2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave marked a significant recovery for Buick, which had struggled through the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing. The Enclave, a large, American-made SUV, helped Buick regain its footing by appealing to consumer preferences for SUVs. It was the largest of Buick's four SUV offerings, standing out with its impressive looks, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and luxurious leather, although the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was initially fussy but became intuitive with use.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. Toyota had a long history with minivans, and the Sienna continued this tradition with a bold front end and cleverly re-engineered sliding doors. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering ample storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious third row. The Sienna's practicality was evident in its ability to carry a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and its power-operated sliding doors and tailgate added convenience for busy families.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. This setup provided strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially in the Avenir trim. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter featuring a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) provided smooth and efficient power delivery. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system. The standout feature was its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg combined and AWD models getting 35 mpg combined.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured luxurious amenities such as 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, and the vehicle provided ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, and the Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The interior featured numerous storage cubbies, cupholders, and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, making it a convenient choice for families.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, it fell short in terms of screen size, smart home digital assistant integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave did offer a neat rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The Sienna also offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna's technology package included a head-up display in Platinum trim models, providing essential information without requiring the driver to look away from the road.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were somewhat limited, with advanced systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist restricted to higher trims. Adaptive cruise control was only available on the Avenir trim with an optional package. Despite these limitations, the Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though it missed out on a Top Safety Pick accolade due to its Marginal headlight performance.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system, making it a top choice for safety-conscious families.