2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX was praised for its stylish design, which was a significant improvement over the original Encore. The SUV came in three trim levels: Preferred, Select, and Essence, with an optional Sport Touring (ST) package available for all trims. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter for FWD and a 1.3-liter for both FWD and AWD. The test model featured the Essence trim with the 1.3-liter engine, but not AWD, and included several upgrades, bringing the MSRP to $35,065. Despite the high price, Buick offered significant discounts for current GM customers and attractive lease deals for non-GM owners. The interior quality was typical for the small SUV segment, but the design had some flaws, such as hard-to-read analog gauges and a vibrating head-up display (HUD).

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, maintaining traditional styling features while adding character. The XC90 came in three trim levels: Inscription, R-Design, and Momentum, each with distinct styling elements. The SUV shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other models, offering a blend of luxury and practicality. The interior featured "Swedish minimalism" with high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The test car had an Orrefors crystal shifter, adding a touch of luxury. The XC90's design was both modern and functional, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the 1.3-liter engine delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine provided adequate power for highway driving, but the overall driving experience was described as merely adequate. The FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. The test car's ride quality was inconsistent, and the interior noise levels were higher than expected for a premium brand. The Encore GX averaged 28.2 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA estimate.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, producing 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The XC90's performance was impressive, but the small engine struggled to provide consistent power. The ride quality was excellent, thanks to the optional air-suspension system, and the cabin was quiet. The XC90 had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for luxury SUV buyers.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a high seating position and supportive front seats, but the rear seats were less comfortable, especially for taller passengers. The interior storage was good, with a trunk capacity of 23.5 cubic feet, expandable to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle featured a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-flat front passenger seat for added convenience.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom in all three rows. The third-row seats were tight for adults, and the seats in both the second and third rows lacked support. The interior felt spacious, thanks to the optional power moonroof and upright roof profile. The test car had 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but no power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The XC90 also featured a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle also had a navigation system, natural voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a high-definition surround-view camera. Despite the added packages, the test car lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times, impressive voice recognition, and a simple interface.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The test car also had a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display (HUD). The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, with a tablet-like interface, but the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick Driver Confidence, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on Select and Essence trims. Adaptive cruise control was available, but its stop-and-go function required manual reactivation after a few seconds. The Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It earned top scores in all IIHS crash tests and received high ratings for front-crash prevention tech. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid.