2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's resurgence from its past struggles. Once a brand known for its grandeur, Buick had faced a decline during the Malaise Era but managed to survive due to its popularity in China. The Enclave, a large and impressive SUV, was a nod to Buick's glorious past while catering to the modern consumer's preference for SUVs. It was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a luxurious and spacious interior, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured unique styling elements and upscale materials. Despite its size, the Enclave maintained a simple and elegant design, both inside and out, with a focus on comfort and ease of use.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, giving it a modern and futuristic appearance. The ID.4 was built on VW's MEB platform, prioritizing cabin space over a traditional "frunk" for extra storage. Its interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist design with a tech-forward approach, including a unique gear selector and a focus on efficiency with features like a heated steering wheel and seats. The ID.4's design aimed to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline vehicles, while still offering the benefits of an electric powertrain.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth and comfortable, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially when equipped with the Avenir Technology Package. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two powertrain configurations: a rear-wheel-drive version with a single electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, and an all-wheel-drive version with dual motors generating 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a smooth ride and balanced handling. Its electric motor provided instantaneous torque, making acceleration from stoplights enjoyable. However, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience with friction brakes.

The Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for up to seven passengers. Its interior was designed for comfort and quietness, featuring heated and ventilated leather seats with massaging functions, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and a spacious centre console. The Enclave provided 668 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,764 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The Volkswagen ID.4, while not as spacious as some gasoline crossovers, offered more front and rear headroom than many of its EV competitors. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,818 litres with the seats folded. The ID.4's interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility, although rearward visibility was limited. The centre console offered limited storage, but the cabin was designed to maximize space for passengers.

The Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, its screen size and audio components were less impressive compared to competitors. The Avenir trim offered a rear camera mirror and a premium sound system, but Buick's connected services required subscriptions after short trial periods.

The Volkswagen ID.4 featured a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5.3-inch display for the instrument cluster. Its haptic touchpads and voice-control system offered a modern interface, though some controls were unintuitive. The ID.4 also introduced ID.Light, a light strip that communicated information to the driver. While some features felt gimmicky, the infotainment system was well-positioned and easy to navigate.

The Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. Standard features in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The Volkswagen ID.4 was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. It offered a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with Travel Assist. Travel Assist provided automated lane centring, enhancing highway driving safety.