2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Buick Enclave

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 of producing big, shiny, and impressive vehicles. It was a three-row SUV that competed with both mainstream and luxury models, offering a range of trims from the base Essence to the luxurious Avenir. The Enclave's design was both elegant and commanding, with the Avenir trim adding distinctive features like a unique grille and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet upscale interior with soft leather and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The cabin was designed for simplicity, with the exception of a somewhat complex electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a sense of familiarity despite its redesign for the 2020 model year. It retained the classic Subaru feel, with analog gauges and a steering wheel design reminiscent of older models. However, the interior was refreshed, especially in trims above the base, which featured a large 11.6-inch touchscreen display. The Outback's interior quality had improved significantly, with substantial materials and comfortable seating. The Outdoor XT trim offered a unique interior with water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching, adding a touch of adventure to the otherwise practical design. Externally, the Outback's styling was understated yet functional, with high ground clearance and protective cladding. It was a vehicle that embraced its identity as a lifted wagon, offering a practical alternative to traditional SUVs.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivered 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 and composed, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially when equipped with the Avenir Technology Package. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with a combined rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres for the FWD model, allowing for a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-litre flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was geared towards comfort, with a focus on ride quality and off-road capability. Its AWD system was proactive, providing excellent traction in various conditions. Fuel efficiency for the turbocharged engine was slightly lower than the base engine but still competitive.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious seating for up to seven passengers. The interior was designed for comfort and quietness, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated glass. The Avenir trim added luxury touches such as power-adjustable and massaging front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, while not as large as the Enclave, offered impressive interior space and versatility. It provided 920 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 2,144 litres with them folded. The Outback's interior was practical, with ample headroom and legroom, excellent visibility, and clever storage solutions. Standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, allowing for easy installation of roof racks. The large touchscreen complicated some controls, but overall, the Outback's interior was user-friendly and well-designed.

The 2021 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 less impressive compared to competitors. The Avenir trim offered additional features like a rear camera mirror and a surround-view camera system, but the short trial periods for connected services were a drawback.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking through the EyeSight system. The large touchscreen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, and standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system's usability was hampered by its interface, but it provided essential connectivity and safety features.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. Standard features in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, available on Premium and Avenir trims, added features like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2021 Subaru Outback excelled in safety, with a strong and stiff chassis and a range of standard safety features. The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The Outback was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," earning top ratings in crash tests and for its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.