2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Buick Enclave

Once upon a time, Buicks had a reputation for being big, shiny, and impressive vehicles. However, during the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing, that perception changed. Buick took a long time to recover from the mistakes that crippled its success potential. Thanks primarily to its popularity in China, Buick survived as one of the four remaining brands following the 2009 General Motors bankruptcy.

In subsequent years, Buick rebranded itself with globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles such as the Encore from South Korea and the Regal from Germany. Despite a diverse lineup that included a convertible (Cascada), a sports wagon (TourX), a sport sedan (Regal GS), and a luxury car (LaCrosse), the American-made Enclave SUV anchored Buick to its prestigious past while addressing contemporary consumer preferences for SUVs.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was the largest of Buick's four-SUV lineup, vastly out-sizing the Encore, Encore GX, and Envision. The Enclave was available in four trims: Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir, with pricing ranging from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. It competed with the higher-priced three-row SUVs from mainstream brands and the lower-tier luxury models.

Aesthetically, the Enclave had the looks to compete with higher-priced SUVs. The Avenir trim elevated its presence with a unique grille pattern, additional brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the upscale theme continued with organic forms, a minimalist approach to controls, and soft, perforated leather seats. However, a faux wood trim detracted somewhat from the otherwise luxurious impression. The interior was simple with the exception of the electronic transmission shifter, which proved easy to get accustomed to.

In contrast, Toyota had tried the Venza concept before, from 2009 to 2015, but it largely went unnoticed. The Venza made a comeback for the 2021 model year on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform, which underpinned several other successful models like the Camry, RAV4, and Highlander. Measuring 186.6 inches in length, 73 inches in width, and 65.9 inches in height with a 105.9-inch wheelbase, the Venza was on the shorter end of the midsize crossover SUV segment.

The 2022 Toyota Venza boasted excellent proportions and a sleek exterior that could easily fit into the Lexus lineup. Its deeply scalloped body side that bulged into the rear fender and LED stripe-bisected tailgate were standout features. The Venza's front overhang diverged from traditional SUV design optimized for off-road use, indicating that it was better suited for urban settings.

Inside, the Venza featured high-quality materials and an elegantly layered dashboard. The steep windshield provided depth, and the touchscreen display was conveniently positioned atop the center stack. Both front and rear seats offered solid comfort, with the rear bench designed to accommodate three adults easily.

Under the 2021 Buick Enclave’s hood was a straightforward yet sturdy 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain setup offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Generating 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,800 rpm, the Enclave exhibited surprisingly strong acceleration. When properly equipped, it could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The driving experience was notably refined, thanks to the V6’s low torque peak. The Enclave, despite its size, handled like a smaller SUV, and its nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly. Our test vehicle, outfitted with the Avenir trim and priced at $57,090, impressed with an optional Avenir Technology Package. This package included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking at highway speeds.

During a 140-mile test loop that included urban streets, steep canyon roads, and highways, the Enclave's ride proved exceptionally smooth and well-suited for diverse driving conditions. Despite its size, the Enclave maintained excellent control and comfort, though a quicker steering response could have improved the driving experience. Fuel economy was decent at 21 mpg combined, equating to a theoretical maximum range of 460 miles on a full 21.7-gallon tank.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine teamed with three electric motors, collectively generating 219 horsepower. The hybrid setup enabled both high efficiency and strong performance, with different drive modes available to tweak its capabilities. Regenerative braking recharged the lithium-ion battery, further optimizing fuel efficiency.

The Venza drove smoothly and was agile, akin to the Camry due to their shared wheelbase. Though it lacked the aggressive cornering characteristics of sportsier models, its focus was on providing a comfortable and efficient driving experience. The hybrid powertrain translated to fewer fuel stops and an impressive range of over 500 miles on a full tank of gas.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was a formidable contender in the spaciousness category within its class. Its wide and long body provided ample room for up to seven passengers, making it one of the more comfortable and serene vehicles in its segment. Active Noise Cancellation, along with laminated windshield glass, contributed to a peaceful cabin environment.

The Avenir trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat, both with basic massaging functions. Heated and ventilated seats wrapped in soft leather, along with a heated steering wheel, enhanced comfort. The Enclave's stylish center console provided ergonomic storage and hid the cupholders when not in use.

Standard seating included second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench, but no second-row bench or window sunshades were offered. Triple-zone climate control was standard, and the Avenir trim added heated second-row seats. The third-row seat was surprisingly usable, though not as spacious as some competitors.

Cargo space was impressive, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down. Accessing the third row was made easier by the large rear doors and captain’s chair gap.

The 2022 Toyota Venza offered seating for five with front bucket seats and a 60/40-split folding rear bench. Both rows provided good headroom and legroom, with the second row featuring 45.2 inches of hip room. The Limited trim level offered a panoramic glass roof, further enhancing the airy cabin feel.

Convenience features abounded, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way power-adjustable passenger seat in higher trims. The electric parking brake created more space in the center console, and practical amenities like sliding sun visor extensions and numerous storage options, including a large glove compartment, added practicality.

Cargo capacities were slightly less than the Enclave, with 28.8 cubic feet available behind the second row and up to 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The hybrid battery's placement under the rear seats had minimal impact on cargo space. Toyota also focused on creating a serene cabin with added sound-blocking materials.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvements in its infotainment offerings to truly compete in the premium segment. While the existing Buick Infotainment System met basic expectations with responsive inputs and adequate voice recognition, it lagged behind competitors in screen size, digital assistant integration, and high-end audio options. The largest available touchscreen was an 8-inch display, and it lacked integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The 10-speaker Bose sound system was also less impressive compared to other luxury SUVs.

Despite these shortcomings, the Enclave did include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and USB charging ports across all three rows. Additional upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera. A notable feature was the rear camera mirror, which provided a live video feed of the area behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came equipped with a comprehensive hybrid powertrain system requiring no charging infrastructure, thus eliminating range anxiety. The hybrid setup was seamless and required no special attention, appealing to those unable to install home charging stations or find reliable public chargers.

The Venza's infotainment and connectivity features were more advanced. Base models came with an 8-inch touchscreen and numerous connectivity options, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a nine-speaker JBL audio system, with capacitive touch controls and an available head-up display. The Venza also offered robust Connected Services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect.

Overall, Toyota's technological integration was superior, providing more advanced features and better user experience with its infotainment offerings.

Safety was a mixed bag for the 2021 Buick Enclave. While the safety systems worked effectively, many essential features were restricted to higher trims. For instance, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available from the Essence trim upward, and advanced features like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning were limited to the Premium and Avenir trims with the Driver Confidence Plus Package.

Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was exclusive to the Avenir trim. Buick did not offer more advanced safety technologies like lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, or self-parking functions. Despite these limitations, the Enclave earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars due to a lower front passenger rating.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza was packed with standard safety features. The Toyota Star Safety System included essential features like stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a rearview camera. Additionally, the Venza came with eight airbags, LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats, and child protector locks.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) was also standard, adding forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims included front and rear parking assist with automated braking and fog lamps. The Venza earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.