2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant comeback for the brand, which had struggled through the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing. The Enclave, a large, American-made SUV, helped Buick regain its footing by appealing to consumer preferences for SUVs. It was the largest of Buick's four SUV offerings, with a design that exuded a premium feel, especially in the Avenir trim. The Avenir trim added a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft, perforated leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was initially fussy but became intuitive with use.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The interior, especially in higher trims, was fresher and more modern than the smaller Crosstrek. The Premium trim and above featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, which was bright and sharp, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback's quality was evident in its substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of wildness to the otherwise practical and comfortable interior. The exterior design remained smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome flourishes.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration. The Enclave's maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, part of the Avenir Technology Package, offered a smooth and comfortable ride. 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 Subaru Outback offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, this engine struggled to move the Outback's weight, especially when fully loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm, providing a significant improvement in performance. The turbocharged engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful than the base engine. The Outback's fuel economy for the turbo XT was 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while the base engine achieved 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable off-road. Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system provided excellent traction and control in various conditions.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with a basic massaging function and a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, both heated and ventilated. The Enclave's interior was designed for comfort, with a stylish center console, triple-zone climate control, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat was spacious and easy to access. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, allowing it to go off-road without the drawbacks of larger vehicles. Inside, the Outback provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. The Outback's visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features, such as push-button start and rear climate vents, were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Enclave lacked integration with smart home digital assistants and high-end audio components. The available rear camera mirror provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave, enhancing visibility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation. The single large screen was more cohesive and useful than the base model's dual-screen setup. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions, affecting functionality.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited in availability. Features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was only available on the Avenir trim with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but had a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking was optional on the Onyx Edition XT and standard on the Limited 2.5 and Touring trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights, as well as a "Superior" rating for forward emergency braking. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars for the rollover test.