2019 Buick Envision vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2019 Buick Envision was considered one of the most attractive vehicles in Buick's SUV lineup. It had a more athletic and taut vibe compared to the subcompact Buick Encore and the full-size Buick Enclave. The strong body lines along the sides and the upright rear section of the side windows gave it proportions similar to a BMW X1. Inside, the Envision's cabin looked clean and straightforward, but closer inspection revealed that it fell short of the luxury billing Buick aimed for. The matte-finish materials used for some controls and the bezel around the radio and navigation system looked cheap, especially when combined with chrome and light-colored leather. The multifunction steering wheel also felt coarse to the touch.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus GX, despite being long in the tooth, received some design tweaks, including the hourglass grille that had become a signature of the Lexus lineup. The GX wore this grille better than the larger LX. Despite the new front end and headlights, the GX's decade-old design was still evident. However, its rugged capability, shared with the Toyota 4Runner, outweighed the need for innovation. The GX's cabin also showed its age with a large, chunky center console and big buttons, a hallmark of early 2010s Lexus styling. While this interior might not suit a new Lexus RX, it worked for the GX's rough-and-tumble nature.

The 2019 Buick Envision offered two engine options. The FWD, Preferred, and Essence trims came with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 197 horsepower, paired with an outdated 6-speed automatic transmission. This setup felt underpowered and sluggish in many driving situations. The Premium and Premium II trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, making 252 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered power well and provided solid acceleration, with AWD standard on these trims. The Envision's steering was responsive and tight, though the vehicle could feel top-heavy in corners. It excelled in town driving, offering a smooth and quiet ride. Fuel economy for the 2.5-liter FWD was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined, while the turbo AWD model achieved 20/25/22 mpg.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to standard 4WD. While modern V6 and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines could exceed these figures, the V8 offered an unmistakable swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's steering, though initially feeling over-boosted, was direct and responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth yet composed ride, capable of handling potholes and bumps while maintaining control in corners. The GX's 4WD system made it a beast off-road, with various 4WD modes and suspension adjustments available. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, fuel economy was not impressive, with the GX 460 returning 15 mpg city, 19 highway, 16 combined.

The 2019 Buick Envision offered plenty of room in the driver's seat, providing a commanding position and good visibility. The second row also had ample head- and legroom, with seats that could recline to a couple of positions. With the rear seats up, the Envision provided 27 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 57 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was on par with the Acura RDX, a class leader. The Envision also featured helpful cargo tie-downs, deep pockets in all four doors, and a cargo tray above the glove box, making good use of its space.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The captain's chairs provided a small access way to the third row and a natural barrier between kids. However, getting into the third row could be a chore for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery. The GX featured a side-opening rear hatch, which was unique but not particularly advantageous. However, the separately opening rear window/hatch was a terrific feature, allowing access to the rear cargo area without opening the massive side-opening hatch.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with GM's Intellilink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with a straightforward layout. The system included hard buttons and dials below the screen, with a dock of icons for music, connectivity, and navigation. It also came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing seamless connectivity. Our test vehicle included wireless charging, though the charging pad was a weird little "pocket" rather than a flat pad. Below the touchscreen, touch-capacitive controls for the climate and heated/cooled front seats were less useful, responding only half the time.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment setup clearly showed its age, featuring the last generation of Lexus Enform. However, it was a true touchscreen, flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, making it simpler than modern Lexus systems. The downside was the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a tough tradeoff for some drivers. Despite this, the simplicity of the system might appeal to those who prefer a straightforward interface.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with ten airbags, including side-curtain and knee airbags, and a reversing camera with Rear Park Assist. The Premium and Premium II trims included GM's Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated to alert the driver to potential hazards. Essence and Premium trims came standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Premium trim also included lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision alert. The Driver Confidence Package, available on the Premium II trim, added adaptive cruise control, automatic front braking, and a 360-degree camera. However, many of these features required additional payment, unlike some competitors.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also included blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's great visibility, with massive windows and mirrors, added to its safety, providing an unimpeded field of vision.