2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Buick Envista

The 2024 Buick Envista, while sharing its platform with the Chevy Trax, took a distinct styling path with its sloping roofline, giving it a "crossover coupe" appearance reminiscent of more upscale models like the BMW X2, X4, and X6. This design choice, while potentially compromising rear visibility, was deemed acceptable. The 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 its siblings, the Envision and Encore GX, which adopted similar styling as part of their mid-cycle refreshes. The interior, while similar to the Trax, offered a more streamlined look with softer materials, though some textures felt cheap. The cabin was a step up from the Trax but remained within the expectations for an entry-level vehicle.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV that, despite its price, was considered unremarkable in appearance. The model featured exclusive Incognito paint and orange brake calipers, but its design was not particularly striking. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different powertrains and efficiency levels. The RX 500h stood out with its turbocharged engine and sport-tuned features, but its design was heavily dependent on the chosen version and colour/wheel combination. Inside, the RX offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, though some ergonomic controls were less intuitive. The RX avoided the common single curved display approach, maintaining a unique interior aesthetic.

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, differentiating it from the Encore GX. The suspension setup included a torsion-beam rear suspension for base models, while models with 19-inch wheels featured a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension, enhancing ride quality. The Envista handled bumps well and offered a quieter, more laid-back driving experience compared to the Trax, aligning with Buick's brand image.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance levels. The RX 350h, the least powerful, delivered 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, focusing on efficiency. The RX 450h+ PHEV provided 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds, while the RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and a sophisticated Direct4 AWD system. Despite its power, the RX 500h was not very fuel-efficient, averaging 13.5 L/100 km in testing. The drivetrain occasionally hesitated, and while the RX 500h was capable on twisty roads, it lacked communication between the road and driver, making it more about sporty appearance than dynamic capability.

The 2024 Buick Envista, with its coupe-like design, was 36 centimetres longer than the Buick Encore, offering a 14.5-centimetre wheelbase stretch. This resulted in increased rear-seat legroom by 7.6 cm and greater shoulder room, though headroom decreased slightly due to the roofline. The seats were comfortable, and a power moonroof was optional on higher trims. The Envista's design provided good outward visibility, but cargo space was limited, with 586 litres available with rear seats up and 1,189 litres with seats folded, less than the Trax.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats, while heated and ventilated, were snug and uncomfortable on long drives. The rear seats, however, were spacious and comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding the second row increased cargo volume to 1,308 litres, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

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, retaining physical controls for climate and audio. However, the centre stack's tilt towards the driver made controls less accessible for passengers. The Envista lacked advanced tech features like a head-up display, but its infotainment system was impressive for its price range.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with high-tech features, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The RX 500h featured a 14-inch touchscreen with a modern Lexus Interface infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and cloud-based navigation. The system worked well, though there were occasional glitches. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality, but steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use.

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, typical for its price range.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered Safety Connect, providing automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX also featured Proactive Driving Assist and a surround-view camera. In NHTSA crash tests, the RX earned a five-star rating, but the IIHS rated it Poor in a frontal-impact test.