2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift from Buick's traditionally conservative styling. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort and tradition. However, over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, introduced in 2008 and redesigned in 2018, became a flagship model, offering a more upmarket feel. The 2022 mid-cycle refresh brought several exterior enhancements, including a new grille, fascias, headlamps, taillamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim featured unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave received a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and available heated, cooled, and massaging front seats. The Avenir trim also included standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner maintained its rugged, adventure-ready design, staying true to its roots from the 1980s SUV craze. Unlike many modern SUVs that evolved to car-based platforms, the 4Runner retained its truck-based construction, sharing underpinnings with the Toyota Tacoma pickup. This design choice catered to a niche market of off-road enthusiasts. The 4Runner's high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper emphasized its off-road capabilities. Inside, the 4Runner's functional layout reflected its last full redesign in 2009, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The 2022 model offered various trims, including the SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited, each with unique features catering to different driving needs.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: 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. The Enclave came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave was known for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The AWD-equipped test vehicle handled various terrains admirably, providing a serene cabin experience thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, offering good off-the-line acceleration and pleasant engine sounds at wide-open throttle.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single engine option: a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner offered rear-wheel drive or available 4WD with low range. While the V6 engine was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome, with significant body roll and jostling over bumps. However, these ride qualities became strengths off-road, where the 4Runner excelled. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models included features like Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing off-road performance. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, more than most car-based crossovers but less than compact pickups.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, excellent visibility, and comfortable seating with standard eight-way power driver and six-way power front passenger seats. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated six full-size adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row via standard second-row captain's chairs. The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row. The three-row model provided 88.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The third row was optional on the SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited models, increasing seating capacity to seven. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window for easy access. While the 4Runner's cabin packaging was not as efficient as newer SUVs, it offered adequate space for gear.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims getting an 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously, and included a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave also came with a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance with hitch view, a digital rear camera mirror, and HD surround vision.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. Navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available. The infotainment system's straightforward layout and tactile controls were user-friendly, especially for off-road driving. However, the 4Runner lacked advanced features like a head-up display.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, 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, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, such as forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera system were available. The TRD Pro also featured an off-road camera system. The 4Runner earned four out of five stars for frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing from the NHTSA. The 2022 4Runner had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS. It came with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.