2025 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 Buick Envista

The 2024 Buick Envista, while sharing its platform with the Chevy Trax, ventured into a distinct styling direction. Its sloping roofline gave it a "crossover coupe" appearance, a design previously reserved for larger, more luxurious vehicles like the BMW X4 and X6. Although a more traditional roofline might have improved rear visibility, the Envista's design was deemed acceptable. The coupe-like profile was complemented by a new front-end styling inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featuring a split lighting design with thin daytime running lights above and real headlights positioned vertically alongside the grille. This sleek arrangement, reminiscent of models like the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Cherokee, was executed with a pointed, shark-nose prow, making the Envista stand out. The interior, while similar to the Trax, offered a smoother, more streamlined look with softer materials, though some textures felt cheap. Despite this, the Envista's cabin was a step up from the Trax, maintaining its entry-level vehicle status.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, boasted classic design proportions. Its blunt nose, short front overhang, and tapered roofline created an alluring silhouette, though it compromised third-row passenger space. The Aviator's design leaned more towards a sports wagon than an SUV, but the 2025 styling updates were seen as less elegant. Inside, the Aviator offered a plush interior with a classic architectural sensibility, avoiding the screen-heavy approach of other Lincoln models. However, the remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its cheap feel. The Aviator was available in Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with our test vehicle in Reserve trim featuring optional all-wheel drive and several packages, bringing its MSRP to $83,550. The Reserve II Package added numerous desirable features, including upgraded lighting, 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2024 Buick Envista was powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This powertrain, shared with the Trax, delivered a refined performance, offering smooth power delivery akin to a larger engine. Unlike its predecessor, the Buick Encore, the Envista did not offer an all-wheel-drive option, differentiating it from the Encore GX. The Envista featured a torsion-beam rear suspension on base models, while models with 19-inch wheels received a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension for improved ride quality. The front suspension was a MacPherson strut setup with Buick-specific tuning. On Michigan's weathered roads, the Envista's Watts Link-equipped ST model handled bumps well but felt unsettled on imperfect straightaways. Despite this, the Envista provided a quieter and more comfortable ride than the Trax, aligning with Buick's brand image.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the rear or all four wheels. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, including Excite and Normal, with adaptive air suspension firming up in Excite mode. The Aviator excelled in acceleration, swiftly downshifting for passing maneuvers, though its fuel economy was disappointing at 17.7 mpg during testing. The Aviator provided clear sightlines, aided by thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors. In urban settings, the ride was pleasant, but larger bumps were felt due to the heavy 22-inch wheels. On freeways, the adaptive air suspension struggled to filter road imperfections, though the Aviator remained quiet inside. The Dynamic Handling Package did not enhance the Aviator's driving character, but the Air Glide suspension ensured a composed and calming ride, aligning with Lincoln's purpose.

The 2024 Buick Envista was 14.2 inches longer than the outgoing Buick Encore, with a 5.7-inch wheelbase stretch. This increase in size contributed to a more fashion-forward design and improved interior space. Rear-seat legroom grew by three inches, and shoulder room increased by about two inches in both rows, creating a less-claustrophobic feeling. However, headroom decreased slightly, especially in the second row, due to the coupe-like roofline. The seats were comfortable for the price point, and the car-like design offered good outward visibility. Cargo space was limited, with 20.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 42 cubic feet with the seats folded, less than the Trax and the old Encore.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered exceptional comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, featuring 30-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with heating and ventilation, but lacked massage functions. The third-row seats were less accommodating, with low cushions and tight legroom, suitable for children but not adults. Storage space was excellent, with a well-organized center console and deep door panel storage pockets. The Aviator provided 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 78.6 cubic feet, offering practical storage for a luxury SUV.

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 user interface was similar to the Trax, with easy-to-use controls, though the center stack's tilt favored the driver. Optional tech features were limited, with wireless phone charging available on all but the top Avenir trim. Despite its entry-level status, the Envista offered an impressive amount of features for its price range.

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 technology. It included Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts during testing. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided excellent audio quality. The available head-up display offered a widescreen presentation of data, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and rear park assist, similar to the Chevy Trax.

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