Who Is the Reigning King of Comfort: The 2024 Ford Explorer or 2024 Buick Enclave?

If you’re in the market for an SUV, you’re in luck. All of the major manufacturers offer their signature twist on Sport Utility, leading to a plethora of options. When you sit down to compare models, though, all those choices can get overwhelming. One approach to wading through all of the options available is focusing on the features you want the most in an SUV. Perhaps you’re looking for an SUV that gets the best mileage for commuting. Or you’d prefer to have a superior sound system. For many drivers, comfort and convenience features are a major factor when deciding which SUV to purchase.

When navigating through all of these options, two brands that are often mentioned are Ford and Buick, both at the forefront of the SUV market, making them great manufacturers to compare and contrast, especially when looking at the 2024 Ford Explorer vs Buick Enclave. But who really comes out on top as the superior three-row SUV that demands your attention? Each has a lot to offer its drivers, so let’s narrow our focus to a simple question: What do each of these SUVs bring to the table when it comes to comfort and convenience? We here at DePaula Ford are confident the Explorer is the better model. But don’t just take our word for it; let’s take a closer look at these two models, and we’ll show you how the iconic Ford Explorer is the better investment for those looking for a spacious SUV packed with tons of desirable features.

It’s About How You Control Your Climate

Think about the last time you were in a car that didn’t have good air conditioning or heating. You can’t call that a comfortable ride, can you? If you live in an area that sees cold winters and hot summers, a good climate control system is vital. Both the Buick Enclave and the Ford Explorer come standard with Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control. This system allows the driver, front passenger, and rear passenger to have individual temperature settings. So, how does this standard feature differ with both models? The Explorer’s climate system can be voice-activated. Turning it on or off, adjusting the temperature, or redirecting the fans is as simple as a simple command. This is not only convenient, but it allows the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road where they belong.

The Infotainment Factor

While we traditionally associate the infotainment center with strictly providing entertainment, it has an important role in creating an environment of comfort and convenience. Listening to your favorite music can bring comfort on a rough day. The apps included with modern infotainment systems can offer a variety of features that make life behind the wheel more convenient.
In the Ford Explorer, the standard touchscreen is 8 inches, with the ability to upgrade to a 10.1-inch screen, depending on the trim you choose. The Enclave only comes with an 8-inch screen. Entry-level Explorer trims offer a notable six-speaker stereo, or you can opt for the B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen and its impressive 14-speaker configuration, which includes a subwoofer. The Enclave comes standard with a similar 6-speaker setup, while higher-end trims offer a Bose system with 10 speakers. While Bose has certainly made a name for itself in the stereo world, those who demand a truly immersive sound experience will want to take advantage of all of the Explorer’s speakers.

Ford has collaborated with Alexa to create the Ford+Alexa app for iPhone or Android. The app connects with the voice-activated SYNC 3 AppLink to give you access to multiple features. You can receive directions with help from voice navigation, get up-to-the-minute traffic information, and even shop with Amazon Prime while you’re behind the wheel of your Ford Explorer. If you have supported smart-home devices, you can also control them from behind the wheel. The Enclave offers Natural Voice Recognition; however, its abilities are limited to radio and phone commands.

A Closer Look at Performance

Even the most luxurious, comfortable interior can be dulled by a poor-quality ride. No one can have a good time when feeling every uneven patch of road, or they have to rescue their drinks before they spill after hitting that pothole. The best rides are armchair comfortable without excess noise or vibration. The Ford Explorer and the Buick Enclave both have front-end strut suspension systems. It’s not a surprise that the test rides of both models have been very positive regarding comfort. The difference is that the Buick requires an expensive upgrade package to surpass the Ford’s configuration.

Let’s take a look at the numbers. The base trim Enclave is $45,295, while the base trim on the Explorer is $36,860.^[a] However, if you want the necessary performance upgrades, you first have to upgrade to the Avenir trim, which starts at $57,500 MSRP. The Avenir Technology package will add another $1200 for a total starting price of $58,700. This package includes two suspension features: hydraulic dampers and steering wheel calibration. The Explorer has gas-powered shock absorbers. The difference is much more subjective than you might think. Hydraulic dampers can result in a smoother ride, but gas-powered shock absorbers maintain greater contact with the road. The gas option is also much less likely to overheat, which will impact the effectiveness of the dampers.

Another thing that should be mentioned is engine options. The Buick Enclave only has one engine option across all trims: a 3.6L V6 that offers 310 hp. The Ford Explorer gives drivers a choice between the 300-hp turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder that comes standard on the Base, XLT, and Limited trims. Or they can upgrade to the King Ranch, Platinum, or ST trim, which offers a 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6.

The Ford Explorer Offers More Comfort for Less

It’s not easy comparing two SUVs that have the kind of history that the Buick Enclave and the Ford Explorer each have. Both are award-winning vehicles that have a lot to offer a driver. That’s why narrowing the lens down to two things, comfort and convenience, in this case, can make the picture clearer. It’s a strategy that works for comparing features between two SUVs, no matter what make and model they happen to be. Everyone has preferences for what matters most to them in a vehicle, and that’s a great place to start when looking for the right one to purchase.
In this particular comparison, the 2024 Ford Explorer is the clear winner. Surpassing the 2024 Buick Enclave is no small feat, which is another indication of the hard work that Ford put into the Explorer. In the end, the result comes down to which has more features for a buyer who values comfort and convenience. The Explorer offers features that affect everything from the headlamps to the stereo system. When you put them all together, you have an SUV that honors the past with its quality and embraces the future with the experience it provides its driver. If you’re looking for a comfortable SUV with convenience features that improve the quality of your life behind the wheel, look no further than the 2024 Ford Explorer.

^[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.