that could be toggled via a switch. Nevertheless, the Enclave's technological proposition was hindered by short free trial periods for connected services and limited advanced features compared to the competition.

Conversely, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus excelled with its 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring high-definition graphics and an intuitive menu layout. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offering a seamless interface without unnecessary complexity. The availability of a wireless charging pad further enhanced convenience.

Complementing the infotainment was the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality. The Nautilus’ tech integration was sophisticated yet user-friendly, embodying how modern automotive technology should function.

Both vehicles came with robust safety features, though approached differently from a standard and optional equipment standpoint.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered essential safety technologies, though many were restricted to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard only on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking were exclusive to the optional Avenir Technology Package.

Despite these limitations, the Enclave performed well in crash tests, earning a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received four stars in frontal-impact protection. IIHS ratings were generally high, but Marginal headlight performance precluded a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a comprehensive CoPilot360 package across all trims, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additionally, trim-specific options included adaptive cruise control, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights.

However, the Nautilus’ standard backup camera was subpar in quality, detracting from an otherwise sophisticated package of driver-assistance technologies. The lower camera resolution made visibility difficult in low-light situations, an area Lincoln could improve.