Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Not that long ago, three-row SUVs were mostly body-on-frame versions of trucks, but now the industry is packed with excellent car-like unibody models that spend most of their time on suburban roads hauling kids, groceries, and gear. There are also a number of premium, quiet near-luxury three-row family SUVs that have become status symbols and not simply spacious barges to get from point A to point B.Few fit the understated luxury category better than the 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD and the 2026 Lexus TX 350 Premium AWD. Both are priced similarly (the $63k mark) and are aimed at buyers who want space, serenity, and upscale features without the flashier attitude (and price) of some European rivals. They also chase the same kind of customer but do so in their brand's own particular flavor. The Enclave Avenir boasts elegant American luxury, while the TX 350 Premium AWD exudes a more modern aesthetic.Exterior & Interior Styling2026 Buick Enclave AvenirBuickThe Enclave Avenir AWD is the top trim for the model. Its refined front fascia displays a unique silver mesh grille, and the slim DRLs sit atop subtle headlight stacks. The Enclave Avenir's body is rounded and contoured, eschewing boxiness and sharp lines. The big 22-inch alloy wheels come with an upscale pearl nickel finish, and Buick also gives the Avenir exterior standard features like heated/auto-dimming/power-folding outside mirrors, an automatic smart power liftgate, and LED cornering lamps.2026 Buick Enclave AvenirFor the Avenir AWD trim, Buick provides a warm, richly appointed cabin with available Ebony or Cool Gray/Blue themes, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and massaging front seats that help it feel like a luxurious lounge rather than the cabin of an SUV. Even the seats have a refined texture and pattern to help set the Enclave Avenir apart in the trim line and the segment. Standard leatherette looks like the real thing, but you can also upgrade to real leather. Other standard features include heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, dynamic ambient lighting, and a heated and power tilt/telescoping steering wheel.2026 Lexus TX 350 Premium LexusAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Lexus TX 350 Premium AWD takes a more restrained, architectural approach when it comes to its looks. Its styling is cleaner and more technical. It's more angular than the Enclave Avenir, and the brand's new spindle grille interpretation is bold and integrated into the front fascia. The D-pillar incorporates a floating roof, and thin rear LED taillights round out the understated look. The Premium trim provides exterior details like Bi-LED headlights, 20" alloy wheels with machined finish, power-folding/heated/auto tilt-down in reverse/driver's auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a power liftgate with kick sensor, and a panoramic glass roof.2026 Lexus TX 350 PremiumThe cabin is more purposeful and practical than the Enclave Avenir's, but it's an incredibly well-made interior with tasteful materials, an ergonimically excellent layout, and the kind of build quality Lexus buyers tend to value more than visual drama. At least you can choose between three colorways: black/black, black/tan, and black/brown. The lighter colorways help dress up the cabin and give a more upscale appearance. The lines are clean, the dashboard is layered, and storage is ample and cleanly styled.Space and Comfort2026 Buick Enclave AvenirThree-row SUVs live or die by usability, and these two deliver the kind of passenger space families love. The Enclave Avenir seats up to seven and makes access easy with one-touch flat-folding and sliding second-row seats, plus a 60/40 power-folding third row. Buick also stuffs massage functionality into the two front seats, a feature not available on any TX trim. The second row eclipses the TX 350's, but the 3rd row is almost 1.5 inches less in the leg area. The overall look and feel is elegant rather than edgy, and that's what sets the Enclave Avenir apart from many of its competitors, including the Lexus TX 350.2nd Row Legroom: 41.4"3rd Row Legroom: 32.1"Cargo Space: 97.5 cubic feet (maximum)2026 Lexus TX 350 PremiumThe Lexus TX 350 Premium AWD also offers seating for seven, and it has real usable room for adults in all three rows, with the added convenience of power-folding third-row seats. The seating material is NuLuxe leatherette that's remarkably soft and comfortable. It's even hard to tell it apart from real leather. Unlike the Enclave Avenir, you can't upgrade to real leather in the TX 350 Premium AWD. You have to level up to the Luxury trim to get it. Other standard interior features include heated/ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient illumination, heated and power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, heated leather shift knob, rear manual sunshades, and 50/50-split power-reclining third-row seatsAdvertisementAdvertisement2nd Row Legroom: 39.5"3rd Row Legroom: 33.5"Cargo Space: 97 cubic feet (maximum)Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Infotainment & Technology2026 Buick Enclave AvenirBuick makes the bigger visual statement inside, and the overall tech set is very strong. The Enclave Avenir comes standard with an ultrawide 30-inch diagonal premium display that incorporates instrumentation and infotainment. It's a more dramatic display than the separate units found in the TX 350. There's also Google built-in compatibility, HD Surround Vision, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a Bose 16-speaker performance audio system. It also offers available Super Cruise, which gives the Buick a strong argument for buyers who want hands-free highway capability in a family-focused luxury SUV.2026 Lexus TX 350 PremiumThe Lexus TX 350 Premium AWD provides a more conventional but still upscale tech presentation. Premium-trim TX models include a large 14.0" infotainment interface paired with a separate 12.3" unit for instrumentation, Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charging deck, and a surround view monitor. Lexus's advantage is not visual drama so much as clean execution; the tech feels less dominant in the cabin than the version found in the Enclave Avenir. It really depends on your preference. The Lexus system is responsive, crisp, and nicely incorporates physical climate and audio controls.Power and On-Road Refinement2026 Buick Enclave AvenirUnder the hood, the 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Output stands at 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, making the Enclave the more muscular vehicle by 53 horsepower and 9 lb-ft. 0-60 for the AWD trim happens in 6.4 seconds, pretty quick for big three-row SUV. Buick includes Driver Mode Control with Tow/Haul mode for buyers who want a bit more versatility. Also, the Enclave Avenir AWD can tow 5,000 pounds with the addition of the optional Trailering Package. Adaptive suspension is standard on this trim level, so the ride adjusts to provide optimal comfort depending on the road surface.2026 Lexus TX 350 PremiumAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Lexus TX 350 Premium AWD uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four paired with an eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Output is 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, which leaves it well behind the Buick on paper but still competitive for a three-row luxury crossover. 0-60 happens in 7.1 seconds, slower than the Enclave Avenir AWD but still decent for the segment. The TX 350 Premium AWD can also tow up to 5,000 pounds with the addition of the tow hitch accessory, so it gives up less practical capability than the raw horsepower numbers might suggest. Adaptive suspension is only available on the F Sport AWD trim level, but the TX 350 Premium AWD still exhibits a comfortable and compliant ride, albeit firmer than the Enclave Avenir's.Final ThoughtsThese two models bring a lot to the near-luxury three-row family SUV battle, and each one is extremely well-appointed, attractive, and comfortable. The way they deliver the goods is different. For those who want reliability, practicality, and a straightforward user experience, the TX 350 Premium AWD is the right choice. When it comes to a classier, more opulent, and tech-forward experience, the Enclave Avenir AWD takes the cake.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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