2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Buick Enclave

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup with a more sophisticated cabin. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, featured Canyon River Blue paint and a price tag of $41,175, including destination charges. The CR-V's conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique look, though it appeared visually heavy over the front wheels. The rear quarter view was its best angle, with Volvo-like taillights and a tidy design. Inside, the CR-V Sport Touring boasted leather seats with orange contrast stitching and quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vents, contributing to a sense of sophistication.

The 2025 Buick Enclave resembled a larger version of the Envista, with a sharp design featuring slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline. While its side profile was somewhat generic, the Enclave appeared bolder than its predecessor. It had fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. The base Preferred trim and Sport Touring came with 20-inch wheels, while the Avenir trim featured 22-inch wheels with a special finish. Inside, the Enclave felt modern and premium, with a floating center console and a large curved display. The Sport Touring test car had perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's feel. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, with the panoramic power sunroof only available on higher trims.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels. The EPA estimated 37 mpg in combined driving for the Sport Touring, but our test vehicle achieved only 32.4 mpg on a mountainous route. The CR-V Hybrid offered a quiet ride with predictable handling, though the steering felt unusually heavy. While it was easy to drive, it wasn't designed for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front or all four wheels. The Enclave's fuel economy was 23 mpg combined for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's Active Noise Cancellation targeted road noise effectively, but engine noise was noticeable without the optional upgrade. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at slower speeds, but this was not a significant issue for its class.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The driver's seat was 10-way power-adjustable, while the front passenger seat had limited adjustments. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control were standard. The CR-V's rear doors opened wide, making it easy to install child safety seats. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with generous legroom and USB-C charging ports. The cargo area offered 34.7 cubic feet of space in the Sport Touring, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a seven-person capacity. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with additional features like heated second-row seats and ventilation available on higher trims. Tri-zone climate control was standard, and the second-row seats could be folded and slid with a power feature. The Enclave's cargo space measured 22.9 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a premium sound system were reserved for higher trims. The Sport Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind.

The 2025 Buick Enclave boasted a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker system available on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered wired charging with USB ports in each row.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023, but NHTSA ratings were not available.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and more. HD Surround Vision and adaptive cruise control were standard, with Super Cruise available as an option. The Enclave had not yet been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received favorable ratings.