2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant comeback for the brand, which had struggled during the Malaise Era of automotive design. Buicks had once been known for their impressive size and shine, but it took years for the brand to regain its footing. The Enclave, a large, American-made SUV, played a crucial role in this resurgence, offering a blend of modern SUV appeal and a nod to Buick's storied past. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave's pricing ranged from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000, making it competitive with both mainstream and luxury three-row SUVs.

The Enclave's design was a standout, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet luxurious interior with soft, perforated leather and polished accents. However, the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple and elegant, with the only drawback being a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and a more aggressively-raked rear hatch. This gave it a unique look, blending SUV ruggedness with car-like features. However, some design elements, like the fake exhaust tips, were less appealing. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas but shared the same wheelbase and platform.

Inside, the Cross Sport had a minimalist design typical of VW, but the materials used were subpar. Even in the higher SEL Premium trim with leather upholstery, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were prone to smudges. The color scheme was also uninspiring, with dark colors that didn't create a welcoming feel. The flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place in a non-performance model.

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 could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the FWD model offered a smooth driving experience, though it was easy to spin the tires momentarily.

Our test vehicle, priced at $57,090, included the Avenir Technology Package, which added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and highway-speed automatic emergency braking. The suspension excelled in various driving conditions, from urban streets to highways, providing a comfortable and controlled ride. The Enclave's steering and brake response were well-tuned, though quicker steering response would have been appreciated. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, and our testing confirmed this with an average of 21.2 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.6-liter V6 engine. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and featured start-stop systems for improved fuel economy. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 generated 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle, equipped with the V6 and AWD, felt lively off the line but lacked midrange acceleration. The transmission was slow to react, though manual shifting helped.

The Cross Sport's ride quality was disappointing, with every bump and pothole making its presence felt. The cabin was noisy, with wind and tire noise intruding. Despite its "Sport" name, the Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. The V6 model had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder model was limited to 2,000 pounds. AWD models featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Cross Sport was not well-suited for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The cabin was designed for comfort and quiet, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included 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 second-row captain's chairs and third-row bench seat offered comfortable seating for passengers.

The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious, though not as roomy as the Volkswagen Atlas. However, it was comparable to the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport had a competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. Front and rear legroom were near the top of the class, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. Higher trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate.

The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins. The center console and second-row armrest provided additional storage, and a large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter housed charge ports.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. The system responded quickly, had good voice recognition, and featured a simple user interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, 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's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and it lacked integration with smart home digital assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The 10-speaker Bose sound system was also underwhelming compared to competitors. The rear camera mirror was a useful feature, providing a live video view of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems. The base S trim level featured the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had the new MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, pinch-to-zoom screens, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims also included additional USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster.

Our test vehicle had the MIB3 system, which was slow to load and had unimpressive graphics. The Fender audio system sounded low-quality, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit display was a highlight, offering reconfigurable gauges and additional information. Analog controls for basic functions made the touchscreen less necessary.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited in availability. Features like 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 parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced emergency braking was only available on the Avenir trim with the optional Technology Package.

The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Enclave high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, but headlight ratings were mixed. Higher trims received a "Good" rating, while lower trims were rated "Marginal." The Cross Sport also received a "Marginal" rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Cross Sport a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal and rollover crash tests.

Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, parking sensors, and parking assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims, which provided automated lane centering and emergency stopping.