2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift from Buick's traditionally conservative styling. Historically, Buick's designs featured softer, less aggressive lines and simple, functional interiors, catering to an older customer base 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 exterior enhancements like a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and available heated, cooled, and massaging front seats, especially in the top-tier Avenir trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 continued its evolution from a "cute-ute" to a mature crossover SUV. Launched in 1996, the RAV4 grew in size and sophistication over five generations, becoming a sales leader. The 2022 model, part of a 2019 redesign, featured angular wheel arches, crisp lines, and expressive headlights, creating a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 boasted a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by an uncomplicated center stack. The Adventure trim, tested for this review, included a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern throughout the cabin, adding a distinctive touch. The RAV4's design emphasized quality and attention to detail, making it a standout in the crowded crossover market.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things straightforward with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Known for its quiet and smooth ride, the Enclave excelled in providing a premium driving experience. The Avenir Technology package, with its premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, further enhanced the ride quality. Despite its size and weight, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, offering good off-the-line acceleration and pleasant engine sounds at wide-open throttle.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for FWD models was 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway/28-30 mpg combined. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor for 217 horsepower and an EPA rating of 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid offered 302 horsepower, 40 mpg city/36 mpg highway/38 mpg combined, and up to 42 miles of electric-only range. The Adventure AWD model tested provided smooth power delivery and car-like handling, with three drive modes to tailor performance.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort and cargo space. Ingress and egress were easy, and visibility was excellent. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated. 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 ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room. The second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easy. Cargo space was generous, 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 down. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, while classified as a small SUV, offered impressive cargo capacity. It provided 37.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The RAV4's payload capacity ranged from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds, depending on the configuration. Towing capacity varied by model, with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 was roomy and comfortable for four adults, with plenty of legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom in the front row. The second-row split-folding bench seat could accommodate five passengers in a pinch. Storage options included cupholders, bottle holders, a roomy glove compartment, and covered storage beneath the center armrest.

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 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 system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously, and included a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims also featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio system, and compatibility with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, with the Premium Audio setup on Limited models and the RAV4 Prime XSE featuring an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation. The RAV4 Prime also included five USB ports, two 12-volt/120-watt auxiliary power outlets, an available 120-volt/1,500-watt AC power outlet, and blue ambient illumination. Additional features included a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad, an available bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates to its safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This package 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 trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota’s Star Safety System, which included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. It also featured LATCH child-seat anchors, child-guard locks, and Safety Connect with emergency assistance. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, standard on all RAV4 models, included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and rear cross-traffic braking. The RAV4 earned IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ ratings and a five-star rating from NHTSA.