2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that combined a playful and unique exterior with a more subdued rear design. Its front featured a busy arrangement of lights and a distinctive grille, appealing to younger buyers with its funky style. Inside, the Kona maintained its fun attitude with neat seat patterns and a straightforward, intuitive layout. The interior was compact yet well-organized, with a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and physical climate controls, offering a balance of whimsy and practicality.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave was a large SUV that harkened back to Buick's glory days with its impressive size and luxurious design. It was the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, offering a premium look, especially in the Avenir trim with its unique grille and polished wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms and polished accents. The leather seats were soft and embroidered, though the wood accents were not genuine. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a focus on simplicity, except for the somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivered 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. While neither engine was particularly powerful, they provided sufficient power for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was agile and engaging, with a comfortable ride on curvy roads. Fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain, with the base engine and FWD achieving an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with a choice between FWD and AWD. The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic provided smooth shifts, and the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping offered a comfortable ride. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls and displays easily accessible. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked support for spirited driving. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, and the large rear door openings facilitated loading children. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though small-item storage was generous.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated leather seats with a massaging function. The center console provided comfortable storage, and the third-row seat was genuinely useful. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available tech included SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a colorful and responsive interface.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times and a simple user interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Enclave's technology fell short in screen size and smart home integration, with the largest available touchscreen being eight inches.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Buick Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented a Top Safety Pick accolade. Safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package available on Premium and Avenir trims, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more.