Buick Enclave vs Lexus TX

The 2026 Buick Enclave shared its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, yet it distinguished itself with a unique personality. Its exterior featured graceful lines, a swooping hood, and narrow accent lights, creating a streamlined look for an SUV. The oversized grille, particularly in the Sport Touring trim with its glossy black finish, was a dominant feature. While the Enclave's side and rear design were subtle and blended into traffic, its interior offered a classy horizontal dashboard with a modern curved digital display. The materials used were superior to those in the Traverse, with fewer hard plastics and more soft-touch surfaces. However, some driver ergonomics were slightly off, with the dashboard mounted low, giving the impression of sitting too high.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages, each with distinct features. The TX 350 came with a Luxury package, while the 500h hybrid included the F Sport Performance 2 package. The exterior retained a large grille and sharp bi-LED headlights, with rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX provided three interior colour options and ambient lighting, though the material quality fell short of luxury standards. The redesigned door handles were a unique feature, reacting to pressure rather than pulling out. Despite some innovative elements, the overall material quality and attention to detail in the cabin were lacking compared to competitors like the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

The 2026 Buick Enclave was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, it accelerated to 100 km/h in just over seven seconds. However, the transmission response was dull, and the engine noise was loud when pushed hard. The brakes were predictable and easy to modulate, while the suspension prioritized ride quality over handling. The top Avenir trim offered adaptive dampers for improved comfort and handling. Despite its adequate power, the Enclave provided a respectable towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms when equipped with an optional trailering package.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 featured a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 hp. The gas model had an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 came with electronically controlled full-time all-wheel drive, while the TX 500h featured Lexus’s Direct4 AWD system. Drivers could choose between Normal, Eco, or Sport drive modes, with Sport mode offering increased throttle sensitivity. The 500h also included adaptive suspension and rear steering for enhanced handling. While not designed as a sports car, the TX provided a balanced driving experience with options for improved performance.

The 2026 Buick Enclave offered second-row captain's chairs as standard, limiting passenger capacity to seven. The Power package included one-touch folding operation for easier third-row access. Middle-row seats provided ample space for taller passengers, while the third row accommodated adults up to 5'10". Cargo capacity was impressive, with 648 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,617 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,761 litres with all rear seats stowed. The Enclave featured a hands-free power liftgate and ample storage for personal items, including a large centre armrest bin and a giant tray under the centre console.

The 2026 Lexus TX included three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and plenty of headroom. A one-touch button on the second-row seat allowed easy entry to the third row, though folding the second row flat was more complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. Cargo space was excellent, with 572 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row flat, and a total of 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The TX also offered a 120-volt/1,500-watt outlet in the second row for larger items.

The 2026 Buick Enclave featured a 30-inch curved digital display housing the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. It ran on a Google Built-in operating system with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was praised for its sharp graphics and quick response times. Physical buttons for climate controls allowed for less distracting adjustments. The Power package added a head-up display and GM's Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving. The standard Bose audio system lacked some punch, but the top Avenir trim offered a 16-speaker system for improved audio quality.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch colour touchscreen that was easy to use but lacked some features. Steering wheel buttons controlled adaptive cruise control and volume, but their multi-functional nature and lack of labels made them confusing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occurred. Subscription services included in-dash navigation and a voice assistant. The back-up camera offered a bird’s-eye view, and the Advanced Park system handled parking duties. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices stayed charged, and the second row had a 120-volt/1,500-watt outlet for larger items.

The 2026 Buick Enclave received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crashworthiness evaluations. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and a surround-view camera system. The optional Power package added a digital rearview mirror and GM's Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was slow to resume speed. The NHTSA rated the TX five out of five stars for crash safety, while the IIHS gave it an "Acceptable" score for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and a "Good" score for the passenger’s side.