Compare the2026 Toyota 4Runner VS 2027 Buick Enclave

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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.

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota 4Runner is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Buick Enclave, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	4Runner	Enclave
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-20 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-17 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-16 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-16 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.9 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-16 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.3 sec	1.4 sec

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 4Runner TRD Off-Road/Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Enclave doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the 4Runner and the Enclave 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota 4Runner is safer than the Enclave:

	4Runner	Enclave
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	30	55
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.43 in	.47 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	51	260
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.67 in	.83 in
Torso Max Deflection	.94 in	1.06 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	424 lbs.	602 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The 4Runner’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Enclave’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner 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 65 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 4Runner has a standard 776-amp battery. The Enclave’s 730-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 62 points higher than the Enclave.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 8th.

The 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 139 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 326) than the Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 139 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 326) than the Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Buick Enclave:

	4Runner	Enclave
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.3 MPH	90.7 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Enclave:

			MPG
4Runner
	RWD	SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
Enclave
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/25 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Enclave doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 4Runner has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Enclave. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

	4Runner	Enclave
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.4 inches

The 4Runner stops much shorter than the Enclave:

	4Runner	Enclave
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Enclave; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner offers an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Enclave doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 2.8 inches higher than on the Enclave Avenir (10.1 vs. 7.3 inches).

The 4Runner is 1 foot shorter than the Enclave, making the 4Runner easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 4Runner’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

The 4Runner has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Enclave doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 4Runner. The Enclave doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Enclave’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (6000 vs. 5000 pounds).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Enclave. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner’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 4Runner the driver can close all of them 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.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota 4Runner retains 69.9% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 41.48% resale value of the 2026 Buick Enclave after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $14120 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota 4Runner, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Buick Enclave isn't recommended.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Buick Enclave by over two to one during 2025.