2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a testament to Subaru's strategy of adapting its Impreza hatchback into a crossover, appealing to consumers with its rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and elevated driving position. The Crosstrek distinguished itself from the Impreza with black body cladding, model-specific alloy wheels, and a higher ride height, offering 22 centimetres of ground clearance. This transformation allowed the Crosstrek to mimic an SUV's character while maintaining the vibrant colour options Subaru was known for, such as the Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite its SUV-like appearance, the Crosstrek retained the Subaru Global Platform, ensuring a refined driving experience.

Inside, the Crosstrek's interior mirrored the Impreza's functional yet plain design. The Outdoor grade featured Plasma Yellow Pearl accents, which clashed with certain exterior colours, and simulated carbon-fibre trim that appeared cheap. However, the water-repellant upholstery was a practical addition for outdoor adventures. The Crosstrek's interior space was competitive with other small crossovers, offering decent passenger space but limited cargo capacity compared to some rivals. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but not as elevated as traditional SUVs, though visibility was enhanced by ample side glass.

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick's glory days with its large, impressive design, serving as a bridge between the brand's past and present consumer preferences for SUVs. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, the Enclave stood out with its premium styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. The Enclave's upscale design extended to its interior, where organic forms, minimalist controls, and polished accents created a luxurious atmosphere. The leather seats were soft and perforated, though the wood trim was not genuine.

The Enclave's spacious interior accommodated up to seven passengers comfortably, with standard seven-passenger seating and second-row captain's chairs. The Avenir trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and massage functions, while the front passenger enjoyed a 10-way adjustable seat. The Enclave's size provided a useful third-row seat, comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the second-row seats folded, making it one of the most accommodating in its class.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, standard on the Outdoor and Limited trims, and a 2.0-litre boxer-four engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque for other trims. The boxer engine's design, with cylinders parallel to the ground, provided a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling. However, the SUV-like ride height somewhat negated this benefit. A six-speed manual transmission was available with the 2.0-litre engine, but most buyers opted for the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which was standard on the Sport and Limited trims.

All Crosstrek trims featured standard AWD, a rarity among small crossovers. The X-Mode system, with hill descent control, aided in navigating loose surfaces, while the Outdoor trim added Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Despite these features, the Crosstrek was more suited to on-road driving, with predictable handling akin to the Impreza, albeit with noticeable body roll due to the higher centre of gravity. The 2.5-litre engine provided adequate acceleration, though the CVT's droning was evident.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 delivered 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, offering strong acceleration. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the Essence trim in Canada, while AWD was standard on higher trims. The Enclave's towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Enclave's size belied its agile driving dynamics.

The Avenir Technology Package, recommended for its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and highway-speed automatic emergency braking, enhanced the Enclave's performance. The suspension excelled across various driving conditions, from urban streets to highways, providing a comfortable and quiet ride. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, or 11.8 L/100 km with AWD, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering the same front and rear legroom and slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 588 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,565 litres with them folded, competitive with other small crossovers but not class-leading. The Crosstrek included a rear-seat reminder system, a handy cubby for phones with USB and auxiliary ports, and minimal storage space, emphasizing its compact car roots. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, with good outward visibility due to large side windows.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, accommodating up to seven passengers with ease. The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and massage functions, while the front passenger enjoyed a 10-way adjustable seat. The Enclave's spaciousness extended to the third-row seat, which was accessible through large rear doors and between the captain's chairs. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,764 litres with the second-row seats folded, making it one of the most accommodating in its class.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen, with navigation standard on the Limited trim. The system included a secondary screen above the main touchscreen, displaying redundant information. The 8-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, and steering wheel controls for EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times, voice recognition, and a simple user interface. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera. However, the 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system fell short compared to competitors. The rear camera mirror, offering a live video feed, was a notable feature.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high ratings in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. EyeSight driver-assist features, standard on CVT-equipped models, included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. EyeSight's cameras, mounted behind the windshield, were protected but limited in functionality under certain conditions.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were limited, with features like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning restricted to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included these features, along with a Safety Alert Seat. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking were 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.