2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Buick Enclave

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern aesthetic, reminiscent of a larger version of the Envista. Its sharp design elements, such as slim DRLs and a large angular grille, contributed to its striking appearance. While the side profile appeared somewhat generic, the overall look was more assertive than its predecessor. The Enclave featured fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches, enhancing its contemporary appeal. Standard 20-inch wheels on the base Preferred trim and Sport Touring, with unique High Gloss Black touches on the latter, added to its stylish presence. The top-tier Avenir trim boasted 22-inch wheels with a special "Avenir Pearl Nickel" finish. Inside, the Enclave exuded a modern and premium feel, with a floating centre console and a large curved display reminiscent of futuristic EVs. The Sport Touring trim's perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping elevated the interior's ambiance, while a panoramic power sunroof was available as an option on lower trims and standard on the Avenir.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, featured an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers, adding a touch of uniqueness to its otherwise unremarkable design. The RX's large front grille and dramatic rear haunches were notable, but the overall appearance remained somewhat lacklustre. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering varying levels of power and efficiency. The RX 350h was the most efficient, while the RX 500h delivered the most power. All models came with standard AWD in Canada, and the RX 500h featured sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and performance brakes. Inside, the RX Hybrid offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting. However, the ergonomics of the controls were mixed, with some being intuitive and others less so. The RX avoided the single curved display trend, opting for a more traditional layout.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Enclave's fuel efficiency was rated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The Enclave featured Active Noise Cancellation, effectively reducing road and engine noise. Despite its classification as a mid-size crossover, the Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with noticeable bulk and loose steering at slower speeds. This characteristic was not a significant drawback for its target audience, as driving dynamics were not a top priority for most shoppers in this class.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains. The RX 350h, with 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque, prioritized efficiency. The RX 450h+ PHEV delivered 304 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, produced 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet 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 Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. While the RX 500h offered impressive power and acceleration, its fuel efficiency was lower than expected, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h's drivetrain was responsive but occasionally hesitated in city driving. The adaptive damping suspension provided a firm ride, and the RX 500h excelled on twisty roads, though it lacked communication between the road and the driver.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered a spacious interior with eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger's seat. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a seven-person maximum capacity. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with the Avenir trim adding heated second-row seats and front-row ventilation. Tri-zone climate control was standard, and the middle row had its own temperature controls. The Enclave featured a one-touch power feature for folding and sliding the second-row seats, available on all trims. The power-folding third-row seats formed a 60/40 split bench, with manual folding on lower trims. The AutoSense liftgate provided convenient access to the cargo area, offering 648 litres of space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,617 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were heated and ventilated, though the bottom cushions lacked long-term comfort. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which featured optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated seats. The RX provided ample rear-seat space for adults. Interior storage was practical, with an illuminated shelf under the air vents. However, the rear centre armrest storage compartment lacked lining, potentially causing noise. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expandable to 1,308 litres with the second row folded. While the cargo area included hooks and a small storage space under the load floor, the cargo cover could be cumbersome when loading larger items.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased its premium positioning through its technology offerings. A large 30-inch curved display integrated the infotainment system and digital gauge cluster, though smartphone projection interrupted its seamless appearance. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with the Avenir trim featuring a 16-speaker Bose Performance system. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In for native apps. The Enclave also offered Wi-Fi hotspot capability and multiple USB ports for wired charging.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury expectations with its high-tech features. The RX 500h F Sport Black Line included digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a cloud-based navigation system. The RX 500h also offered a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the unlabeled steering wheel controls were distracting and potentially dangerous. The Lexus Interface technology worked well, though occasional glitches affected song title and album art display.

The 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized safety with advanced driver-assistance tech. Standard features included blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with selectable camera views and adaptive cruise control were also standard. The Enclave introduced Super Cruise, GM's hands-free highway driving technology, available on all trims for an additional cost. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received favourable ratings in most tests.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS rated it poorly in the updated moderate overlap frontal-impact test.