2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was a striking vehicle, especially for those who appreciated black wheels. It featured exclusive shiny black 18-inch wheels, a shiny black grille, shiny black side mirror housings, and thick matte black body cladding. Mazda's design aimed to give the CX-30 Turbo a light and agile appearance, as if it were floating over the wheels. This effect made the CX-30 look distinct from the Mazda3 hatchback on which it was based, with a higher ground clearance both perceptually and in reality. The interior of the CX-30 mirrored that of the Mazda3, with quality materials, complementary tones and textures, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces, giving it an upscale vibe. The cabin included a chrome accent around the engine start button and a standard frameless rearview mirror. Prices for the 2021 CX-30 Turbo ranged from about $31,000 to around $35,000, with the Premium Plus trim model tested priced at $35,745.

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. It was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, offering a significant presence on the road. The Enclave was available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with prices ranging from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. The Avenir trim added extra presence with a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and unique 20-inch wheels with a polished finish. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, and tasteful polished accents. The leather seats were soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered, though the wood trim was not genuine. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its controls, except for the fussy electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the octane rating of the fuel. Torque measured 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm or 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 24.1 mpg during testing. The SUV's i-Activ AWD system and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology provided effortless acceleration and managed torque steer effectively. The CX-30 Turbo's added height and weight made it less pleasurable to drive compared to the Mazda3, but its 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode compensated for any reduction in on-pavement performance. The torsion-beam rear suspension design occasionally resulted in a pronounced bounce, but overall, the CX-30 Turbo was a rewarding drive.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Enclave's acceleration was strong. The Enclave's maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking at highway speeds. The suspension proved sensational during testing, handling various driving environments with ease. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 21.2 mpg during testing. The Enclave's ride and handling were perfect for a wide variety of driving environments, though the steering response could be quicker.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo offered exceptional comfort for the driver, with eight-way power adjustment and impressive long-distance support. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard with Premium and Premium Plus trim. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the rear seat was cramped for adults. Storage space was generous, but the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin forced a choice between storage and charging. The CX-30 Turbo provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering roomy and comfortable seating for six people (seven if necessary). The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with a basic massaging function and a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with commendable room and easy access. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded down and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment system display, operated using physical controls on the center console and steering wheel, or specific voice commands. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with three free years of Mazda Connected Services and a separate trial period for the 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Premium and Premium Plus trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Active Driving Display projected useful data onto the windshield, including blind-spot information.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times, adequate voice recognition, and a simple user interface. The Enclave 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. The Avenir trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, but lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The available rear camera mirror provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The CX-30 Turbo included a full collection of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems, with Premium trim adding an adaptive front lighting system and Premium Plus trim adding front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-30 Turbo also featured a mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems worked well, but many features were restricted to higher trim levels. 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 front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave high marks across the board, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.