2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a testament to Subaru's strategy of transforming the Impreza hatchback into a crossover. By adding black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and increasing the ride height to 8.7 inches, Subaru gave the Crosstrek a rugged SUV-like appearance. This transformation allowed the Crosstrek to stand out with more character and vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite these changes, the interior remained largely unchanged from the Impreza, offering functionality but a somewhat plain look. The Sport trim's interior featured clashing color accents and cheap-looking simulated carbon-fiber trim, though it did include practical water-repellant StarTex upholstery.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, aimed to recapture Buick's former glory with its large, impressive design. As the largest of Buick's four SUVs, the Enclave offered a luxurious and spacious interior, especially in the Avenir trim. The Avenir featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted organic forms, a minimalist approach to controls, and tasteful polished accents. The leather seats were soft and perforated, 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 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on the Base and Premium trims, while the Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only. All trims came with standard AWD, including torque vectoring and X-Mode for better handling on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise. However, the new 2.5-liter engine didn't feel dramatically different from the base engine, and acceleration was adequate but accompanied by CVT droning.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, generating 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a choice between FWD and AWD. The V6's low torque peak provided strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its large size. The nine-speed automatic delivered smooth shifts, and the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping in the Avenir trim offered a sensational ride. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It offered 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo space. CVT-equipped models included a rear-seat reminder, and the front featured a handy cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports. However, rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports, and overall storage space was minimal. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good thanks to large side windows.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, offering room for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The center console provided ample storage, and the second-row captain's chairs and third-row bench seat offered comfortable seating. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through large rear doors. Cargo space was commendable, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, featuring a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM, and a single-disc CD player. The Limited trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, which was optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek also had a secondary screen above the main touchscreen for additional information. The 8-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, and large analog knobs and buttons controlled vital functions. Steering wheel buttons managed EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB 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 rear camera mirror was a neat feature, providing a live video view of what's behind the Enclave.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a "Top Safety Pick" with the highest ratings in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. EyeSight driver-assist features were standard on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited trim and optional on Premium and Sport. However, EyeSight's cameras could be blocked by windshield wipers or direct sunlight.

The 2021 Buick Enclave also 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 Marginal headlight performance prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade. Buick restricted some safety features to higher trims, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a Safety Alert Seat. Adaptive cruise control was only available with the Avenir Technology Package, and the Enclave lacked some advanced safety features found in competitors.