The Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer
The crossover SUV segment boomed over the last decade. With every passing year, more and more prospective buyers joined the ranks, trading their sedans for a vehicle that’s better suited to their day to day needs. They were joined by all car manufacturers who struggled to outdo each other in an attempt to gain as much as possible of this newly created, very lucrative market segment.
When it comes to looks, Ford played the safe card and this time it wasn’t quite the winner. Nor is the Ford Explorer a bad-looking car, it’s somewhere in between, average-appeal and it certainly won’t turn any heads on the street. A bit boxy and with a faint old-school vibe, it passes the aesthetics test but just.
The Buick Enclave is modern-looking, with ample lines that seem to flow from its front grille all the way to the back, creating a teardrop effect. It’s also very close to getting a facelift for the 2021 model year, with the new, improved model just months away from being introduced.
At precisely the same gross weight, 6,160 lbs, both cars come with powerful standard engines.
All Buick Enclave SUVs tap a 3.6-liter V-6 that can produce 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a highly-responsive 9-speed automatic and if you fit the towing package, the Enclave can haul upwards of 5,000 pounds, which is truck-like performance.
The Ford Explorer comes with a less powerful engine but only just, in the form of a 2.3-liter turbo-4 that can belt out 300 horsepower. It does however offer two great upgrades that will set you back more but that also deliver more.
The first is naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V-6 hybrid that can churn out 318 combined horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, while the top trim, the Premium Explorer, comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 that will deliver 365 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque.
Better performance but for quite the price hike.
Both Buick and Ford know the US consumer needs comfort and they deliver. The Enclave is spacious and comfortable everywhere you sit. The Explorer does feel cramped in the third row but it’s comfortable anywhere else.
Both cars come with standard perks like an 8.0-inch color touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, LED headlamps, and power-adjustable, heated front seats.
Here at Northwest Hills Chevrolet Buick GMC in Torrington CT, we’re betting many prospective buyers will love the Buick Enclave and that’s why we stocked our showroom floor with all Enclave trim levels and most available colors.
Some of the best models come from the US manufacturers that had plenty of previous experience with the American SUV car class.
Today we look at two of the best luxury crossovers on the market, the Buick Enclave, and the Ford Explorer to see which one of them is better than the other.
As soon as you begin comparing the two vehicles, the struggle ahead is obvious. Both leave very few things you can pick on, and both deliver way beyond their price tag.
Exterior design
When it comes to looks, Ford played the safe card and this time it wasn’t quite the winner. Nor is the Ford Explorer a bad-looking car, it’s somewhere in between, average-appeal and it certainly won’t turn any heads on the street. A bit boxy and with a faint old-school vibe, it passes the aesthetics test but just.
The Buick Enclave is modern-looking, with ample lines that seem to flow from its front grille all the way to the back, creating a teardrop effect. It’s also very close to getting a facelift for the 2021 model year, with the new, improved model just months away from being introduced.
Powertrains
At precisely the same gross weight, 6,160 lbs, both cars come with powerful standard engines.
All Buick Enclave SUVs tap a 3.6-liter V-6 that can produce 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a highly-responsive 9-speed automatic and if you fit the towing package, the Enclave can haul upwards of 5,000 pounds, which is truck-like performance.
The Ford Explorer comes with a less powerful engine but only just, in the form of a 2.3-liter turbo-4 that can belt out 300 horsepower. It does however offer two great upgrades that will set you back more but that also deliver more.
The first is naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V-6 hybrid that can churn out 318 combined horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, while the top trim, the Premium Explorer, comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 that will deliver 365 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque.
Better performance but for quite the price hike.
Overall comfort and tech features
Both Buick and Ford know the US consumer needs comfort and they deliver. The Enclave is spacious and comfortable everywhere you sit. The Explorer does feel cramped in the third row but it’s comfortable anywhere else.
Both cars come with standard perks like an 8.0-inch color touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, LED headlamps, and power-adjustable, heated front seats.
The Explorer drops the ball when it comes to its infotainment system that’s sluggish and no match for the superb, responsive system Buick delivers.
All in all the Ford Explorer and the Buick Enclave are comparable at almost every level and there’s no clear winner between them. We like the Enclave’s look much better and its infotainment system is miles ahead of the Explorer’s while the Explorer does come with more powerful powertrains but at a higher price point.
Here at Northwest Hills Chevrolet Buick GMC in Torrington CT, we’re betting many prospective buyers will love the Buick Enclave and that’s why we stocked our showroom floor with all Enclave trim levels and most available colors.
Visit us today and see why so many crossover owners just like you choose the Enclave as their car.