2021 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was designed with a rugged exterior that mimicked the look of a traditional SUV, setting it apart from other compact crossovers. Its boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and scowling front end gave it an aggressive appearance, contrasting sharply with previous RAV4 generations. Despite its bold styling, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which was shared with other Toyota models like the Camry and Sienna. This meant that while the RAV4 looked adventurous, its mechanical underpinnings were more conventional.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick's glory days with its large, impressive design. As the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, the Enclave offered a spacious and luxurious experience. The Avenir trim added a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather upholstery. However, the wood trim was not genuine, and the electronic transmission shifter required some acclimatization.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically seen in racing engines, and delivered power at high revs. However, the transmission's hesitancy and the steering's lack of feel detracted from the driving experience. The RAV4's off-road capabilities were enhanced in the Trail and TRD Off-Road models, which featured torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the Essence trim and all-wheel drive on higher trims. The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave's size belied its nimble handling. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, enhancing ride comfort across various driving conditions. The Enclave's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof that provided ample headroom and good outward visibility. However, legroom was slightly lacking compared to competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,977 litres with them folded. The interior featured oversized knobs and controls, but storage space was somewhat limited.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, accommodating up to seven passengers comfortably. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. The centre console offered ample storage, and the second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and 2,764 litres with the second row down.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with most trims featuring a 7-inch touchscreen. Higher trims offered larger screens, and a JBL premium audio system was available. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked standout features, and the gasoline RAV4 did not include a head-up display.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system were less impressive compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror and a Teen Driver function, but the free trial periods for connected services were short.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. However, mixed headlight scores prevented it from achieving the highest safety rating.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.