2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2026 Buick Envista

The 2026 Buick Envista was available in three trim levels: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir, with prices ranging from $26,495 to $31,295, including a $1,795 destination charge. The Sport Touring Studio Series test vehicle had no additional options and was priced at $31,855, including destination. The Envista's design was striking, with a trendy Ceramic paint option, although the interior revealed its affordability through the use of plastic, fake leather, and hard seats. The vehicle's lack of refinement was evident in the noises from the center armrest, turn signal stalk, and transmission shifter, reminding drivers of its budget-friendly nature.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that retained its upright stance and large windows but introduced a new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks without compromising the elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer featured a modern design with strong horizontal lines and a 12-inch infotainment screen. The seats were comfortable and highly adjustable, making long drives pleasant. The cabin's premium materials, including Nappa and Palermo leather, added to the luxurious feel, and the overall fit and finish were rated highly.

The 2026 Buick Envista was powered by a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered only front-wheel drive. The Envista's base curb weight was 3,137 pounds, resulting in sluggish performance and subpar fuel efficiency. Turbo lag was noticeable, making it challenging to navigate traffic smoothly. Over 300 miles, the Envista averaged 28.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 30 mpg combined. The six-speed automatic transmission and cornering grip of the Sport Touring Studio Series model's 19-inch wheels were positives, but steering and braking were rudimentary, and the ride quality remained unsettled.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in a vehicle weighing about 6,000 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, offering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and absorbed road imperfections well. The cabin was quiet, and the seats were comfortable for long journeys.

The 2026 Buick Envista offered easy entry and exit due to its higher seating position, although rear-seat passengers needed to be cautious of the sloping roofline. The interior featured basic single-zone automatic climate control, with effective air conditioning. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were available on higher trims. The front seats were hard but supportive, with power adjustment for the driver. Storage space was decent, but unlined surfaces caused items to rattle. Rear-seat passengers found the Envista accommodating, with generous legroom and a comfortable backrest angle. Cargo space was 20.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 42 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, offering three rows with ample leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for seating up to eight passengers. The third row was surprisingly spacious, accommodating three people comfortably. Cargo space was 27.9 cubic feet with the third row in use, expanding to 42.6 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. It featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated front seats. The Upland trim included Quadra-Lift air suspension and off-road features.

The 2026 Buick Envista featured an 8-inch digital driver display and an 11-inch touchscreen housed within a single trapezoidal glass surface. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless smartphone charging was available with the Studio Series upgrade. OnStar Basics connected services were free for eight years. The six-speaker audio system was adequate, with steering wheel controls for volume and tuning.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. It also featured a hands-free power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate controls, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system, and four-zone climate controls. The wireless phone charger had issues with overheating, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size.

The 2026 Buick Envista offered basic driver-assistance tech, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. The Studio Series Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Envista received a Poor rating from the IIHS for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and a Marginal headlight rating. It also received a Poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also featured intersection-collision assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a driver-attention monitor. Available features included automated parking assist and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in crash tests.