2021 Toyota Sequoia 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 find its footing again, largely due to its popularity in China. The Enclave, as the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, embodied the brand's return to its roots with its impressive size and American-made craftsmanship. Available in trims like Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, the Enclave was priced between $41,000 and $55,000. Its design, especially in the Avenir trim, was striking, with a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a luxurious feel with its two-tone interior, leather seats, and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple yet elegant, marred only by a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, continued to offer a robust presence. Introduced in 2007, the Sequoia had received minor updates over the years, including a facelift in 2018 and the addition of a Nightshade Special Edition in 2021. Its design was imposing, with subtle updates that might have been overlooked due to its large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's design was reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a massive center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that seemed small against the expansive dash. Despite its size, the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample space and comfort. The Sequoia was available in trims like SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum, each offering a range of features from unique styling touches to off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Enclave's acceleration was strong, aided by the low torque peak, and it handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic transmission was smooth, and the FWD model allowed for momentary tire spin before traction control intervened. The Enclave's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, provided a premium-tuned ride with continuously variable damping, making it suitable for various driving conditions. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 21.2 mpg, allowing for a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with low range. The Sequoia's acceleration was robust, even with its weight of up to 6,000 pounds. The six-speed transmission, while a throwback, held gears longer under hard acceleration, impacting fuel economy. The Sequoia drove like a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes, offering a driving experience similar to a pickup. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some competitors but still respectable for its class.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering a spacious and quiet cabin for up to seven passengers. Buick's QuietTuning, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated windshield glass contributed to a serene interior. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, massaging front seats wrapped in soft leather, along with a heated, wood-and-leather steering wheel. The center console was stylish and functional, with ample storage. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through large rear doors. Cargo space was commendable, with 23.6 cubic feet 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 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with it folded. With all rear seats down, it offered 120 cubic feet of cargo space, making it one of the roomiest in its class. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing for easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep door pockets and a massive center console for storage. Despite its age, the Sequoia provided ample space for passengers and cargo, though newer SUVs had improved on space utilization.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times, voice recognition, and a simple user interface. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera. However, the Enclave's technology fell short in screen size, smart home integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the Bose sound system was not as advanced as competitors. A notable feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of the rear.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was from Toyota's previous generation, but it was user-friendly, with simple menus and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but easy to navigate. While the Sequoia's technology was dated, its simplicity was appreciated.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems worked well, but many features were restricted to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control was only available on the Avenir with the Technology Package. The Enclave lacked advanced features like lane-centering assistance and self-parking. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS rated it highly, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came fully equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. While it lacked advanced features like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia offered a comprehensive list of safety features. However, it scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test and had not been rated in further crash tests.