2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Buick Envista

The 2024 Buick Envista, while sharing its platform with the Chevy Trax, took a distinct styling path. Its sloping roofline gave it a "crossover coupe" appearance, a design choice previously reserved for larger, pricier models like the BMW X4 and X6. Although a more traditional roofline might have enhanced rear visibility, the Envista's design was deemed acceptable. The front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with thin daytime running lights above and real headlights positioned vertically beside the grille. This sleek design was a first for Buick, setting the Envista apart from models like the Envision and Encore GX. The ST grade boasted black exterior trim and 18-inch wheels, while the top-tier Avenir featured bright trim and standard 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Envista's cabin, similar to the Trax, offered a smoother, more streamlined look with softer materials, though some textures felt artificial. Despite this, the Envista's interior was a step up from the Trax, aligning with its entry-level status.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, aside from the low-volume Celestiq EV, was Cadillac's largest and most expensive offering. Since its debut in 1999, the Escalade had become synonymous with Cadillac luxury, replacing models like the Fleetwoods and DeVilles. The 2025 redesign further distinguished it from its platform-sharing siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL. The most notable exterior change was a new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade with Cadillac's EVs. The headlights were large vertical bars, complemented by smaller horizontal daytime running lights. At the rear, the Escalade retained its tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. For the first time, 24-inch wheels were available, enhancing the vehicle's imposing presence. Inside, Cadillac masked the Escalade's shared platform with a screen-centric interior, featuring a 55-inch OLED display spanning the dashboard. The Escalade offered various trim levels, with the Sport models featuring darkened trim and mesh grilles. The Premium Luxury Platinum models added an illuminated Cadillac crest and grille surround, while the Escalade-V boasted a supercharged V8 engine.

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 base models featured a torsion-beam rear suspension, while models with 19-inch wheels had a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension, enhancing ride quality. The front suspension was a MacPherson strut setup, with Buick-specific bushings and damper tuning. The Envista handled road imperfections well, though it felt unsettled on less-than-perfect straightaways. Despite this, the Envista provided a more premium feel than the Trax, with quieter acceleration and a comfortable ride.

For the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac discontinued the Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine, leaving the naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 as the sole option. This engine delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, though it fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's twin-turbo V6. The Escalade-V featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models were equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering a balance of low and high ratios for efficient performance. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive optional on most models. The Escalade-V had a performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system. Most trims included an electronic rear limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on all but the base Luxury grade, though the Escalade's handling couldn't match that of a Range Rover or BMW X7. The V8 provided quick acceleration, but the brakes lacked confidence, with Brembo six-piston front calipers available as part of a performance package.

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 more spacious feel. However, the coupe-like roofline resulted in slightly reduced headroom, particularly for second-row passengers. 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 old Encore and the Chevy Trax.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade was available in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the Escalade ESV offering a 13.2-inch longer wheelbase and a 15.1-inch increase in overall length. This primarily benefited cargo space and third-row legroom, which increased by 1.7 inches in the ESV. The Escalade offered ample space inside, with best-in-class first-row headroom and legroom. The standard-length model provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 72.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet behind the front seats. ESV models further expanded cargo space to 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 94.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and 142.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The Escalade's towing capacity was 8,100 pounds for the standard model and 8,000 pounds for the ESV, comparable to rivals like the Range Rover and Lexus LX.

The 2024 Buick Envista came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster, along with 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 and retained buttons and knobs for climate and audio. However, the center stack's tilt toward the driver made controls a bit of a reach for the front-seat passenger. The Envista didn't offer a head-up display, and wireless phone charging was optional on all but the top Avenir trim.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured a 55-inch door-to-door display, incorporating a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. Climate controls were handled by a separate touchscreen with a rotary dial. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available, along with an augmented-reality head-up display and night vision. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy-to-decipher icons and a traditional steering wheel. The optional Executive Second Row Package included 12.6-inch screens, dual wireless device chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera system. GM-specific features included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, teen-driver monitoring, and Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system. Super Cruise had improved since previous tests, though the handoff to manual control was abrupt. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.