2021 Buick Enclave vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's true SUV range. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, made it unmistakably a BMW. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights, matte aluminum grilles, and satin aluminum finishes on standard xLine models, while M Sport models boasted body-color matched trims and high-gloss black accents. The interior, though filled with familiar BMW parts, offered plenty of leather and soft-touch materials, with M Sport models adding unique, aggressive styling elements.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick's glory days with its impressive size and presence. The Enclave, especially in Avenir trim, featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir offered a luxurious experience with soft, perforated leather, a minimalist design, and polished accents. The simplicity of the interior was marred only by a fussy electronic transmission shifter, but overall, the Enclave provided a calm and serene cabin environment.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a variety of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 30-mile all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling dynamics were less engaging than expected, with issues at both low and high speeds. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg, and the X5 xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, kept things simple with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. The V6 generated 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and its nine-speed automatic provided smooth shifts. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, enhancing the ride quality across various driving conditions. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined, with a potential range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats, while comfortable for short trips, became hard on longer drives. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button made loading cargo easier. However, the second-row doors did not open very wide, complicating the process of moving children and cargo.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, comfortably seating six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The center console offered ample storage, and the third-row seat was genuinely useful. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 10-speaker sound system. Additional features included voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, premium audio systems, and rear sunshades. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once mastered.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick responses, good voice recognition, and a simple user interface. Standard features included 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 smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The rear camera mirror was a notable feature, providing a live video feed of the rear view.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, especially in sunny or rainy conditions. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were more limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert only available on higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control was only available with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated Marginal.