2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced as part of a mid-cycle refresh, closely resembled its gasoline counterpart in terms of dimensions and design. Measuring 182.1 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and 66.5 inches in height, it featured the same 19-inch alloy wheels on the Touring trim. Inside, the cabin retained the familiar layout with a 7-inch infotainment screen, unchanged steering-wheel-mounted functions, and a multi-function center console. The hybrid model distinguished itself with blue-outlined Honda emblems, "Hybrid" badges, a hidden exhaust, and LED fog lights on EX trims and above. The gear shifter was replaced with a push-button selector, and paddle shifters were repurposed to adjust brake regeneration.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, a large and impressive SUV, continued to reflect Buick's recovery from past design missteps. Available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, it ranged from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Enclave's design, especially in the Avenir trim, featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Avenir trim boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather seats. The electronic transmission shifter, though initially fussy, became intuitive with use. The Enclave's upscale interior and premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping provided a comfortable and serene driving experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric generator/starter motor, and a propulsion motor, delivering a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. This setup eliminated the need for a conventional transmission, using four fixed-ratio gear sets and a lock-up clutch instead. The hybrid's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 40 mpg city, 35 highway, and 38 combined. In comparison, the gasoline model offered 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque with a CVT, achieving 27/32/29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid's AWD system provided on-demand torque, making it more enjoyable to drive than the gasoline version. However, its EV mode was limited to short distances, and the brake-regen adjustments were the only significant driving options.

The 2021 Buick Enclave came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered both FWD and AWD options. The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave's handling was surprisingly nimble for its size. The Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension and automatic emergency braking, enhanced the driving experience. The Enclave's suspension performed admirably across various driving conditions, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 21.2 mpg, allowing for a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, while maintaining the same exterior dimensions as its gasoline counterpart, sacrificed some cargo space to accommodate the battery pack. It offered 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, compared to the non-hybrid's 39.2 and 75.8 cubic feet. Despite this, the CR-V Hybrid still provided more cargo volume than the Ford Escape Hybrid. The CR-V Hybrid also excelled in passenger comfort, offering more front headroom and rear legroom than its competitors. The configurable center console bin added to its practicality, though the armrest's adjustability was somewhat problematic.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, one of the largest SUVs in its class, provided ample space for six passengers (seven if necessary) and prioritized comfort and quietness. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The center console offered storage and a cover for the cupholders. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious and accessible, with commendable room behind it, measuring 23.6 cubic feet. Folding the third row down increased cargo space to 58 cubic feet, and with the second row folded, the Enclave offered an impressive 97.6 cubic feet of space.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Pandora compatibility, and a single USB connector. Higher trims added a 7-inch touchscreen display, Honda Link, smartphone integration, SiriusXM and HD radio, and additional USB ports. The Touring trim included navigation, wireless device charging, and a premium audio system. However, the infotainment system's lack of haptic feedback and complicated menu navigation were drawbacks.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, good voice recognition, and a user-friendly interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera. However, the Enclave's 8-inch touchscreen, lack of smart home assistant integration, and short free trial periods for connected services were limitations. The rear camera mirror, which provided a live video feed, was a notable feature.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a 5-Star Safety Rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Honda Sensing, which offered automatic braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a multi-angle rearview camera. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were less comprehensive. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on the Essence trim and above. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking were exclusive to the Avenir trim with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology. The NHTSA gave the Enclave a five-star overall rating, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS rated it highly, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.