2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, priced at $42,083, was fully loaded with almost every option. Despite its high price, it looked like a standard RAV4, similar to those found at rental car lots. The trim level deserved larger wheels, and an Adventure trim would have been a great addition, but the electronic AWD system wasn't up to that task. The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance, needing only bolder wheels to complete the look. Inside, it was stylish and practical, though the quality was inconsistent, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. A rattle from the license plate was a minor annoyance.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, historically conservative in design, had undergone a significant transformation over the past 15 years, shifting from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio. The Enclave, introduced in 2008, replaced older models and was well-received. A 2018 redesign moved it upmarket, and the 2022 mid-cycle refresh brought new exterior styling enhancements and a restyled center console. The Avenir trim level featured unique design elements and premium materials, including heated, cooled, and massaging front seats. The Enclave's interior was spacious and comfortable, with a deep red Rich Garnet Metallic color and Ebony perforated leather seats in our test vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, generating 219 horsepower. The rear electric motor provided standard AWD. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. It weighed between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, and the instant electric-motor torque made it feel lively. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg in combined driving, and our testing averaged 39.7 mpg. The CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid handled well on roads, though the tires lacked grip. It had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and performed well on light off-road trails.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It came standard with FWD, with AWD available on all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds. The Avenir Technology package included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping, providing a smooth and quiet ride. The Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed well. The Enclave handled various terrains admirably, though it wasn't designed for off-road use. The AWD and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road trails and wintry conditions.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. The rear seats provided decent legroom and excellent foot space, with a reclining backrest and heated cushions. The dashboard was well-arranged, with large climate control knobs and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Storage was accommodating, with useful shelves and a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 69.8 cubic feet.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility. It featured an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control. The Premium and Avenir trims added massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, with ample room for passengers in all three rows. The restyled center console included new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats made accessing the cargo space easier.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered several infotainment systems, with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Our test vehicle had an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition technology was impressive, though it couldn't adjust climate settings. The JBL sound system was satisfactory, and the RAV4 Hybrid offered a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch reconfigurable version on Premium and Avenir trims. The Essence trim had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. The 10-speaker Bose system in Premium and Avenir trims was superior to the standard six-speaker system. The Enclave also included a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a road-sign recognition system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim level, and rear automatic braking was available on the Hybrid Limited. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Other standard safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder system, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received four out of five stars for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.