2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a significant shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs in response to market trends. The 2022 model, part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and taillamps. The Avenir trim stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheel design. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials, enhancing the overall comfort and luxury feel, especially in the Avenir trim with its climate-controlled seats and unique stitching.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid drew inspiration from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, evident in its rugged trapezoidal grille and upright fascia. While the front exuded a robust appeal, the side profile introduced a softer character line, reminiscent of the Toyota Supra and Sienna, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear design echoed the front's trapezoidal theme, resulting in a somewhat disjointed overall appearance compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride. Inside, the Highlander's asymmetrical dash featured a metallic styling element that added visual interest and practical storage. The Bronze Edition introduced unique elements like bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric upholstery, though the latter's durability was questionable. The Softex synthetic leather, while practical, lacked the premium feel of genuine leather, which was reserved for higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a robust 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all trims came standard with all-wheel drive, offering a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave was renowned for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. This setup allowed the Enclave to handle various terrains with ease, from highways to city streets. Despite its size and weight, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, offering good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning technology.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine combined with a hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It utilized a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle. The Highlander Hybrid's acceleration was modest, reaching 100 km/h in just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick initial response, but the gasoline engine's hum became a drone under heavy acceleration, particularly on inclines. The braking system, however, was smooth, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort over sportiness, offering a soft ride and a quiet cabin, except when the engine was pushed hard.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated, with power lumbar control. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six adults comfortably across three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which was surprisingly spacious for adults. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with plenty of adjustments for drivers of all sizes. Storage options were abundant, with trays, shelves, and large door pockets. The second-row seats offered generous head- and legroom, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs for added comfort. A third-row bench increased passenger capacity to eight, though the third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with all seats stowed, which was average for the class.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information centre, with an 8-inch version on higher trims. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave supported up to 10 devices with its Wi-Fi hotspot and included six USB ports. Safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available on top trims. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons and separate climate controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. Limited and Platinum trims included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. The Highlander Hybrid's technology offerings were adequate but not exceptional, with some features limited to higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's safety features were significantly enhanced, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, 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 Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, and more. The Highlander Hybrid's safety systems generally performed well, though some features, like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, required fine-tuning.