2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, available in China and North America, positioned itself between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave in Buick’s lineup. The 2021 Envision was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting a more planted appearance on the street. Its premium crossover styling was more sculpted than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in 2021, featuring upgraded exterior elements and a unique interior trim pattern.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained the same basic body shell from a decade ago, with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights added over the years. The 2021 model didn’t receive any new styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX’s styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior didn’t meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a redeeming feature, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter base engine. This engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite a reduction in power from the previous model, the Envision’s weight loss of 200 to 300 pounds helped improve fuel efficiency. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while the AWD version managed 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. However, the engine and road noise during acceleration and deceleration detracted from the premium feel, and the driving experience was more comfortable than sporty.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept things simple with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX’s 5,130-pound weight was evident at higher speeds, making merging and overtaking maneuvers challenging. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added even more off-road features, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle.

Despite a longer wheelbase, the 2021 Buick Envision had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row compared to its predecessor. Rear-seat passengers also experienced reduced legroom and hip room. The Envision’s cargo capacity was 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was lower than other luxury SUVs. The driver-centric cockpit design limited the front passenger’s access to climate controls and the infotainment screen. However, the Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel, providing a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. However, the dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small, but the array of buttons and knobs for various controls was user-friendly. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2021 Buick Envision’s tech features were not revolutionary but included a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities clearly. The driver could easily scroll through channels using the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, surround-view camera, HUD, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a user-friendly interface. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available, but the overall tech offering was primitive for a luxury SUV.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included Buckle to Drive, following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2021 Lexus GX also had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which offered forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.