Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Buick Envista

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured a bold design with exaggerated forms, including scowling headlights and flared rear fenders. The interior was equally oversized, with a large 12.3-inch touchscreen and big climate control knobs. However, the cabin's mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, made it visually overwhelming. The quality of materials was questionable, with controls feeling inexpensive and storage areas unlined, leading to potential noise during drives.

In contrast, the 2024 Buick Envista, based on the Chevy Trax platform, adopted a sleek "crossover coupe" design with a sloping roofline. Its front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with daytime running lights and vertical headlights. The Envista's interior was a step up from the Trax, with a smoother, more streamlined look and softer materials. However, the grained texture felt cheap. The cabin offered a more premium feel, with a flat-bottom steering wheel and an eight-way power driver's seat standard in Canada.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. It featured standard AWD and could operate solely on electricity at low speeds. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power, and towing capacity was questionable. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its soft suspension and CVT made for a dull driving experience. Fuel economy was a focus, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system, but real-world consumption was higher than expected.

The 2024 Buick Envista featured a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and FWD. Unlike its predecessor, the Envista did not offer AWD. The suspension setup included a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension for models with 19-inch wheels, improving ride quality. The Envista handled bumps well but felt nervous on imperfect pavement. It accelerated with urgency and offered a quieter, more comfortable ride than the Trax, aligning with Buick's brand image.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, with most models featuring second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was best for occasional use, and entering it was challenging. The interior offered three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in the Platinum package. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row and up to 2,387 litres with seats folded. However, storage areas were unlined, and the centre armrest storage design was complex.

The 2024 Buick Envista, 36 cm longer than the Encore, offered increased rear-seat legroom and shoulder room. However, headroom decreased due to the coupe-like design. The seats were comfortable, and a power moonroof was available. The Envista's cargo space was less than the Trax, with 586 litres behind the rear seats and 1,189 litres with seats folded. The car-like design provided good visibility and maneuverability, but cargo space was limited compared to other crossovers.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Drive Connect service plan offered an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though graphics could be improved for better visibility.

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, with retained buttons and knobs for climate control and audio volume. However, the centre stack's tilt made controls a reach for passengers. The Envista lacked optional tech features like a head-up display, but the standard equipment was impressive for its price range.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional parking sensors and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

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, and lane-keep assist. In Canada, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear park assist were also standard, aligning with typical offerings for its price range.