Porsche Cayenne vs Buick Enclave

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne presented itself as a versatile SUV, available in both a standard model with a squared-off rear end and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The lineup ranged from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, each with unique exterior features. The GTS trim, which was the focus of our review, boasted high gloss black trim, a distinctive front fascia with larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers were visible through 21-inch anthracite grey wheels, and the Cayenne Coupe featured an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from colour choices like Carmine Red to various trim and seat belt options. While the pricing could escalate with customizations, the Cayenne promised a unique and personalized driving experience.

The interior of the Cayenne was thoughtfully designed, with a focus on both aesthetics and functionality. Despite the abundance of screens, essential controls like HVAC and volume remained mechanical, ensuring ease of use. The cabin layout was well-organized, with the shifter toggle mounted on the dashboard to maximize storage space. The centre console, however, was prone to sliding with slight pressure, which was a minor drawback in an otherwise well-executed interior. Overall, the Cayenne's cabin offered a blend of luxury and practicality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium SUV experience.

The 2026 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, shared its underpinnings with other General Motors vehicles but carved out its own identity with elegant exterior lines and a welcoming cabin. The Enclave's design featured a swooping hood and narrow accent lights, giving it a streamlined appearance, while the oversized grille tied it to its smaller siblings. The Sport Touring trim we evaluated had a glossy black grille, which could appear overbearing in lighter paint shades. From the side and back, the Enclave's design was understated, blending into traffic with a refined subtlety akin to a well-fitting grey suit.

Inside, the Enclave's interior exuded class with a horizontal dashboard and a modern curved digital display. The materials used were of higher quality than those in the Chevrolet Traverse, with fewer hard plastics and more soft-touch surfaces. However, some driver ergonomics felt off, with the dashboard mounted low, giving the impression of sitting too high. Despite this, the Enclave's cabin was appealing, comparable to the Acura MDX and surpassing the Lexus TX. The top Avenir trim added premium leather upholstery and upgraded ambient lighting, enhancing its luxury appeal.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engine options, each delivering impressive performance. The base model featured a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for most drivers. For those seeking more performance, the Cayenne S offered a V8 engine with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp, though it was only available as a coupe. The plug-in hybrid options delivered up to 729 hp for peak performance enthusiasts. Our GTS-trim tester, with its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, produced 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, making it a formidable performer.

The Cayenne GTS excelled in handling, with precise steering and a low centre of gravity. It could accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 275 km/h. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable, with components borrowed from the Turbo GT enhancing its agility. The optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power, though they required some adjustment. In crowded conditions, the GTS transformed into a comfortable commuter, showcasing its versatility. Porsche's attention to driving dynamics extended to the base model, with options like adaptive air suspension and dynamic chassis control available for those seeking a similar experience.

The 2026 Buick Enclave, powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Enclave offered adequate performance for its class. It could accelerate to 100 km/h in just over seven seconds, though the transmission response felt dull, and the engine noise was noticeable when pushed hard. The brakes were predictable and easy to modulate, while the suspension prioritized ride quality over handling.

During our mountain drive, manual shifting of the automatic gearbox proved useful for maintaining control on ascents and descents. The Enclave's cabin remained quiet at highway speeds, with only minor road noise on coarser surfaces. While the Enclave's power and handling were adequate, its focus on comfort made it a suitable choice for those prioritizing a smooth ride. The Enclave also offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms when equipped with the optional trailering package.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of features, though many were optional. The base model included eight-way power-adjustable seats, heated but not cooled or massaging, and two-zone climate control. As you moved up the trim line, additional features like a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner became available. The options list was extensive, allowing for customization of various interior elements. However, the Cayenne could only accommodate five passengers, with the second row providing ample headroom even in the coupe body style.

The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, with the base V6 engine capable of towing 3,500 kilograms. Cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 772 litres behind the second row and 1,708 litres with the seats folded down. The coupe version offered 576 and 1,486 litres, respectively. The plug-in hybrid models had reduced cargo space due to the battery placement.

The 2026 Buick Enclave, in contrast, came standard with second-row captain's chairs, limiting passenger capacity to seven. The Power package added one-touch folding operation for easier third-row access. The middle-row seats provided ample space for taller passengers, while the third-row seats could accommodate adults up to 5'10". The Enclave offered generous cargo capacity, with 648 litres behind the third row and 1,617 litres with the seats folded. The maximum cargo space reached 2,761 litres with the second row stowed.

The Enclave's interior featured tri-zone automatic climate control, dual USB-C charge ports, and individual folding armrests. The Power package included power-folding third-row seatbacks and a hands-free power liftgate. The front seats provided ample storage, with a wireless charging pad and larger cupholders. The centre armrest bin and door pockets offered additional storage options.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne impressed with its array of screens, including a standard 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The Porsche Communication Management system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, Apple Music, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The head-up display provided pertinent information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne featured four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Buick Enclave featured a bold 30-inch curved digital display housing both the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. It ran on a Google Built-in operating system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard features included a wireless charging pad, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system received high marks for its graphics and response times, with physical buttons for climate controls. The Power package added a head-up display, and voice commands allowed for natural speech patterns. The standard Bose audio system offered decent clarity, with an upgraded 16-speaker system available on the Avenir trim.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features like parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not available for testing. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the Cayenne for safety.

The 2026 Buick Enclave received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, with "Good" ratings in all crashworthiness evaluations. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Power package added a digital rearview mirror and GM's Super Cruise, allowing for hands-free highway driving on select roads.