2023 Toyota RAV4 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 shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs, aligning with market trends. The 2022 model, part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique styling elements and luxurious touches, such as climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, offering a premium feel without reaching the luxury levels of its Cadillac counterparts.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 maintained its rugged, truck-like aesthetic, particularly in the Trail trim, which featured a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and distinctive orange interior accents. The RAV4's design, largely unchanged since 2019, emphasized practicality and a sense of adventure, appealing to those seeking a more robust vehicle. The interior, while not as luxurious as some competitors, offered practical storage solutions and a straightforward layout. The RAV4's focus was on functionality, with features like a frameless rearview mirror adding a touch of sophistication to an otherwise utilitarian cabin. The RAV4's design choices reflected its target audience's preference for a vehicle that could handle both urban and off-road environments with ease.

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. This setup 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, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not as powerful as the Enclave, the RAV4's engine provided adequate performance for everyday driving. The AWD system, now standard across all trims, included a Snow drive mode, enhancing its capability in adverse conditions. The RAV4's suspension setup, consistent across the lineup, offered a balanced ride, though it lacked the refinement of the Enclave's premium suspension. The RAV4's engine was noisier, but its performance was reliable and consistent, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency and versatility.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space and comfort, offering a spacious cabin with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. The Enclave's design allowed for easy ingress and egress, and the standard second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row. The Enclave's cargo capacity was impressive, with 668 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The restyled centre console and push-button transmission added a modern touch, though the potential for spills raised concerns about the electronic components.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, designed to seat five, offered competitive interior dimensions, though it fell short in some areas compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V. The RAV4 provided 1,059 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded, placing it in the middle of its class. The RAV4's interior focused on practicality, with convenient storage options and a rugged design. The lever-style gear shifter and side-by-side cupholders emphasized its utilitarian nature, appealing to those seeking a functional and versatile vehicle.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a comprehensive infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on the Essence trim and navigation added on Premium and Avenir trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to pair up to 10 devices. The Avenir trim included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though some users desired more power. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced features, such as adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.5-inch screen available on the Limited trim. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with over-the-air updates ensuring it remained current. The Limited trim also featured an 11-speaker JBL audio system, providing a premium listening experience. The RAV4's technology suite included connected services like Safety Connect and Drive Connect, though some required a subscription. The Trail and Limited trims offered a wireless charging pad, adding convenience for tech-savvy users.

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

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with the TSS 2.5 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, reflecting its strong performance in crash tests and safety evaluations.