2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, showcased classic design proportions. Its blunt nose, short front overhang, and appealing dash-to-axle ratio contributed to its sports wagon-like appearance, though the 2025 styling updates were seen as less elegant. The interior, accessed through doors with electronic releases, exuded a classic architectural sensibility, favouring a traditional approach over screen-heavy designs. However, the remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its cheap plastic construction. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with the test vehicle in Reserve trim featuring options like the Jet Appearance and Dynamic Handling packages, priced at $96,295.

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and sharp design, reminiscent of the Envista, with slim DRLs, a large grille, and a high beltline. While its side profile was more generic, the Enclave appeared less befuddled than its predecessor. Standard 20-inch wheels adorned the base Preferred trim, while the Sport Touring and Avenir trims featured unique wheel finishes. Inside, the Enclave offered a modern and premium feel with a floating centre console and a large curved display. The Sport Touring test car featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's appeal. A panoramic power sunroof was optional on lower trims but standard on the Avenir.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, including Excite and Normal, with the optional adaptive air suspension firming up in Excite mode. Despite its power, the Aviator was not particularly exciting to drive, focusing instead on comfort and composure. The fuel economy was rated at 11.9 L/100 km combined, though the test vehicle observed 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator offered clear sightlines and a 360-degree camera view for urban driving, but the ride quality suffered on rough roads due to the heavy 22-inch wheels and thin tires.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 12.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The Enclave's Active Noise Cancellation effectively reduced road and engine noise, though the engine was loud and revved more than expected. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at slower speeds, but this was not a significant concern for its target audience.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered luxurious comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, featuring 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. However, the third-row seats were less accommodating for adults. The Aviator provided excellent storage space, including a smartphone charging pad, cupholders, and a sizeable bin. Cargo space was generous, with 466 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,131 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,149 litres.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Second-row captain's chairs allowed for a seven-person capacity, with heated front seats standard. The Avenir trim added heated second-row seats and ventilation for the front row. Tri-zone climate control was standard, and the second-row seats could be folded and slid with a one-touch power feature. The Enclave offered 648 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,617 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,761 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. It included Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts, though wireless Apple CarPlay worked well. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system was impressive, and the head-up display provided valuable information.

The 2025 Buick Enclave boasted a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system available on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered wired charging with two USB ports in each row.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems like active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering a four-year subscription. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.

The 2025 Buick Enclave included advanced safety features like blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. HD Surround Vision with selectable camera views was standard, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving technology, was available on all trims. The 2024 Enclave received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and performed well in most IIHS tests.