2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Buick Enclave

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 stood out as the largest of Buick's four SUVs, with a design that could compete with higher-priced three-row SUVs. The Avenir trim added a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather, though the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple, except for the electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, redesigned in 2019, retained a familiar look with its boxy, upright shape, appealing to SUV shoppers. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, making a significant visual impact. Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models, maintaining a rugged SUV image. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand wear and tear. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and heated seats. The Forester's design emphasized functionality and durability, with a no-nonsense approach to materials and controls.

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 front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Enclave offered strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The V6's low torque peak contributed to its impressive performance, and the nine-speed automatic provided smooth shifts. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and highway-speed automatic emergency braking. The Enclave's suspension excelled in various driving conditions, offering a comfortable and controlled ride. Fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Forester's boxer engine provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. With a 1,500-pound towing capacity, the Forester's power felt adequate but lacked the thrust needed for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. AWD was standard, with X-Mode and Dual X-Mode for different driving conditions. The Forester's ground clearance of 8.7 inches allowed for better off-road capability compared to competitors. Fuel economy was competitive, but the Forester's performance was more about practicality than excitement.

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 front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The center console provided ample storage, and the third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through large rear doors. Cargo space was impressive, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom for five passengers, thanks to its tall roofline. The large windows provided excellent visibility and a spacious feel. Cargo space was ample, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, the Forester offered a power liftgate on higher trims. The interior featured practical storage solutions, though the phone cubby was small, and wireless charging was not available. The Forester's design focused on functionality and durability, with easy-to-use controls and a straightforward layout.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, voice recognition, and a user-friendly interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The rear camera mirror was a useful feature, providing a live video feed of the rear view.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons. However, the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex. The Forester's technology focused on practicality and ease of use, with a straightforward interface and useful features.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking were available only on the Avenir trim with the Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented a Top Safety Pick award.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard EyeSight features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. EyeSight's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions performed adequately, though the latter's steering inputs were jerky. The Forester's safety features were comprehensive and effective, providing peace of mind for drivers.