2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Buick Enclave

In the past, Buick opted for a more conservative approach to vehicle design, with softer lines and functional, uncomplicated interiors that appealed to an older customer base. But over the last decade and a half, Buick transformed its lineup drastically, eliminating traditional sedans in favor of SUVs. This strategic pivot towards SUVs made Buick more relevant, particularly with the debut of the Enclave in 2008, which replaced older models like the Rendezvous and the Terraza minivan.

The 2022 Buick Enclave benefited from a mid-cycle refresh that included a new grille, revised front and rear fascias, updated headlamps and taillamps, and fresh wheel designs. The top-tier Avenir trim featured its own exclusive exterior elements and 20-inch wheels, enhancing its upscale look. Inside, the Enclave saw updated materials throughout, a redesigned center console with push-button gears, and upgraded seating that included available heated, cooled, and massaging options. The interior of the Avenir trim in particular featured unique trim and stitching, elevating its luxury feel. Our test vehicle in the deep red Rich Garnet Metallic color with Ebony leather accents provided a compelling blend of elegance and comfort, although it still fell short of the luxury offered by brands like Cadillac.

As for the 2023 Toyota Sienna, Toyota worked hard to shed its minivan stereotype. The front-end design resembled a Japanese bullet train, and higher trims even sported 20-inch wheels. The minivan came in several trims, including the newly introduced 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim level appeared to be the sweet spot for value-conscious buyers, adding practical features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, our Platinum trim test vehicle impressed with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The Sienna could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, and even supported three-across car seats in the middle row for larger families.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things straightforward with a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain optioned with all-wheel drive (AWD) could tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Enclave excelled in providing a smooth, quiet ride, especially with the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and advanced chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly. Even at wide-open throttle, the engine emitted pleasant sound notes, adding a bit of unexpected character to the overall driving experience.

By contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna moved to an all-hybrid powertrain, pairing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, resulting in a combined 245 horsepower. Although this setup was less powerful than some competitors, the Sienna excelled in maneuverability and city driving, thanks to its light steering and nimble chassis. It offered different drive modes, such as Normal, Eco, and Sport, although Normal mode seemed to be the best fit for everyday driving. While the Sienna lagged in acceleration compared to the more powerful Honda Odyssey, it made up for it with enjoyable handling and ease of driving around town.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made getting in and out simple, thanks to its midsize crossover design. It boasted excellent visibility due to its large windshield and windows and offered standard eight-way power driver and six-way power front passenger seats, both heated. Higher trims added massaging seats and heating for the second row. Interior space was ample, with room for six full-size adults in all three rows, though fitting a seventh adult might be cramped. The center console featured new push-button transmission gears, which freed up space but raised concerns about spills affecting the electronics. Cargo space was generous, offering 23.6 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 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 to the convenience.

Minivans like the 2023 Toyota Sienna thrived on their multifunctional interiors, and the Sienna was no exception. It offered a variety of storage solutions, including a spacious cubby under the center console and a long shelf across the dashboard. With over 200 inches in length and a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna maximized its interior space. It featured 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 101 cubic feet of cargo space. Although its middle-row seats couldn’t be removed or stowed like in some competitors, those seats were flexible and comfortable, with features like extending ottomans and long tracks for sliding. This made accommodating adults in the third row much easier.

From the driver’s seat of the 2022 Buick Enclave, you’d experience a driver information center, with the size varying by trim. All trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Navigation was included in the higher trims. The infotainment system allowed pairing up to 10 devices, and a built-in WiFi hotspot could accommodate four devices up to 50 feet away. The top trims came with a 10-speaker Bose system, but it lacked a bit in volume for back-seat passengers. Additional tech features included a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and several safety and driver-assist features, which functioned reliably without false alarms.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, however, lagged behind with its older infotainment system. Although it included SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it required a wired connection for the latter two. Its interface was functional but felt outdated and sometimes clunky, requiring additional steps just to access Android Auto. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system offered good sound quality. Despite these flaws, the Sienna’s technology was reliable and functional, with some physical buttons that enhanced overall usability.

Safety was a strong point for both vehicles. The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and a head-up display. While the Enclave hadn’t been fully rated by the NHTSA, it received four out of five stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS also awarded high marks, except for an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in standard safety features, boasting automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, among others. These features were especially valuable in a family-oriented vehicle. The Sienna received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ winner from the IIHS for its 2022 model, indicating strong performance in safety tests.