2024 Buick Envista vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

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, a design choice previously reserved for larger, pricier models like the BMW X4 and X6. Although a more traditional roofline might have enhanced rear visibility, the Envista's design was deemed acceptable. The front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with thin daytime running lights above and real headlights positioned vertically beside 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 felt cheap. Despite this, the Envista's cabin was a step up from the Trax, aligning with its entry-level status.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, presented a rugged yet customizable design. The Defender 110 four-door was considered the sweet spot in terms of design, balancing the stubby appearance of the 90 and the visual mass of the 130. Base prices ranged significantly, with the Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and all of Land Rover's off-roading technology. The interior boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, maintaining an industrial theme with quality materials. Despite not being a traditional luxury SUV, the Defender's cabin was appreciated for its purposeful design. The Defender's exterior and interior design choices reflected its rugged capabilities and customization options, appealing to those seeking a robust and versatile vehicle.

The 2024 Buick Envista was powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet 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, differentiating it from the Encore GX. The suspension system varied by model, with the Avenir and some ST models featuring a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension for improved ride quality. The Envista handled bumps well, though it felt unsettled on less-than-perfect roads. Despite its small engine, the Envista accelerated confidently, offering a quieter and more comfortable ride than the Trax.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This engine, one of four powertrain options, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender was primarily driven on pavement during testing, where it handled well but felt heavy on twisty roads. The Defender's six-cylinder engine provided ample power, though it occasionally surged unexpectedly in city driving. The adaptive air suspension offered a smooth ride, absorbing road imperfections with ease.

The 2024 Buick Envista, with its coupe-like design, was 14.2 inches longer than the Buick Encore, with a 5.7-inch wheelbase stretch. This resulted in increased rear-seat legroom and shoulder room, though headroom decreased slightly due to the roofline. The seats were comfortable, and the car-like design offered good visibility and maneuverability. However, cargo space was limited, with 20.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 42 cubic feet with the seats folded, less than the Trax and other entry-level crossovers.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The tall seating position provided excellent forward visibility, though the rear view was limited. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open feel, while storage space was plentiful in the front. The second-row captain's chairs added comfort, and the third-row seat was roomy and supportive. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, with a high load floor. Cargo space was limited to 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 89 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2024 Buick Envista came equipped 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 user interface was similar to the Trax, with easy-to-use controls, though the center stack's tilt made it less accessible for passengers. Optional tech features were limited, with no head-up display available.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and connected services. The system's response and accuracy had improved, offering an intuitive user experience. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of use. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2024 Buick Envista's safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features were adaptive cruise control, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a range of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The system operated smoothly, though it occasionally struggled in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings were not available, as low-volume models like the Defender are typically not tested by NHTSA or IIHS.