2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's image, traditionally seen as utilitarian rather than stylish. Toyota's designers gave the Sienna a more SUV-like appearance, starting with a wide grille that emphasized its width and sleek LED headlamp arrays integrated into a panel with the Toyota logo. From the side, the Sienna had an assertive stance, with reworked sliding side doors sculpted to bulge over the rear wheels. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches filled the arches, enhancing its look. The rear featured a large window, maintaining a wide and low appearance. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan but not quite as high as a full-size SUV. The dashboard was simple, with controls clustered below the infotainment screen. The center console housed the gear selector, cup holders, and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding for maximum utility and comfort.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a return to Buick's roots of big, shiny, impressive vehicles. The Enclave was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, with a design that could compete with premium-priced SUVs. The Avenir trim added extra presence with a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to controls, and polished accents. The leather seats were soft, perforated, and embroidered, though the wood trim was not real. The electronic transmission shifter was fussy but manageable. The Enclave's interior was spacious and quiet, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included power-adjustable, massaging front seats, a stylish center console, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The third row was comfortable, with easy access through the large rear doors.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which delivered power smoothly but lacked throttle response. Four selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) were available. The Sienna's handling was improved with new front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension, minimizing body roll. The big news was its fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, highway, and combined, and AWD models rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD and AWD. The V6 generated 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. The Enclave had a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. Acceleration was strong, and the nine-speed automatic shifted smoothly. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave's ride and handling were excellent, with a comfortable and quiet ride. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg combined, and it achieved 21.2 mpg in testing, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches for easy access to the third row. The cabin had 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option) and ample storage space. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Cargo measurements were 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The hybrid battery was tucked under the front seats, not impacting cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, a family-friendly feature.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, with room for six people (seven if needed). The Avenir trim included power-adjustable, massaging front seats, and a stylish center console. The Enclave had seven-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat. The third row was comfortable, with easy access through the large rear doors. Cargo space measured 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 folded.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna packed a ton of standard and available technology features. A nine-inch touchscreen was standard, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, USB ports, and Bluetooth. Connectivity included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered Qi-compatible charging, a 1500-watt inverter, and a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, with an 11.6-inch display, remote, and wireless headphones. The driver had a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch Head-Up Display on Platinum trims. A digital rearview mirror was available on Limited and Platinum models.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size, smart home 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. The Enclave included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, connected services, and USB ports in all rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera system. The rear camera mirror showed a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Sienna had 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Crash-test ratings were not yet available, but the 2020 Sienna received high marks from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in safety systems, with features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert only available on higher trims. 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 parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was only available on the Avenir with the Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and high marks from IIHS, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.