2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Ford Bronco had been eagerly anticipated since Ford first teased the public with the Bronco Concept vehicle in 2004. The excitement only grew with the release of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a compact crossover SUV built on the Ford Escape platform, featuring standard all-wheel drive and adventure-ready styling. The original Bronco, produced from 1966 to 1996, was renowned for its off-road capabilities and remains a popular choice for customization. The new Bronco drew inspiration from its predecessor, embracing a "Retrofuturism" design philosophy that updated the classic look with modern technology and materials. The result was a vehicle that retained the cool factor of the original while incorporating contemporary features.

The Bronco's exterior design included a single-piece grille with bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, round headlights, and removable off-road sights on the hood. The body featured flat sides with applied fender flares and came with either 32-inch or 35-inch tires, depending on the package. The rear showcased a full-size spare tire on a swing-away rack, providing access to the side-hinged half tailgate and flip-up back glass. Available in two-door and four-door configurations, the Bronco offered a range of sizes and heights, with options for a black soft-top or a modular removable hardtop. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with modern technology, including a color touchscreen, digitized instrument cluster, and rugged yet stylish materials.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a significant recovery for the brand after a period of decline. Buick had struggled during the Malaise Era of automotive design but managed to survive thanks to its popularity in China. The Enclave, a large American-made SUV, helped Buick reconnect with its past while catering to contemporary consumer preferences for SUVs. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave competed with higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and lower-priced luxury models.

The Enclave's design exuded a premium feel, 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 approach to instrumentation and controls, with soft, perforated leather seats and polished accents. The simplicity extended to the electronic transmission shifter, which, despite being initially fussy, became intuitive with use. The Enclave's interior was spacious and comfortable, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a stylish center console. The third-row seat was genuinely useful, and the cargo space was impressive, offering up to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options at launch: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was also optional for the 2.3-liter. All Bronco models featured standard four-wheel drive (4WD).

During testing in Holly, Michigan, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road prowess. The First Edition trim model, equipped with 35-inch tires from the Sasquatch package, handled challenging conditions with ease. On pavement, the Bronco drove like an off-road truck, with the 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission providing smooth power delivery. Off-road, the Bronco excelled, offering sure-footed traction and balanced handling on various terrains. The Sasquatch package's 35-inch tires, aired down to 27 psi, further enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced off-roaders.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 engine's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the FWD model provided a smooth and controlled ride.

The Avenir Technology Package, available for the Enclave, included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. The suspension proved exceptional during testing, handling various driving environments with ease. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive, offering a comfortable and serene driving experience. Fuel economy was also commendable, with the Enclave achieving an average of 21.2 mpg on a 140-mile testing loop.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's designers and engineers took inspiration from the marketplace, the aftermarket, and classic Bronco owners to create a modular and functional SUV. The Bronco featured removable doors with dedicated storage bags, integrated grip handles, and simple electrical connections. The doors could be stored in the cargo hold, and each bag was labeled and included a QR code for video instructions on door removal and replacement. The Bronco also offered standard chassis protection, removable fenders and bumpers, and a one-piece front grille for easy repair and replacement.

Inside, the Bronco's design focused on practicality and ease of use. The center stack featured a row of buttons for differential, sway-bar, and suspension settings, while the overhead console included toggle switches for auxiliary equipment. The Bronco's interior was rugged yet stylish, with heavy use points reinforced with metal and lined with grippy rubber. The second-row seats were comfortable, and the cargo space was versatile, accommodating various needs.

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 lumbar support and a basic massaging function, while the front passenger seat was 10-way power-adjustable with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather, and the steering wheel included automatic heating.

The Enclave's center console was stylish and functional, with storage under the transmission shifter and in a bin beneath the center armrest. The third-row seat was genuinely useful, providing comfort 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 down, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the latest version of Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment system with enhanced voice recognition. The standard 8-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to a 12-inch touchscreen with the High Package. The Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated touchscreen navigation, and a wireless device charging pad. The Bronco also included a G.O.A.T. system for off-road traction control, with up to seven drive modes available.

The Bronco's technology package included push-button start, a proximity key entry system, a rear-view camera with backup assist lines, and auto high-beam headlamps. The Sasquatch Package added position-sensitive Bilstein shock absorbers for increased off-road capability.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times, effective voice recognition, and a simple user interface. Standard features included 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's technology fell short in terms of screen size, smart home digital assistant integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir's 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 view of what was behind the SUV.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's safety features were packaged by trim level. The Base model included airbags, while the Big Bend and Black Diamond trims could add the Mid Package, which included a reverse sensing system, Ford Co-Pilot 360 with pre-collision assist, blind-spot information system, lane-keeping system, auto high-beam headlamps, and a rear-view camera with backup assist lines. The High Package, available for the Outer Banks, Wildtrak, and Badlands trims, added a 360-degree camera, forward-sensing system, and side-view mirror LED approach lamps.

The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately in off-roading situations, measuring lean angle and roll speed. However, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had released crash-test ratings for the 2021 Bronco.

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 with the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on the Premium and Avenir trims. This package 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.

The Enclave Avenir offered adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking as part of the optional Avenir Technology Package. However, the Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology. Despite these limitations, the Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated Marginal.