2026 Buick Enclave vs 2026 Toyota Highlander: Comparing what matters to you

Shopping for a three-row SUV in Ontario usually comes down to a short list, and the 2026 Buick Enclave and 2026 Toyota Highlander both belong on it. Each seats up to seven and wears a similar body style, but the way they deliver power, cargo room, and cabin comfort sets them apart.

This comparison lines up the two SUVs on the specs that matter for real family use: engine output, cargo space, seating, and the equipment you get without climbing the trim ladder. The Enclave pulls ahead on several of them, and we’ll show you exactly how.

2026 Buick Enclave vs Toyota Highlander: Side-by-Side Specs

Spec	2026 Buick Enclave	2026 Toyota Highlander
Horsepower	328 hp	265 hp (2.4L Turbo, XLE AWD)
Torque	326 lb-ft	309 lb-ft (2.4L Turbo, XLE AWD)
Cargo volume, regular configuration	648 L	453 L
Max cargo volume (behind front seats)	2,761 L	2,387 L
Max towing	5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)	5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) (2.4L Turbo) / 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) (Hybrid)
Fuel economy, city/highway (L/100 km)	12.1 / 9.9	11 / 8.4 (2.4L Turbo, Limited AWD)
Ground clearance	172 to 185 mm, depending on trim	203 mm
Seating capacity	7	7 (Limited AWD) / 8 (XLE AWD)
Drivetrain	Standard AWD, all trims	AWD, all trims

Power, Towing and All-Wheel Drive

Every 2026 Enclave uses the same 2.5 L turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 328 hp and 326 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic. That output holds across Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir, so the trim you pick doesn’t change how the SUV drives.

The Highlander’s 2.4 L Turbo four-cylinder makes 265 hp and 309 lb-ft on the XLE AWD trim, paired with its own 8-speed automatic. Choose the Highlander Hybrid instead, and output drops to 243 hp through an eCVT, trading power for better fuel economy.

Towing tells a similar story. The 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) Enclave rating comes standard with its Trailering Package hardware regardless of trim. The gas Highlander matches that number, but the Hybrid Highlander is rated for 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg), a real cut for anyone planning to tow a trailer or small boat. All-wheel drive is standard across both lineups, so traction in Ontario’s mixed conditions isn’t the deciding factor here.

Cabin Space and Family-Ready Cargo

Front-row space in the Enclave measures 1,082 mm of headroom, 1,125 mm of legroom, and 1,579 mm of shoulder room on Preferred and Sport Touring trims. The third row still offers 816 mm of legroom, enough for kids or smaller adults on a longer drive.

Cargo is the area the Enclave’s larger footprint shows up most. In its regular configuration, it holds 648 L, compared to 453 L in the Highlander. Fold the rear rows down and the Enclave opens up to 2,761 L behind the front seats, versus 2,387 L in the Highlander.

That extra room adds up fast on a real family trip:

• A full set of hockey gear plus a stroller behind the third row, without stacking bags on laps
• Suitcases for a multi-day road trip with the third row still occupied
• Room for a stroller and a weekend’s worth of groceries with all seats up

Comfort, Technology and Everyday Livability

Every Enclave trim includes Active Noise Cancellation for both driveline and engine noise, plus QuietTuning sound insulation, to help keep highway runs quieter. Preferred and Sport Touring ride on a performance suspension; Avenir swaps in Premium Ride suspension with Continuous Damping Control for a more controlled feel over rough pavement.

Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel come standard on every Enclave trim, along with a heated wiper park at Avenir. The Highlander’s heated seats and heated steering wheel show up starting at its Limited trim, so reaching that same cold-weather equipment means moving further up its lineup.

Inside, the Enclave’s 30-inch display runs standard with Google built-in compatibility, wireless Apple CarPlay, and 5G connectivity across every trim, backed by a Bose premium audio system on Preferred and Sport Touring and a Bose performance system on Avenir. Driver assistance features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and HD Surround Vision are standard across the entire Enclave lineup, not held back for a top trim.

Moving Up the Enclave Lineup vs the Highlander’s Broader Range

The Enclave keeps its ladder simple: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir. Preferred already includes the 30-inch display, Bose premium audio, heated seats, and the full Technology Package. Sport Touring adds 20-inch wheels and gloss-black exterior trim, while Avenir brings 22-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, massage front seats, quilted leather-appointed trim, and the Power Package.

The Highlander spans a wider range: XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum on gas, plus Hybrid versions of XLE, Limited, and Platinum. That’s a longer ladder to climb, and buyers have to weigh a powertrain choice on top of a trim choice before reaching comparable content.

Why the Enclave Fits Ontario Drivers

Add it up, and the Enclave’s case is straightforward: more horsepower and torque from the base trim up, more cargo room in regular or folded configuration, and cold-weather comfort features that don’t require a trip to the top of the lineup. Families hauling hockey bags, strollers, and luggage get the room to do it without compromise.

The Highlander earns real credit for its city and highway fuel economy, especially in Hybrid form. But for Ontario families who want more room, more power, and equipment that’s standard from the first trim, the 2026 Buick Enclave is the stronger everyday choice.

Book a Test Drive of the 2026 Buick Enclave in Windsor

The 2026 Buick Enclave pairs a 328-hp turbocharged engine with standard all-wheel drive and more cargo room than the Highlander, all inside a three-row cabin built for seven.

Visit Premier Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC in Windsor to sit in the Enclave and ask about second-row comfort, third-row space, and cargo flexibility for your family’s routine.