Enclave vs Grand Highlander
Shopping across brands means comparing different philosophies. The Enclave and the Grand Highlander show how Buick and Toyota each approach the three-row suv class. The scorecard favors the Enclave, which leads in 1 of 3 areas. Its strongest showing is in the engine & performance category.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Enclave wins
- Space & Practicality Trade-off
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.6
- Space & Practicality6.0
- Off-road & Towing5.3
- Engine & Performance5.1
- Space & Practicality8.0
- Off-road & Towing5.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Enclave has 63 hp more power
The Enclave clearly leads on total system output, and 328 hp versus 265 hp is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The Enclave has 12% more cargo space
The Enclave is slightly stronger on cargo (behind rear seats). The gap, 23 cu ft versus 20.6 cu ft, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. The Enclave’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
-
The Grand Highlander has room for 8 seats
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the Grand Highlander: 8 seats against 7 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
-
The Enclave has 16 lb-ft more torque
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Enclave’s 326 lb-ft beats the Grand Highlander’s 310 lb-ft. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 201.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 116.1 in |
Engine & Performance
Enclave leads
Look at the engine & performance table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Enclave. The Enclave wins here with 63 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Weighing only engine & performance, the Enclave comes out ahead.
Total system output
Enclave: 328 hp Grand Highlander: 265 hp The Enclave’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Enclave: 326 lb-ft Grand Highlander: 310 lb-ft The Enclave’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Space & Practicality
Trade-off
It depends what you value in space & practicality: the Enclave brings 12% more cargo space, the Grand Highlander brings room for 8 seats. So on space & practicality, match the strength to your needs and you’ll choose well.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Enclave: 23 cu ft Grand Highlander: 20.6 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Seats
Enclave: 7 seats Grand Highlander: 8 seats The Grand Highlander has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t off-road & towing. On off-road & towing alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Safety & Tech
On safety & tech, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo I4 | 2.4L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 328 hp (winner) | 265 hp |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft (winner) | 310 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 23 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 20 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23 cu ft (winner) | 20.6 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | N/A (not specified) | 97.5 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Driver-assist suite | Buick Driver Confidence | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 201.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 116.1 in |
Price
| Spec | Enclave | Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $45,100 Priciest in class | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Enclave if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (328 hp vs 265 hp)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (23 cu ft vs 20.6 cu ft)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (326 lb-ft vs 310 lb-ft of torque)
Choose the Grand Highlander if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you’re loyal to Toyota and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Enclave or the Grand Highlander?
We’d point most buyers to the Enclave. The main exception is if you need room for 8 seats, which only the Grand Highlander offers.
Executive Summary
If it were just about the brand, you wouldn’t be here. So let’s talk about the Enclave and the Grand Highlander on their merits. What I like most about the Enclave here is 63 hp more power. I also like that the Enclave brings 12% more cargo space. The Grand Highlander has a trump card of its own in room for 8 seats.
If engine & performance is your thing, the Enclave fits. If passenger space matters more, the Grand Highlander makes more sense.
My pick: the Enclave gets my vote, but the Grand Highlander is the right call if you specifically want room for 8 seats, where the Grand Highlander has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.