2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, along with a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these subtle differences, the Recharge maintained a low-key appearance, appealing to those who preferred not to flaunt their electric vehicle choice. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly, offering a premium feel uncommon in this segment.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave harked back to Buick's glory days with its large, impressive presence. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, the Enclave stood out with its American-made build and luxurious appeal. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave's pricing ranged from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Avenir trim added a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to controls, and polished accents. The leather seats were soft and perforated, though the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple yet elegant, with a fussy electronic transmission shifter being the only complexity. Overall, the Enclave offered a spacious and serene cabin, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts and standard noise-cancellation features.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline variants featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasting dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It housed a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.7 seconds. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort over speed, offering excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also featured one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. The V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration. The Enclave's towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The nine-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts, and the Enclave handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. The Avenir Technology Package enhanced the driving experience with a premium-tuned suspension and advanced safety features. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while not particularly spacious, offered clever storage solutions to maximize utility. It had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also limited in size due to powertrain components. However, the XC40 featured innovative storage options, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and a bag hook in the glovebox. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were relocated to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row passengers lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, offering a roomy and comfortable cabin for up to seven passengers. Buick's QuietTuning, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated glass ensured a serene environment. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, massaging front seats, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The center console provided ample storage, and the Enclave's size allowed for a genuinely useful third-row seat. With 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with seats folded, the Enclave offered impressive utility.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, while gasoline models retained the previous system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model offered OTA update capability, enhancing vehicle functions without dealership visits. It also lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park to start driving.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size and smart home integration. It featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Avenir trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, and a rear camera mirror. However, it lacked Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration, and the connected services trial periods were short. The rear camera mirror provided a live video feed, enhancing rear visibility.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings, with a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo's Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited in availability. Features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert required upgrading to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control was only available 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, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.