2024 Buick Envista vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

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 previously reserved for larger, pricier vehicles like the BMW X2, X4, and X6. Although a more traditional roofline might have enhanced rear visibility, the Envista's design was deemed acceptable. The coupe-like silhouette was paired with a new front-end styling inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featuring a split lighting design with thin daytime running lights above and real headlights in 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 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted for 2024, was not a mere replica of other Mercedes SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with the GLS, GLC, and GLB but boasted a more rounded profile reminiscent of its predecessors. The GLE's styling, while not the most handsome in the Mercedes lineup, adhered closely to the brand's design language, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz. The interior offered a variety of colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan, with features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-colour ambient lighting, creating an upscale and special atmosphere.

The 2024 Buick Envista featured a single powertrain option, 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, delivered power smoothly, akin to a larger engine with more gears. Unlike its predecessor, the Buick Encore, the Envista did not offer all-wheel drive, differentiating it from the Encore GX. The Envista's suspension included a torsion-beam rear setup for base models, while models with 19-inch wheels received a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension for improved ride quality. The front suspension was a MacPherson strut setup with Buick-specific bushings and damper tuning, ensuring a quieter ride.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered five powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, plus 80 km of electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models offered 429 hp and 603 hp, respectively, with impressive acceleration times. Despite its power, the GLE felt larger than it was, making it less nimble in tight spaces.

The 2024 Buick Envista was 36 centimetres longer than the outgoing Buick Encore, with a 14.5-centimetre wheelbase stretch. This resulted in increased rear-seat legroom by 7.6 cm and greater shoulder room in both rows. However, the coupe-like design reduced headroom slightly, especially for second-row passengers. The seats were comfortable for the price point, 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 behind the rear seats and 1,189 litres with them folded.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE offered competitive headroom and slightly more second-row legroom than rivals like the BMW X5 and Lexus RX. Cargo space was 894 litres behind the second-row seats, expanding to 1,790 litres with all seats folded. The GLE's centre console provided reasonable small-item storage, and its maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms ensured it could handle substantial loads.

The 2024 Buick Envista came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The interface was user-friendly, with retained buttons and knobs for climate control and audio volume. However, the centre stack's tilt towards the driver made controls a bit of a reach for passengers. While the Envista lacked some advanced tech features, it offered an impressive amount of standard equipment for its price range.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, creating a seamless display. The MBUX system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad and voice recognition. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car offered additional settings, including six drive modes and various performance adjustments. Some models also had off-road displays and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing its versatility.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard driver-assist 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 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were optional. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech had mixed ratings.