2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and the introduction of a Black Edition in 2020, the exterior design remained polarizing. The 2021 lineup included seven trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but the black floor mats were a hassle to clean, especially for pet owners. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not appeal to everyone.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a return to form for Buick, offering a large, shiny, and impressive SUV that harkened back to the brand's glory days. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave's pricing ranged from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. The Avenir trim added a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appearance. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with soft, perforated leather and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The cabin was simple and elegant, with the only drawback being the fussy electronic transmission shifter. Overall, the Enclave's design and materials aimed to compete with higher-priced luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and quick acceleration. The available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system could direct up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction and handling. The Pilot's fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model. The test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's suspension setup offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition. However, its off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm. This engine, combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size, with the transmission delivering smooth shifts. The test vehicle, equipped with FWD, had a tendency to spin the tires momentarily before traction control intervened. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and highway-speed automatic emergency braking, significantly enhanced the driving experience. The Enclave's suspension handled various driving conditions with ease, offering a comfortable and composed ride. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.2 mpg, allowing for a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, with seating for up to eight people when equipped with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, though the front passenger seat only had four-way adjustment. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, providing nearly the same comfort as the front seats and sliding forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The Pilot offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 83.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six people, or seven if needed. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The center console provided ample storage and a clean design. The Enclave came standard with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat, with no option for a second-row bench. The third-row seat was roomy and comfortable, comparable to the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and a basic version of HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition trim added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. The voice-recognition technology required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims. The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature, though kids might prefer using the WiFi and their devices.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, good voice recognition, and a simple user interface. It 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 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the Enclave lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The free trial periods for connected services were also short. A notable feature was the rear camera mirror, which provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing worked but was not very smooth or refined. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and high marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems worked well but were limited to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, which included forward-collision warning, low-speed 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 with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated as Marginal.