2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the ability to fold down the windshield and remove the doors. The removable top added to its rugged persona, making it more of a "recreational utility vehicle" than a commuter car. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, focusing on utility with a touch of style. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, was a large, shiny SUV that harkened back to Buick's glory days while addressing modern consumer preferences. It was the largest of Buick's SUVs, offering a luxurious and spacious interior. The Avenir trim added extra presence with a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation, and tasteful polished accents. The seats were wrapped in soft leather, and the wood trim, though not real, added to the sense of luxury. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its controls, though the electronic transmission shifter required some getting used to.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, producing 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, delivering 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine provided excellent low-speed performance and fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. However, the Wrangler's ride was rough, with significant road noise and unique blind spots, making it more suited for off-road adventures than daily commuting.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and it handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive across various driving environments, and it achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was available in two-door and four-door versions, with the latter being more popular. The Wrangler's doors and windshield could be removed, and the roof could be retracted or removed entirely. The base soft top was easy to operate, while the hardtop provided better protection from the elements. The Sky One-Touch roof offered a retractable cloth roof without manual effort. With the rear bench folded flat, the Wrangler Unlimited provided about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than other less-capable SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering roomy seating for six or seven people. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The center console provided ample storage, and the second-row captain’s chairs and third-row bench seat offered comfort and easy access. The Enclave's cargo space measured 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available as an option on the Sport S. The Sahara and Rubicon could also be equipped with an 8.4-inch Uconnect system, adding navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response, good voice recognition, and a simple user interface. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging 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 sound system was not as impressive as those in other SUVs. The rear camera mirror provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were helpful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were limited to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the Essence trim and above. 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 with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only on the Avenir with the 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.