The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Enclave doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Enclave doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Pre-Collision System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Enclave offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature which would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

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 seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Buick Enclave:

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Buick Enclave:

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

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Enclave has not been fully tested, yet, but doesn't qualify for 2015 or 2016 “Top Pick Plus.”

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 17% better than the Enclave.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked 11th.

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

The Highlander stops much shorter than the Enclave:

The Highlander has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Highlander flat and controlled during cornering. The Enclave's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Highlander XLE AWD handles at .81 G's, while the Enclave AWD pulls only .76 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Highlander XLE AWD executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Enclave AWD (27.8 seconds @ .62 average G's vs. 28.7 seconds @ .56 average G's).

For better maneuverability, the Highlander's turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Enclave's (38.7 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8 vs. 7.6 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 400 to 600 pounds less than the Buick Enclave.

The Highlander is 10.8 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Highlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Highlander has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Enclave uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Highlander has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Enclave.

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.

The Highlander's optional 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.

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Enclave is limited to 4500 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander's standard front power windows 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 the car. The Enclave's front passenger window doesn't close automatically. The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches.

The Smart Key System standard on the Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum allows you to unlock the driver's door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Buick Enclave doesn't offer an advanced key system.

The Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Enclave doesn't offer a locking fuel door.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Highlander has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Enclave only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn't as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander's headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Enclave's headlights, which were rated “Good.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Highlander Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Enclave doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

Both the Highlander and the Enclave offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren't available in the Enclave.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Highlander's passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation, which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Enclave doesn't offer a filtration system.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Highlander Limited offers an optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Enclave doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Highlander will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the Enclave.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $10956 to $13111 less than for the Buick Enclave.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Enclave was rated third.