2021 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant step forward for the Buick brand, which had struggled to regain its former glory after a period of decline. The Enclave, with its large, shiny, and impressive design, harkened back to Buick's heyday while catering to modern consumer preferences for SUVs. As the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, the Enclave stood out with its premium styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet luxurious interior with soft leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter, the Enclave's interior was otherwise simple and user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia maintained a more traditional design, having not undergone a complete redesign since 2008. Its exterior, with modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, adhered to the principle that "good taste never goes out of style." The Sequoia's substantial dimensions and ground clearance gave it a commanding presence, while its interior, though dated, was built to last with high-quality materials and tight seams. The Sequoia's Nightshade Special Edition, based on the Limited model, showcased Toyota's efforts to keep the SUV relevant, despite its aging design. The Sequoia's interior, while lacking modern design trends, was practical and durable, making it suitable for families.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth and comfortable, thanks to its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially when equipped with the Avenir Technology Package. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with a combined rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres, allowing for a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia featured a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, providing a robust and reliable powertrain. The Sequoia's truck-based construction contributed to its impressive towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms and a payload capacity of 608 kilograms. However, its fuel consumption was higher, with a combined rating of 16.4 litres per 100 kilometres. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities, thanks to its body-on-frame construction and independent suspension.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, accommodating up to seven passengers with its standard second-row captain's chairs and third-row bench seat. The Enclave's cabin was designed for quiet and comfort, featuring Buick's QuietTuning technology, laminated glass, and active noise cancellation. The Avenir trim added luxurious touches like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a stylish centre console. Cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,764 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. Its three-zone climate control and standard power moonroof enhanced the cabin experience. While ventilated seats were not available in Canada, the Sequoia provided heated front and rear seats in higher trims. The Sequoia's cargo area was versatile, with 535 litres behind the third row, expanding to 3,401 litres with all seats folded, making it ideal for family adventures.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, its 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system fell short compared to competitors. The Enclave offered useful features like a rear camera mirror and a Teen Driver function, but its connected services required subscriptions after short trial periods.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the Sequoia's technology lagged behind competitors. The Platinum and TRD Pro trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Despite its dated tech, the Sequoia featured LED lighting and standard safety technologies like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Buick Enclave offered a range of safety features, but many were restricted to higher trims. Standard features in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, available on Premium and Avenir trims, added forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P, including pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Sequoia also featured the STAR safety system, with stability control, traction control, and more. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's robust construction and comprehensive safety features provided peace of mind for families.