2025 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Buick Envista

The 2024 Buick Envista, while sharing its platform with the Chevy Trax, took a distinct styling path. Its sloping roofline gave it a "crossover coupe" appearance, reminiscent of more upscale models like the BMW X2, X4, and X6. Although a more traditional roofline might have enhanced rear visibility, the design was deemed acceptable. The Envista's front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with daytime running lights positioned above the actual headlights, which were integrated into vertical elements flanking the grille. This sleek design was a first for Buick, setting the Envista apart from models like the Envision and Encore GX, which received similar styling as part of mid-cycle refreshes. The interior, while similar to the Trax, offered a more streamlined look with softer materials, though some textures felt artificial. Despite this, the Envista's cabin was a step up from the Trax, aligning with its entry-level status.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, with its black-on-black colour scheme, was less appealing in a tropical climate. However, once behind the wheel with the windows down and roof panels removed, the colour became less significant. The Wrangler was available in various trims, including Sport, Willys, Sahara, and Rubicon, with the Rubicon 392 discontinued in Canada after 2024. The Wrangler's interior, though not luxurious, was functional, with grey fabric dashboard trim, metallic accents, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite its high price, the Wrangler's design, rooted in its military heritage, and its capability to traverse diverse terrains made it a popular choice, even if it lacked the sophistication of newer vehicles.

The 2024 Buick Envista was powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This setup, shared with the Trax, offered a refined driving experience, delivering power smoothly. Unlike its predecessor, the Buick Encore, the Envista did not offer an all-wheel-drive option, distinguishing it from the Encore GX. The Envista featured a torsion-beam rear suspension on base models, while models with 19-inch wheels had a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension, enhancing ride quality. The front suspension was a MacPherson strut setup, with Buick-specific bushings and damper tuning to minimize road noise. The Envista handled bumps well, though it felt unsettled on less-than-perfect roads. Despite this, it provided a quieter and more comfortable ride than the Trax, aligning with Buick's premium brand image.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine delivered 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, slightly less horsepower but more torque than the V6. The turbocharged engine was more fuel-efficient, with a rating of 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it capable of handling various terrains. However, its three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA was a concern. The Wrangler's ride was rough, with a steady stream of jiggles and jolts, and its disconnected steering feel was disconcerting at higher speeds. Despite these drawbacks, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities remained impressive.

The 2024 Buick Envista was 36 centimetres longer than the Buick Encore, with a 14.5-centimetre wheelbase stretch, resulting in increased rear-seat legroom and shoulder room. However, the coupe-like design reduced headroom, particularly for second-row passengers. The seats were comfortable, and a power moonroof was optional on Sport Touring and standard on Avenir. The Envista's car-like design provided good outward visibility, but cargo space was limited, with 586 litres available with the rear seats in place and 1,189 litres with the seats folded.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated seats and steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers risked hitting their knees on the front seatback panels. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in cupholders. Accessing the cargo area required opening the tailgate and lifting the rear window, which could be inconvenient. The four-door model offered 897 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Buick Envista came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The interface was user-friendly, with physical controls for climate and audio. However, the centre stack's tilt towards the driver made controls less accessible to the passenger. While the Envista lacked some advanced tech features, it offered a competitive amount of technology for its price range.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. The touchscreen was bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display between the analog gauges, passive entry, and remote engine start. Rear parking sensors were available in the Safety Group option pack, aiding in reversing.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. In Canada, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags for the front and rear seats as standard equipment. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was limited to the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Good for side-impact protection but Marginal for small overlap frontal-impact tests.