2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, blending traditional elements with modern touches. Known for its conservative styling, Volvo managed to infuse the XC90 with more character while retaining its recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end. The addition of softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights gave the XC90 a unique yet familiar look. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated aesthetics, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials and thoughtful design. Matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a natural, luxurious feel, complemented by high-end touches like an Orrefors crystal shifter.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, aimed to recapture the brand's former glory with its large, impressive presence. Buick's recovery from past design missteps culminated in the Enclave, a big, shiny SUV that resonated with consumer preferences for spacious, American-made vehicles. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, the Enclave offered a range of features and pricing from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft, perforated leather seats. However, the wood trim was not genuine, and the electronic transmission shifter required some acclimation.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds, and the gasoline engine often had to assist. However, the XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin and respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a simpler approach with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The V6 produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave's nine-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth shifts, and the SUV handled well for its size, feeling more agile than its dimensions suggested. The Avenir Technology Package, available on the top trim, included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking at highway speeds. The Enclave's suspension impressed during testing, offering a comfortable ride across various driving conditions. Fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows lacked support, and storage space was limited. The XC90 offered 11.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, one of the largest SUVs in its class, provided ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and massage, and 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with matching massage. The Enclave’s third-row seat was more spacious than many competitors, and access was easy through large rear doors. Cargo space was generous, 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 folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that was easy to navigate. However, the text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB ports in all three rows. The Enclave also offered a Teen Driver function, a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, it lacked smart home digital assistant integration and had a short free trial period for connected services. The rear camera mirror was a useful feature, providing a live video view of what’s behind the Enclave.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s safety systems were less comprehensive, with many features restricted to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, 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 only available on the Avenir trim with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had a four-star frontal-impact rating. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.