Toyota Land Cruiser vs Buick Enclave

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to its North American debut year. This version featured a retro aesthetic with round headlights and basic equipment, available in three paint colours. Despite its nostalgic charm, the 1958 model was priced at $73,270, including destination charges, making it a significant investment. The Cruiser trim, priced at $82,030, presented a more modern and upscale appearance, with additional colour options and a more refined interior. It also included essential off-roading hardware and software, with the option for a Premium Package that added leather and advanced technology. The Cruiser trim test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased a Heritage Blue and Grey paint job, 20-inch wheels, and an accessory roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $90,603. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capabilities, with a traditional two-box SUV shape and dark grey cladding underscoring its utility. Inside, the Cruiser trim offered a more luxurious feel than the 1958, with Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2026 Buick Enclave shared its underpinnings with other General Motors vehicles but distinguished itself with a unique personality. Its exterior featured graceful lines, a swooping hood, and narrow accent lights, creating a streamlined look. The oversized grille, particularly in the Sport Touring trim, added a bold touch, though it could appear overbearing in lighter paint shades. From the side and back, the Enclave's design was tidy and subtle, akin to a well-fitting grey suit. Inside, the Enclave boasted a classy horizontal dashboard with a modern curved digital display. The materials quality surpassed that of 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. Among entry-level luxury brands, the Enclave's cabin was as appealing as the Acura MDX, though non-luxury SUVs like the Toyota Grand Highlander offered similar experiences in higher trims. The top Avenir trim added premium leather and upgraded ambient lighting, enhancing its luxury appeal.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, channelled through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser boasted a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms and featured standard Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. The Cruiser trim added Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes, Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature. Despite an official fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing revealed a less efficient 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its tires and suspension tuning. It offered a high driving position with excellent visibility, making it easy to park and manoeuvre on trails. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Crawl Control. While powerful and responsive, the Land Cruiser exhibited rear-end squat during acceleration and nosedive during hard braking, favouring a slow and steady driving style.

The 2026 Buick Enclave was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 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, though the transmission response and engine noise detracted from the experience. The brakes were predictable and easy to modulate, while the suspension prioritized ride quality over handling. The Enclave's performance was adequate, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms when equipped with an optional trailering package. On mountain journeys, manual shifting of the automatic gearbox was useful for gear selection, though the process was cumbersome. At highway speeds, the cabin remained quiet, with only minor road noise on coarser surfaces. Overall, the Enclave focused on comfort, with power and handling taking a backseat.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim replaced cloth upholstery with SofTex artificial leather, adding ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package introduced real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2026 Buick Enclave featured standard second-row captain's chairs, limiting passenger capacity to seven but providing a central pathway to the third row. The Power package included one-touch folding for the captain's chairs, enhancing third-row access. The middle-row seats offered ample space for taller passengers, with a raised seating position for better visibility. The third-row seats accommodated adults up to 5'10", though thigh support was limited. Cargo capacity was generous, with 648 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,617 litres with the third-row seats folded and 2,761 litres with the second row stowed. The Enclave's front seats provided ample storage, with a wireless charging pad and large cupholders. The Power package added power-folding third-row seatbacks and a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays, featuring the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered four connected service plans, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Buick Enclave showcased a 30-inch curved digital display with a Google Built-in operating system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system received praise for its graphics and response times, with physical buttons for climate controls. The Power package added a head-up display and GM's Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving. Voice commands handled audio, phone, and navigation functions, while the Bose audio system offered decent clarity.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, and a road sign reader. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Buick Enclave earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crashworthiness evaluations. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot monitor. The Power package added a digital rearview mirror and Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving. Super Cruise was praised for reducing driver fatigue on long trips.