Compare the2026 Buick EnclaveVS 2026 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 4Runner doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Buick Enclave’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Toyota 4Runner.

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 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro offers Parking Support Brake.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Enclave uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Enclave and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Enclave is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Enclave	4Runner
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Enclave is much safer than the 4Runner:

	Enclave	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	180/315 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	180/315 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Chest Rating
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Enclave is 1.1% to 1.9% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner.

The Buick Enclave achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The 4Runner is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

Warranty

The Enclave’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 4Runner’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

Engine

The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (328 vs. 278) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 317) than the 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (328 vs. 323) than the 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 2 more horsepower (328 vs. 326) than the 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Buick Enclave is faster than the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl.:

	Enclave	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.9 sec	20.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.1 sec	8.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.1 sec	3.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.3 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	90 MPH
Top Speed	130 MPH	115 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Enclave FWD gets better fuel mileage than the 4Runner Limited RWD (20 city/25 hwy vs. 20 city/24 hwy).

The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (21.7 vs. 19 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 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

The Enclave stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Enclave	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	148 feet	150 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the 4Runner (255/55R20 vs. 245/70R17). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (275/45R22 vs. 265/55R20).

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 4Runner SR5’s standard 70 series tires. The Enclave’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Buick Enclave has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the 4Runner (120.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Enclave Avenir handles at .83 G’s, while the 4Runner Trailhunter pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Enclave Avenir AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the 4Runner Trailhunter (27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the Enclave’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

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 4Runner 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 4Runner doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Enclave has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.7 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room, 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 3 inches more third row headroom and .3 inches more third row legroom than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The Enclave’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	Enclave	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	12.1 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.1 cubic feet	44.8 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	84.4 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Enclave easier. The Enclave’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the 4Runner’s liftover is 32.7 inches.

The Enclave’s cargo area is larger than the 4Runner’s in almost every dimension:

	Enclave	4Runner
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	22.3”/52.8”/86”	10”/41.5”/65”
Max Width	52.2”	56”
Min Width	48.6”	44”
Height	35”	40.1”

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 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Payload

The Enclave has a much higher standard payload capacity than the 4Runner (1636 vs. 1390 lbs.).

The Enclave has a higher maximum payload capacity than the 4Runner (1661 vs. 1550 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The Enclave uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The 4Runner 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 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 20% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

The Enclave has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the 4Runner doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Enclave’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 4Runner’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Enclave Avenir has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The 4Runner doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Buick Enclave has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the 4Runner Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum.

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 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

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 4Runner.

The Enclave has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

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 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter 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 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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