2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a shift towards a more SUV-centric lineup, reflecting broader market trends. The 2022 model, as part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim stood out with its unique styling elements, offering a touch of luxury with its exclusive grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and available comfort features like heated, cooled, and massaging seats, particularly in the Avenir trim, which also included heated second-row captain's chairs.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia maintained its classic design, having last undergone a complete makeover in 2008. Despite its age, the Sequoia's exterior design remained tasteful, with modestly sized grilles and elegant wheel arches. Its dimensions were substantial, contributing to its commanding presence. Inside, the Sequoia's design felt dated compared to modern SUVs, with a smaller 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch driver information screen. However, the interior was built to last, with high-quality materials and a focus on durability. The Nightshade Special Edition added a contemporary touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, enhancing its visual appeal. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was spacious and practical, catering to families with its robust build and ample storage options.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a straightforward powertrain with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Enclave's towing capacity reached up to 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 further enhanced the ride with a premium suspension and real-time chassis damping, ensuring a comfortable journey across various terrains. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, offering good acceleration and a pleasant engine sound, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning technology.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was powered by a robust 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, featuring a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck-based roots contributed to its impressive towing capacity of 7,400 pounds and a payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds. Despite its hefty weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent highway performance and off-road capabilities. However, its fuel economy lagged behind modern standards, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway for both RWD and 4WD models.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable interior. With easy ingress and egress, passengers enjoyed excellent visibility and comfort, thanks to standard power-adjustable seats with lumbar support. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six adults comfortably across its three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated easy access to the third row, which offered ample space even for taller passengers. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless charging pad. The Enclave also boasted impressive cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort with its spacious three-row seating and three-zone climate control. The interior featured a power moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and ample storage options, including a large center console and door pockets. The Sequoia's cargo area offered 18.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 120.1 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The auxiliary 12-volt outlet in the cargo compartment added convenience for outdoor activities. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior remained practical and family-friendly, with a focus on durability and functionality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch version available on higher trims. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 paired devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot for up to four devices. 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 Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch driver information screen. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with WiFi connectivity and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Limited trim added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package featuring 14 JBL speakers. While the Sequoia's technology lagged behind competitors, Toyota updated its exterior lighting to LED and included standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant safety updates, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard across all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave earned "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, featuring pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. Standard blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert added to its safety credentials. The Sequoia also included Toyota's STAR safety system, with stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's robust construction and comprehensive safety features provided peace of mind.