Buick Enclave vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Buick Enclave shared its underpinnings with other General Motors vehicles like the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, yet it carved out its own identity with a more refined and inviting cabin that aligned with Buick's entry-level luxury positioning. The exterior featured graceful lines, a swooping hood, and narrow accent lights, creating a streamlined look for an SUV. The oversized grille, particularly in the Sport Touring trim with its glossy black finish, was a dominant feature, though it could appear overbearing depending on the paint color. From the side and back, the Enclave's design was tidy and subtle, blending into traffic with a quiet refinement akin to a well-fitting gray suit. Inside, the Enclave boasted a classy horizontal dashboard with a modern curved digital display, though some driver ergonomics felt off due to the low dashboard placement. The cabin's materials were superior to those in the Traverse, with more soft-touch surfaces, and the top Avenir trim added premium leather and ambient lighting, enhancing its appeal among entry-level luxury brands.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, particularly in its top Platinum trim, presented a conservative yet familiar design reminiscent of the popular RAV4, scaled up to accommodate up to eight passengers and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim, though some materials like glossy hard plastic detracted from the upscale feel. The climate system was straightforward, with large knobs for easy adjustments, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob, which could be frustrating. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, with its turbocharged engine and electric motors, delivered 362 horsepower and a satisfying performance, though it traded some fuel efficiency for power. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though the handling felt secure only up to a modest point. The vehicle's outward visibility was excellent, aided by multiple cameras, though the front camera's frequent takeover of the infotainment screen could be annoying.

The 2026 Buick Enclave was equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While front-wheel drive was standard, our test vehicle featured the optional all-wheel drive system. The Enclave's acceleration to 60 mph was expected to be just over 7 seconds, which was average for its class. However, the driving experience felt slower due to the dull transmission response and loud engine noises under hard acceleration. The brakes were predictable and confidence-inspiring, and the suspension prioritized ride quality over handling, smoothing out road bumps effectively. The top Avenir trim offered adaptive dampers for improved handling and comfort. The Enclave's cabin remained quiet at highway speeds, with only minor road noise on coarse surfaces. Despite its just-adequate power, the Enclave offered a respectable 5,000-pound towing capacity with an optional trailering package.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, with the six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving 27 mpg compared to the regular hybrid's 36 mpg, it also offered a 5,000-pound towing capacity. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route, with an expected 24-25 mpg in typical driving conditions. The powertrain's acceleration was rewarding, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag for confident maneuvering. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though road undulations could cause some vertical and lateral movement. Handling was secure at moderate speeds, but the tires squealed early when pushed hard. The Grand Highlander's visibility was excellent, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a drawback.

The 2026 Buick Enclave offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain's chairs, providing a permanent pathway to the third row. Taller passengers found ample space in the middle row, with raised seat cushions offering a good forward view. The third row accommodated adults up to five-foot-ten comfortably, though the lower seat cushions reduced thigh support. Cargo capacity was generous, with 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet with the second row stowed. The Enclave featured a hands-free power liftgate and ample storage for personal items, including a large center armrest bin and a giant tray under the center console.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating across all three rows, with a maximum cargo space of nearly 100 cubic feet. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, offering heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain's chairs, with a removable center console, allowed for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander's third-row seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample space from the head restraint to the rear liftgate. Cargo space behind the third row was 20.6 cubic feet, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.5 cubic feet with the second row stowed. However, many storage locations were unlined, potentially contributing to noise and vibration.

The 2026 Buick Enclave featured a 30-inch curved digital display for the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, running on a Google Built-in operating system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard features included a wireless charging pad, WiFi hotspot, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was praised for its sharp graphics and quick response, with physical buttons for main climate controls. Voice commands were handled by an Amazon Alexa system, capable of performing various functions with natural speech. The Power package added a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror. While the standard Bose audio system lacked some bass, the top Avenir trim offered a 16-speaker system for improved audio quality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services offered features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, collision notification, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were drawbacks. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to various commands, and the Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered better sound quality than expected.

The 2026 Buick Enclave earned the top "Good" score in all IIHS crashworthiness evaluations and was named a Top Safety Pick+ for 2025. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The optional Power package added a digital rearview mirror and head-up display, along with GM's SuperCruise for hands-free highway driving on select roads.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. While it achieved a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection. Standard features included lane-keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist, though the latter was found to be irritating in some situations. The safety tech operated accurately, though the lane-keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers.