Porsche Cayenne vs Buick Envision

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, presenting a lower and wider stance that gave it a more premium crossover appearance. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, showcased a sculpted look that was more refined than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, though not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut, featuring upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels. Inside, the Avenir boasted leather-appointed seating with diamond perforated inserts and a head-up display, while all Envisions came with LED lighting and a driver-centric cabin design.

In contrast, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available as a standard SUV or a sporty Coupe, with trim levels ranging from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT. The GTS trim, which was the focus of our review, featured high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The interior of the Cayenne was highly customizable, with options for different colors, trims, and even seat belts. While the base model offered standard features like eight-way power-adjustable seats and two-zone climate control, higher trims like the GTS included a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. Despite its luxurious offerings, the Cayenne could only accommodate five passengers, but it provided ample headroom and a towing capacity of over 7,700 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Although the engine was less powerful than its predecessor, the Envision's weight reduction of 200 to 300 pounds improved its fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway for FWD models. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but not particularly engaging, with a typical GM drive mode selector that offered a noticeable change in revs when switched to Sport mode.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, on the other hand, offered a range of powerful engines, including a base 3.0-liter V6 with 348 horsepower and a GTS trim with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 producing 493 horsepower. The GTS could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 171 mph. The Cayenne's steering was precise, borrowing components from the Turbo GT, and its active suspension and Pirelli P Zero tires contributed to its agile handling. The GTS also featured optional carbon ceramic brakes, providing ample stopping power. The Cayenne's drive modes, including Sport and Sport Plus, enhanced its performance, while Normal mode offered a comfortable commuting experience.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign resulted in a cabin with less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room compared to its predecessor, despite a longer wheelbase. Rear-seat passengers experienced a reduction in legroom and hip room, making the Envision less adult-friendly. The cargo space was also reduced, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls, but the Envision offered standard features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, while not offering a third row, provided a comfortable second row with ample headroom. The Cayenne's cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 27.3 cubic feet behind the second row and over 60 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Coupe version offered less space, with 20.9 cubic feet behind the second row. The Cayenne's interior was highly customizable, with options for different materials and features, but many of these came at an additional cost.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, responsive to touch and displaying necessary functionalities. The driver could access station and song information faster on the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard tech features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with the Porsche Communication Management system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne also featured a head-up display, night-vision assist, and four high-speed USB-C charging ports, along with a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered standard safety features like forward-collision alert, lane change alert, and automatic emergency braking. The Avenir models included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist, but the Envision lacked GM's Super Cruise and lane-centering technology.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne included standard safety features like parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, but adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not available for testing, and the Cayenne had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.