2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave marked a significant recovery for Buick, 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, standing out with its impressive looks, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft, perforated leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was a bit fussy, but users quickly adapted to it.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from VW's gasoline models. The ID.4 featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. Based on VW's EV-specific MEB platform, the ID.4 followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback but was brought to the U.S. market due to the higher demand for crossovers. The interior design blended Volkswagen's trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models offered leatherette upholstery.

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) configurations. The V6 engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, allowing for strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping offered a comfortable ride across various driving conditions. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This rear-wheel drive (RWD) setup provided balanced handling and instantaneous torque for quick acceleration. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. While the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, it offered a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not feature aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more familiar driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with automatic heating. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious and easily accessible, and the cargo area provided 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, although legroom was average for the segment. The ID.4 provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4's center console was narrow, offering limited storage space, but included plenty of places to store a phone.

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 satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave also offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video feed of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen) and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced traditional switchgear. While the touchpads looked modern, they were difficult to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited to higher trim levels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. 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 NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to the adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.