2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the XC60 shared its elegant, tailored design with other Volvo models, featuring short overhangs and a distinctive upright grille adorned with the iron mark logo. The Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights added a unique Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60 boasted a serene, Scandinavian-inspired cabin with clean lines and authentic materials. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a nod to Volvo's early adoption of large displays, and the attention to detail in the HVAC vents and cabin textures elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was a nod to Buick's past glory, offering a large, impressive SUV that catered to modern consumer preferences. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, the Enclave stood out with its upscale styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir offered a minimalist yet luxurious interior with soft, perforated leather seats and tasteful polished accents. The cabin was designed for comfort, with features like a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. Despite its size, the Enclave managed to maintain a sense of grace and civility on the road.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 model increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque with the addition of a supercharger. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, added an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the Polestar version slightly increasing horsepower to 415. The T8 models were plug-in hybrids, offering up to 31 kilometres of electric-only driving. The XC60's handling was agile, with torque vectoring and a smooth suspension, making it a comfortable and quiet ride. Fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard on the Essence trim in Canada, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Enclave's V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts. The Enclave's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 L/100 km combined, with our test vehicle averaging 11.1 L/100 km with front-wheel drive.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and practicality, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling harsh winter conditions. The cabin offered smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60 could tow up to 1,587 kilograms, making it versatile for various needs.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, offering seating for six or seven passengers with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench. The Avenir trim featured luxurious touches like heated and ventilated front seats with massage functions and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave provided 668 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,764 litres with the second row down. The Enclave's size allowed for a genuinely useful third-row seat, and the triple-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system was intuitive for those familiar with iPad gestures, with a portrait-oriented display that divided the screen into function quadrants. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system provided exceptional audio quality.

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

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and a semi-autonomous driving system called Pilot Assist. Volvo's decision to limit the top speed to 180 km/h was a unique safety measure.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were more limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard in Canada. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, available on higher trims, added features like forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its lack of advanced driver assistance technologies made it less competitive in terms of safety.