Compare the2025 Buick EnclaveVS 2024 Toyota Highlander

The Enclave has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Highlander doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Enclave has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Highlander Limited/Platinum offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the Enclave and the Highlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The Enclave’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Highlander’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 63 more horsepower (328 vs. 265) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 310) than the Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander (19.4 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander (21.7 vs. 17.9 gallons).

The Enclave has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Highlander doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the Highlander (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R18). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Highlander (275/45R22 vs. 235/65R18).

The Enclave’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The Enclave’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Highlander XSE/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Highlander LE/XLE. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Highlander XSE/Limited/Platinum.

The Buick Enclave’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Toyota Highlander only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Enclave offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Highlander’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the Highlander (120.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Enclave is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Highlander.

The front grille of the Enclave uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Highlander doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Enclave uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Highlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Enclave has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 3.2 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom, 1.5 inches more rear hip room, 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.2 inches more third row headroom, 4.1 inches more third row legroom, 2.9 inches more third row hip room and 2.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Highlander.

The Enclave’s cargo area provides more volume than the Highlander.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Enclave’s optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Highlander doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Enclave uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Highlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 21st.

The Enclave’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Enclave’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Highlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Enclave’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Highlander doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Enclave’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Highlander offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Highlander Limited/Platinum.

The Enclave Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Highlander.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Highlander XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The Enclave’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Highlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.