2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 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 an agile form. The iconic upright grille and Thor's hammer-shaped LED headlights added a distinctly Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a nod to Volvo's early adoption of such technology, and the attention to detail in the interior, from the HVAC vents to the harmonious textures and colours, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave represented a shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving from conservative styling to a more modern SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, benefited from a mid-cycle refresh with updated exterior elements like a new grille and wheel designs. The Avenir trim level featured unique styling cues and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a split sunroof. The Enclave's spacious cabin provided ample room for passengers in all three rows, and the power-folding third-row seats enhanced cargo versatility.

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. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 model delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. 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 reaching 415 hp. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and secure driving experience, and the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel consumption figures ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave's AWD system was standard in Canada, and its maximum towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride quality was enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave handled various terrains with ease, and its QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology ensured a serene cabin environment. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed smoothly.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling harsh winter conditions. The XC60's interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical choice for families. Cargo space was generous, with 613 litres behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating for all passengers. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably, and the second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's infotainment system, Sensus, featured a tablet-style touchpad interface with familiar swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The system's portrait orientation and function quadrants made it intuitive for some users, though it required a learning curve. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

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, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's safety features were enhanced for 2022, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trim added features like enhanced automatic emergency braking and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.