Buick Enclave vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2022 Buick Enclave adopted a refreshed and more modern look, straying from Buick's traditionally conservative designs. Buick's transition over the past decade saw the Enclave evolving into a three-row SUV with a sharper exterior enhanced by new grilles, fascia, headlamps, and taillamps. The Avenir trim, the top of the line, featured unique grille designs, body-colored lower fascias, and distinctive 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. Additionally, the Avenir trim elevated the cabin's comfort with standard heated, cooled, and massaging seats for front passengers, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique seat stitching. In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered a bold, robust design since its 2019 redesign. Shifting away from typical crossover styling, it embraced a more angular and truck-like appearance, marked by a trapezoidal grille and beveled bodywork. Inside, the RAV4 continued this angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts. Material quality was average for its class, with hard plastics in non-contact areas and lightly padded surfaces where it mattered. While the base and new Woodland trims lacked leather-wrapped steering wheels, higher trims offered a more sophisticated feel.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a reliable 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, working with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivered a solid 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Enclave came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available across trims. It also offered a decent towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave provided a quiet ride, enhanced by a Premium Ride Suspension and real-time chassis damping as part of the Avenir Technology package. Even with its hefty weight, the Enclave's off-the-line acceleration was impressive, thanks to the responsive engine and nine-speed transmission. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was driven by a combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, generating a combined 219 horsepower. The setup included a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive facilitated by a second electric motor on the rear axle. The RAV4 Hybrid boasted a respectable 0 to 60 mph time of 7.5 seconds, besting the standard RAV4 by half a second. The brakes operated smoothly, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes when necessary. Though not sporty, the RAV4 Hybrid's suspension offered a smooth ride and confident handling.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space and comfort. Entry and exit were straightforward, thanks to the large doors and high seating position. Its spacious cabin could comfortably accommodate six full-size adults in all three rows. Passengers enjoyed plenty of headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, even in the third row. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, and the push-button gears on the center console increased accessibility. Cargo space was a significant advantage for the Enclave, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a massive 97.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also provided ample space for passengers, particularly in the front seats. The rear seats offered adequate comfort, though taller passengers might wish for better thigh support. Cargo capacity was competitive, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, just slightly less than the non-hybrid version. This space was comparable to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. The rear seatbacks folded flat, though accessing them could be a stretch for shorter owners. The RAV4 Hybrid excelled in interior storage, with useful trays, large cupholders, and ample door pockets for convenient personal item storage.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, upgraded to an 8-inch reconfigurable display in premium trims. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation was standard on higher trims, and up to 10 devices could be paired, with two active simultaneously. Six USB ports were provided for charging and data transfer. Advanced features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and an HD surround vision camera. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a major upgrade to its infotainment system. The graphics were modern and sharp, and the menu layout was logical. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard on most trims, with a 10.5-inch display available on higher trims. All models were equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and included a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional wireless charging pad. The top Limited trim added an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in standardizing advanced safety features across all trims. The Buick Driver Confidence Plus package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and more. Additional features on premium trims included enhanced automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received four stars from NHTSA for rollover resistance and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in most crash tests. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was awarded five stars by NHTSA for overall and side crash protection and received "Good" ratings from the IIHS in most tests. Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite was standard across the RAV4 Hybrid lineup, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim added parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. The RAV4 Hybrid was praised for its reliable performance and received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.