2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort and tradition. However, over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned to an SUV-centric lineup, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, introduced in 2008, revitalized Buick's image with its three-row crossover design, and the 2018 redesign pushed it further upmarket. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh with exterior enhancements, including a new grille and wheel designs, particularly in the Avenir trim, which featured unique styling elements. Inside, the Enclave boasted upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and available climate-controlled seating, enhancing its premium feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. Toyota maintained its commitment to the minivan segment, even as other manufacturers abandoned it. The Sienna's design featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, giving it an assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and versatile cabin with ample storage solutions and comfortable seating for all passengers. The interior design avoided the typical minivan feel, providing a more refined and uncluttered experience. The Sienna's practicality was further enhanced by its flexible seating arrangements and generous cargo capacity, making it a family-friendly choice.

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. In Canada, all Enclave trims came standard with all-wheel drive, offering a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave was renowned for its quiet and smooth ride, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Avenir Technology package further enhanced the driving experience with a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. The hybrid system utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing smooth and efficient power delivery. The Sienna's handling was commendable for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. Its fuel efficiency was a standout feature, with Natural Resources Canada rating the FWD model at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. Standard features included power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's cabin provided ample room for passengers in all three rows, with the third row accommodating six-footers comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the rear, and the seats could be flipped and folded for added versatility. 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, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The Sienna's third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and each row offered storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate, with available foot-motion triggers, added convenience for families. The Sienna's towing capacity was 1,585 kilograms, making it a versatile family hauler.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information centre, with an 8-inch version available on higher trims. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 paired devices and included a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims boasted a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although some users desired more power. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. However, it lacked wireless compatibility for these features. The Sienna offered a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect telematics services, along with Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna's instrument panel included a colour multi-information display, with a digital rearview mirror available on select trims. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant safety updates, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. Additional features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, similar to the 2021 model. It also earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Star Safety System added stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. The Sienna featured 10 airbags and multiple LATCH connectors for child seats. A rear-seat reminder system and tire-pressure monitoring were also standard.