2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Buick Enclave

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nostalgic nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged, stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model enhanced this tough persona with underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, making it seem ready for any terrain. However, the interior showed its age with outdated technology and styling, featuring an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. While some might find its retro charm appealing, others could mistake it for a well-maintained used vehicle. The interior materials, including hard plastics and vinyl-like upholstery, were typical for off-road vehicles, prioritizing durability over luxury.

In contrast, the 2025 Buick Enclave presented a modern and premium aesthetic, drawing design inspiration from the compact Envista crossover. Its sharp front end, slim DRLs, and angular grille gave it a bold look, while the side profile was more generic. The Enclave's interior felt futuristic, with a floating center console and a large curved display reminiscent of electric vehicles. The seats, trimmed in perforated leatherette with contrast piping, added a touch of luxury. However, the limited availability of a panoramic sunroof was a drawback, especially for a vehicle positioned as near-luxury. Overall, the Enclave's design was a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a more refined and upscale experience.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were competitive with rivals like the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission held it back, resulting in slower acceleration and less efficient fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it well-suited for off-road adventures. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with sluggish acceleration and a noisy engine. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, led to significant body roll and nosedive during braking, affecting overall handling.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The Enclave's fuel economy was slightly reduced with AWD, dropping from 23 to 21 mpg combined. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's Active Noise Cancellation system effectively reduced road noise, but engine noise was still noticeable without the optional upgrade. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at lower speeds, but this was not a significant issue for its target audience.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior was functional but dated, with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road stability. Visibility was excellent, thanks to the forward-positioned roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space, though taller drivers might find the steering wheel's reach limited. The second row provided generous legroom, but headroom was restricted due to the elevated bench. The 4Runner could accommodate up to 89.7 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats stowed, though the process was manual and lacked remote releases. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers in the hatch were unique features, and the 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered a more luxurious interior with eight-way power-adjustable driver's seats and six-way for the front passenger. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a seven-person capacity. The Enclave Avenir trim added heated second-row seats and ventilation for the front row, along with a memory feature for seat positions. Tri-zone climate control was standard, and the power-folding third-row seats were a convenient feature. The AutoSense liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, which offered 22.9 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often overshadowed its quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with pictograms requiring a manual for full understanding. The Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems enhanced off-road capabilities, but the lack of modern off-road apps was noticeable.

The 2025 Buick Enclave boasted a large 30-inch curved display that integrated the infotainment system and digital gauge cluster. While seamless in most cases, Apple CarPlay interrupted the cohesive design. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker upgrade for the Avenir trim. Wireless charging and smartphone integration were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered wired charging for all passengers, with USB ports in each row.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor. The TRD Pro and Limited trims added a surround-view camera system, though only the Limited had parking sensors.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came equipped with advanced safety features, including blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with multiple camera views was standard, and adaptive cruise control was included. The Enclave also featured GM's Teen Driver technology and offered Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving technology, as an option. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received favorable scores, with some areas for improvement.