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286 was limited to 16bit registers, the 386 had 32bit registers and could also enable a 4GB flat memory model. It enabled a completely different architecture and programming model, just like how the first amd64 with new 64bit registers enabled a whole different architecture.

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What’s interesting about the 286/386 transition is: “Protected Mode” came about with the 286, but was still a 16 bit mode. (Random fact: the only way to return to “Real Mode” on a 286 was through a processor reset). The 386 changed Protected Mode into the 32 bit mode we know today. (And added the “Virtual 8086 Mode” for Real Mode programs)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_mode

... and the fastest way to reset the processor was via a triple fault -- arrange for the general protection fault and the double fault handlers to both fail.

Yeah, from a programmer's perspective the difference is vast. From a regular user's perspective, not so much.

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