Compare the2025 Toyota HighlanderVS 2025 Buick Enclave

The Toyota Highlander has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Enclave doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Highlander AWD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Enclave doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Highlander and the Enclave 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 and around view monitors.

The Toyota Highlander achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Enclave has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Highlander’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Enclave’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Enclave.

There are over 16 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 12th.

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander gets better mileage than the Enclave:

For better stopping power the Highlander’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Enclave’s (37.4 feet vs. 39 feet). The Highlander’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Enclave w/22” wheels’ (37.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Buick Enclave.

The Highlander is 1 foot shorter than the Enclave, making the Highlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Enclave can only carry 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander. The Enclave doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (5000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Highlander’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Highlander the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Enclave can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Enclave Avenir’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Highlander Platinum’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Buick Enclave by over four to one during 2023.