2021 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles. Once a brand known for its grandeur, Buick had faced a decline during the Malaise Era but managed to find its footing again, largely due to its popularity in China. The Enclave, as the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, embodied the brand's return to its roots with its impressive size and American-made craftsmanship. It was a vehicle that combined the brand's historical appeal with modern consumer preferences for SUVs. The Enclave's design, especially in the Avenir trim, was striking, with a unique grille pattern and polished 20-inch wheels that added a touch of luxury. Inside, the Enclave Avenir continued this upscale theme with a minimalist approach, featuring soft leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple yet elegant, with a slightly fussy electronic transmission shifter that drivers quickly adapted to.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design with other models like the Nissan Armada and Rogue. The Kicks featured a bold V-motion design, thinner headlights, and a new bumper, giving it a distinct and proportionate look. The SR and SR Premium trims boasted LED headlights and fog lights, enhancing its sporty aesthetic. The Kicks offered a variety of new paint options and a two-tone paint job that accentuated its upmarket appearance. The interior, while mostly unchanged, was upgraded with higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the Nissan Sentra. The Kicks SR Premium model included features like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and shift knob, adding to its appeal. Overall, the Kicks presented a stylish and modern design that stood out in the subcompact SUV segment.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially when equipped with the Avenir Technology Package. The SUV's handling was impressive for its size, and its fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, featured a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, the Kicks offered a nimble driving experience, aided by its electric power-assisted steering and independent strut suspension. While not particularly powerful, the Kicks had a good power-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for city driving. Its fuel efficiency was impressive, with ratings of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.6 on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers available.

The Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious seating for six or seven passengers. Its interior was designed for comfort and quietness, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included luxurious touches such as power-adjustable seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the seats folded down.

The Nissan Kicks, being a smaller vehicle, made efficient use of its interior space. It offered best-in-class front seat legroom and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. The cabin featured easy-to-reach controls, good small-item storage, and multiple USB ports. While the front seats were somewhat compartmentalized, the rear seats could comfortably accommodate adults. The Kicks also included a tonneau cover for additional hidden storage.

The Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, its 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system were considered lacking compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror and a Teen Driver function but required additional packages for advanced features like adaptive cruise control.

The Nissan Kicks excelled in technology offerings, with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports as standard. The Kicks SR Premium featured a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with speakers in the headrests, providing an immersive audio experience. It also included a surround-view monitor for enhanced parking assistance.

The Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert in Canada. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, available on Premium and Avenir trims, added features like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but lacked some advanced safety technologies.

The Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear automatic braking. The Kicks also featured 10 airbags and adaptive cruise control on higher trims. While not crash-tested for 2021, the 2020 model received good marks from the IIHS, and the NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.