2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to embrace a more modern and upscale aesthetic. This transformation was part of Buick's broader strategy to focus exclusively on SUVs, a decision that aligned with market trends and revitalized the brand's image. The Enclave, with its refreshed exterior featuring a new grille, updated fascias, and distinctive wheel designs, stood as a testament to this evolution. Inside, the Enclave offered a refined cabin with upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and advanced comfort features, particularly in the Avenir trim, which boasted climate-controlled seats and unique interior accents.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner maintained its rugged, utilitarian design, staying true to its roots as a vehicle built for adventure. Its boxy proportions, high ride height, and functional design elements like the sharply angled front bumper underscored its off-road capabilities. The interior, while functional, showed its age with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. Despite this, the 4Runner's cabin was designed with practicality in mind, offering straightforward controls and a sense of nostalgia for those who appreciated its traditional SUV character. The 4Runner's design choices reflected Toyota's strategy to cater to a niche market of off-road enthusiasts, differentiating it from more family-oriented SUVs like the Highlander.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with the Enclave's AWD system ensuring stability across various terrains. The Enclave's ride quality was enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, making it one of the most comfortable rides in its class. Despite its size and weight, the Enclave offered surprisingly good acceleration, and its QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. While the engine was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations, except when off-road, where its capabilities shone. The 4Runner's ride was rough on paved roads, with noticeable body roll and a jostling experience over bumps. However, off-road, the 4Runner excelled, with its suspension absorbing obstacles effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models further enhanced its off-road prowess with features like Crawl Control and a locking differential.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin was roomy, accommodating six adults comfortably across its three rows, with standard second-row captain's chairs for added convenience. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, though there were concerns about potential spills affecting the electronic components.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner provided a maximum of 2,540 litres of cargo capacity in its two-row configuration, slightly more than the three-row model. The three-row version offered 2,514 litres of maximum cargo space, with limited room behind the rear seats. The 4Runner's cabin, while not the most spacious, was practical, with plenty of storage spaces. Its power rear window was a standout feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. However, the interior packaging felt dated compared to more modern SUVs.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While the system lacked advanced features like a head-up display, it was straightforward and relied on tactile controls, which were appreciated by those who preferred a more analog experience. The 4Runner's infotainment system covered the basics, though it could benefit from more modern advancements.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with standard forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and more. It earned four stars in frontal and side-impact testing from the NHTSA, with three stars for rollover testing. The 4Runner had not been evaluated by the IIHS at the time.